Top News:
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Reliever Robbie Ross wants to reward White Sox for taking a chance on him — Chicago Tribune — Robbie Ross still has the baseball he used to record his first major-league strikeout on Aug. 8, 2012. — It happened while the left-hander was a member of the Rangers and it came …
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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
More confident Yoan Moncada tells White Sox he wants to be leadoff hitter — Chicago Tribune — Set to embark on his first full season as the White Sox second baseman, Yoan Moncada is in a much better place when it comes to expressing his opinions about where he should bat in the lineup than he was a year ago.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Carson Fulmer starts for White Sox vs. Padres; left-hander Robbie Ross signs
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune, South Side Sox and Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Blue Jays manager doesn't expect Tulowitzki OK for opener — DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says he isn't counting on having shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the lineup for opening day. — Tulowitzki has been slowed by a bone spur in his right heel and hasn't played in any spring training games.
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Stroman, Tulo are still big question marks for Blue Jays — CLEARWATER, Fla. — It's nearing the half-way point at spring training and Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is getting half-way sick of talking to the media twice a day. — For sure, some of the questions directed Gibbons …
Associated Press:
Stats don't tell whole story of struggling Cardinals rotation — JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Early inconsistent outings from St. Louis starting pitchers don't have manager Mike Matheny pushing the panic button. — The statistics, he says, don't tell the whole story.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals cut seven, give Schafer a chance to make call on pitching — JUPITER, Fla. • What began as a long shot because the Cardinals and Jordan Schafer weren't sure exactly how a player could be both a lefty specialist and an outfielder got even tougher when Schafer's elbow gave way …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Jon Lester tackles throwing to bases one bounce at a time — Chicago Tribune — Jon Lester's first hide-your-eyes throwing error of the spring occurred Sunday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, reminding everyone of his glaring inability to throw to bases.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs' Jon Lester's answer to head-scratching throwing problems: Be like Mike — Sign-Up for our Newsletter … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Three years later, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester still can't throw to first base. — Not by any typical baseball definition anyway.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Athletics designate Brandon Moss for assignment, claim Jairo Labourt off waivers from Reds — The Oakland Athletics designated outfielder Brandon Moss for assignment on Sunday and claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. — Moss, 34, was acquired by the A's …
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Wilson fighting for starting rotation spot — Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It's been a spring of change for Alex Wilson.
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Detroit Free Press:
What happened — The Detroit Tigers lost to the Washington Nationals, 6-2. ... Alex Wilson started and pitched well before the third inning, when he allowed four straight men to reach with two outs. ... Jim Adduci recorded two hits. ... Jeimer Candelario delivered another opposite-field extra-base hit. ...
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Starter or reliever? Detroit Tigers preparing Buck Farmer for bullpen
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Bob Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
As Shohei Ohtani attempts to make history, a hand from Albert Pujols would help — SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs. Recent history suggests otherwise. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — TEMPE, Ariz. - It hasn't been done in 99 years …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Giancarlo Stanton's initial struggles in left not an issue for Yankees' manager — TAMPA, Fla. - Out in left field, nothing much went right for Giancarlo Stanton. — Racing after the first two fly balls hit his way, Stanton lost both in the sun. The wind was whipping, too …
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Adam Baum / Cincinnati.com:
Rough spring training outing for Cincinnati Reds' Anthony DeSclafani won't deter optimism — Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani had a rough second outing in spring training Sunday, allowing three earned runs on five hits in two innings against the Kansas City Royals The Enquirer/Adam Baum
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs reliever Justin Wilson hopes to rewrite the script — Chicago Tribune — Left-handed reliever Justin Wilson had a difficult time last summer after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline. — The Cubs had hoped Wilson would replace Wade Davis as closer in 2018 …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Ex-Orioles pitcher Sammy Stewart, who fell on hard times, dies at 63 — Former Baltimore pitcher Sammy Stewart, who helped the Orioles win the 1983 World Series before falling into a life of crack cocaine addiction and arrests, has died. He was 63. — The Henderson County Sheriff's Office …
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Returning from second TJ surgery would be one impressive feat for Eovaldi — TAMPA - There's no question what kind of physical shape Rays pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is in as he works his way back to the majors after a second Tommy John surgery. — “He comes from the Nolan Ryan school of baseball …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Rotation candidate Gabriel Ynoa was neither lucky nor good in 10-8 O's victory over Red Sox — Orioles fifth starter candidate Gabriel Ynoa drew the short straw on Sunday afternoon. — Ynoa is competing for a spot in the Orioles regular season starting rotation and he was pitching at Ed Smith Stadium …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Jimmy Rollins wants to retire as a Phillie, but only his way — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jimmy Rollins put on a pinstriped Phillies jersey Sunday for the first time in nearly four years. Rollins, at Spectrum Field for a ceremony to honor the 2008 world champions, had not returned to the Phillies since he was traded after the 2014 season.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … With Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray at the top and no real weak spot beyond that, the Diamondbacks might reasonably believe their rotation has a chance to be the best in the National League. The only concern is what comes after them.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Journal: Mallex shows off, a Roe v. Wade reference and a Maris sighting — TAMPA — The Rays are talking about giving Mallex Smith the opportunity to play regularly in leftfield. — In Sunday's 9-1 win over the Yankees, he showed why he could earn it, rapping three hits …
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets' Steven Matz has allowed five runs in both spring training starts — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The saying goes that results don't matter in spring training, but Steven Matz isn't shrugging off his pair of five-run outings to start camp. — Matz yielded five runs in 2/3 innings …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
One pitch leads to three unlikely paths to Phillies' bullpen — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mark Leiter Jr. was in the middle of a college start, a long way from the major leagues, when he first decided to throw his splitter. Hector Neris fired his first splitter just before the Phillies signed him to a contract he thought he'd never see.
