Top News:
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Jordan Montgomery nails down the No. 5 spot in Yankees rotation — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Jordan Montgomery has taken the fifth. — The second-year lefty was the presumptive favorite to round out the Yankees' starting rotation to open 2018, but manager Aaron Boone made it official …
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Sonny Gray and Gary Sanchez working close together in Yankees spring together — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Sonny Gray and Gary Sanchez have been sort of inseparable at Yankees camp, with the idea of getting them as comfortable as possible together. — Every starter loves Sanchez's difference-making power …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees roster questions: Tyler Wade over Gleyber Torres? Miguel Andujar or Brandon Drury? — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - More than midway through Yankees camp, there are still a few more roster questions than answers as the 2018 season approaches. — So, with just under three weeks …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Sonny Gray can be the pitcher who puts Yankees over the top — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - When the lists are compiled for the most important Yankees heading into the 2018 season, Sonny Gray's name usually falls several notches below Giancarlo Stanton and several of his marquee returning teammates.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Alex Wilson headed back to Detroit Tigers' bullpen — LAKELAND, Fla. — Alex Wilson's audition for a starting rotation spot is over. — As expected, the Tigers will deploy Wilson — one of their most reliable relievers for the past three seasons — out of the bullpen this season, manager Ron Gardenhire said on Friday afternoon.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer strong in return, no say on Opening Day — The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice. First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too. Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' rally to help strength coach recovering from cancer — Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann and his wife Jessica recently welcomed twin baby boys Christian Thomas and Kane Timothy McCann to their family. The boys are doing well and enjoying their first Detroit Tigers Spring Training in Lakeland Florida.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Tigers Agree To Minor League Deal With Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
From Harvey's revival to Thor's heat, all things remain possible for Mets' talented but fragile rotation — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — You don't get a lot of sizzle-reel moments in spring training, so when they happen, they tend to stand out. — There was one such sequence last week …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Steven Matz finally pitches himself into Mets rotation battle with four scoreless innings — LAKELAND, Fla. - Steven Matz has finally found some confidence in his fastball. — The conviction that the Mets lefty was lacking his first two starts of spring, came back to him Friday.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Kevin Plawecki continues to impress in spring training, will get more starts in 2018 season — LAKELAND, Fla. — Kevin Plawecki is apparently earning a lot more playing time with his performance this spring. The catcher who has mostly backed up Travis d'Arnaud has impressed the new staff enough …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Nate Jones looks like early leader in White Sox closer's battle — Chicago Tribune — The battle for White Sox closer's job could go down to the final days of camp, and manager Rick Renteria isn't tipping his hand between Nate Jones and Joakim Soria. — “We're looking at guys that have done …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Coming attractions a mixed bag at White Sox camp — Chicago Tribune — The three most important players at White Sox camp had a difficult 24-hour stretch leading into Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres. — Top prospect Eloy Jimenez was out with left knee tendinitis …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Norris is on course for bullpen duty — • The Cardinals could have eight relievers, to go with five starters, when their season starts March 29. And newcomer Bud Norris will be among the former group, manager Mike Matheny said before the Cardinals' 4-2 exhibition loss to the Houston Astros on Friday night.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mikolas gives Cardinals what they had hoped to see — • If there was an at-bat where Miles Mikolas' spring was going to pivot in the direction he and the Cardinals insisted or plunge anew into anxiety, it came Friday against one of the best players in the game at one of the biggest moments in the game.
Martin Gallegos / Orlando Sentinel:
Report: A's sign catcher Eustis native Jonathan Lucroy — East Bay Times — The A's dipped into free agency to grab All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who reportedly will sign a one-year deal with Oakland. — MLB.com's Jane Lee reported the A's are bringing in the 31-year-old to help solve …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Oakland A's agree to one-year deal with Jonathan Lucroy, sources say
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Gabe Kapler is joined in dugout by a baseball lifer in Rob Thomson | Matt Breen — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Gabe Kapler sat Friday afternoon behind the protective netting just past the Phillies' on-deck circle. To his left — during all nine innings of a loss to Pittsburgh - was Rob Thomson …
ESPN:
Shohei Ohtani admits ‘adjustments need to be made’ after rough start — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani gave up six runs in a shaky three-inning start Friday in a “B” game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros. — Ohtani, 23, was scheduled for 60 pitches in four innings, but he reached 64 pitches after only three.
Ronald Blum / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
NEW YORK • Facebook is getting deeper into the professional sports streaming game, partnering with Major League Baseball to air 25 weekday afternoon games, including a Cardinals game in April, in an exclusive deal. — The games will be available to Facebook users in the U.S. on Facebook Watch …
Dan Caesar / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals spring games not a big TV draw — Regular-season Cardinals telecasts are a ratings magnet, as Fox Sports Midwest's productions often are the best-rated show of the day on St. Louis prime-time television. — But the relaxed atmosphere of spring training has carried over to TV viewership …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs counting on new coach Will Venable being able to relate to players — Chicago Tribune — As Will Venable shifts from the spacious batting cages to a crowd of young outfielders, the nights of cramming for an anthropology exam or guarding the likes of Kirk Hinrich, J.J. Redick and Steve Blake seem so distant.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: After all these years, longtime Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes still gets butterflies — Chicago Tribune — Getting ready for his first Cactus League broadcast of the season recently at Sloan Park, Cubs radio broadcaster Pat Hughes insisted he had butterflies.
