Top News:
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets set to use Jeurys Familia as primary closer in his walk year — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jeurys Familia just couldn't bring himself to watch the Mets each night while he rehabbed from surgery last year. It would have been too painful. — He yearned to be out there manning the ninth inning …
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Associated Press:
New Mets manager Callaway undaunted by early spring injuries — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New Mets manager Mickey Callaway says his team took precautionary steps before this current rash of bumps and bruises cropped up. — Starting right fielder Jay Bruce is day-to-day with a bout of plantar fasciitis …
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Freak sprinkler accident takes down Tim Tebow
Freak sprinkler accident takes down Tim Tebow
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, ProFootballTalk and MLB Baseball News …
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Yoenis Cespedes is the bat Mets can't do without
Jay Paris / Associated Press:
Kevin Towers remembered for his love of baseball and people — Theo Epstein remembered when he first met Kevin Towers, as a 21-year-old intern working in the San Diego Padres public relations department. Towers was the new general manager. — “I was just out of college,” said Epstein …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Eric Hosmer bids classy farewell to Kansas City fans with newspaper ad — Although he's now a member of the San Diego Padres after signing an eight-year, $144 million contract as a free agent, Eric Hosmer has already built up a career worth of fond memories with the Kansas City Royals.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Michael Kopech focused on expanding repertoire in quest to become White Sox starter — Chicago Tribune — This much we know: Michael Kopech can throw a baseball very fast. — The right-hander hits 100 mph on the radar gun with regularity and is sure to unleash his blazing fastball …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Following a season in which he performed like one of the best and most dominant starters in baseball, Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray isn't hoping to repeat his success. He's looking to build on it. — “That was just kind of the floor,” Ray said.
RELATED:
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Associated Press:
After allowing HR, Giants' Madison Bumgarner sharp in spring debut — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first man to bat against San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner Sunday hit a wind-aided, opposite-field home run. Bumgarner was overpowering after that in his spring training debut against the Chicago Cubs …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Former Cubs great Rick Sutcliffe understands 200-inning debate — Chicago Tribune — As a former workhorse pitcher, Rick Sutcliffe can vividly recall his desire to pitch at least 200 innings a season, as Cubs ace Jon Lester and his fellow starters continue to push for.
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Associated Press:
Aaron Nola to start Opening Day for Phillies, but would yield to veteran — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Gabe Kapler figured why wait? Aaron Nola will be his first Opening Day starter as Philadelphia Phillies manager. — “Barring anything crazy happening, he's our guy.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and ESPN
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — Artie Lewicki hit the proverbial wall. — He was cruising through the Pittsburgh Pirates' order early in Sunday's Grapefruit League game at Joker Marchant Stadium when the early spring workload and unusually hot weather caught up with him. Likely a little bit of adrenaline, too.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Tim Tebow sprains ankle after running over sprinkler head — Tim Tebow is nursing a left-ankle sprain after running over a sprinkler head in the outfield at the New York Mets' spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. — The former Florida quarterback, one of 15 non-roster invitees …
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays vs. Blue Jays, with Cron swinging, Archer flinging — After their annual meeting with players union chief Tony Clark and other officials - and with probably more to talk about than usual - this morning, the Rays will host the Blue Jays at 1:
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La Velle E. Neal III / Star Tribune:
Union chief Tony Clark says players more willing to help speed up games
Union chief Tony Clark says players more willing to help speed up games
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Arthur Weinstein / Sporting News:
Red Sox, J.D. Martinez contract signing delayed by language — The Red Sox are apparently still tweaking the language in J.D. Martinez's contract and are not worried about the slugger's current physical condition. — Since news broke last week that the two sides had reached …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, baseballmusings.com and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Red Sox plan to officially introduce J.D. Martinez on Monday, reports say
Red Sox plan to officially introduce J.D. Martinez on Monday, reports say
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Boston Globe, FanRag Sports and Over the Monster
ESPN:
Cardinals' Daniel Poncedeleon continues comeback, returned to mound Sunday — The box score shows that Daniel Poncedeleon pitched two innings of three-hit, one-run ball for the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday against the Houston Astros. — The box score doesn't begin to tell the story …
Tim Healey / Sacramento Bee:
Marlins' Braxton Lee, a sometimes-forgotten outfield prospect, has always been an underdog — Braxton Lee is an underdog. He knows he is an underdog. He has always been an underdog. — But now, as a 24-year-old center fielder in his first major league spring training, Lee is an underdog on the cusp of making it to the bigs.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mikolas has a rough debut for Cards — JUPITER, Fla. • Miles Mikolas, a Jupiter native signed for $15.5 million for two years after pitching three seasons in Japan, didn't have the picture-book Cardinals debut he might have imagined Sunday. He allowed six runs and seven hits …
Alec Brzezinski / Sporting News:
MLB free agent news: Twins sign Logan Morrison after 38-home run season — The Twins signed Logan Morrison to a one-year contract Sunday, with a vesting option for a second year, according to Fox Sports. — Morrison will make $6 million in 2018, with a possible vesting option driving …
Discussion:
USA Today, NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Twins reportedly sign slugging first baseman Logan Morrison
Twins reportedly sign slugging first baseman Logan Morrison
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Prospectus and AaronGleeman.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon sees early signs of Cubs defense getting back to 2016 form — Chicago Tribune — After the Cubs regressed on defense last season, manager Joe Maddon has noticed a refreshed approach in spring training resembling the sharpness of 2016. — “On any given day …
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw retires 3 Mariners as Seager brothers battle for 1st time — PEORIA, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw's spring debut was quick and efficient. — The Los Angeles Dodgers ace retired the Seattle Mariners' first three hitters on 11 pitches on Sunday.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Why Rangers' Matt Bush needs to add this third pitch to his repertoire — SURPRISE, Ariz. — As part of the transition from reliever to starter, the Rangers want Matt Bush to throw more changeups than he has in the past. — OK, one game down, and he's done that.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball