Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Waino dazzling in five innings against Astros — Yes, it was only for five innings and, yes, it was an exhibition game. But the step by step progression of the 36-year-old Wainwright this spring has been palpable after critics and even supporters had wondered in the off-season what might …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Voit keeps his catcher's mitt ready in case of ‘emergency, emergency, emergency’ — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • With a bloated bag and bartered mitt, Cardinals first baseman Luke Voit headed to the batting cage early Wednesday morning. He was not going to find his swing. — That came later.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Longtime aces Wainwright, Verlander clash — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • The Cardinals get their second crack in five days at Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander on Wednesday. Last Friday, Verlander struck out eight Cardinals in five innings, allowing only a home run by Paul DeJong.
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards break out with 11 runs in two innings
Discussion:
Associated Press and Viva El Birdos
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Neil Walker gets his timing down at Yankees' minor-league camp — New Yankee Neil Walker hits his second double of the day in a minor league camp game Pete Caldera/NorthJersey.com — TAMPA, Fla. - Neil Walker spent Wednesday afternoon at the Yankees' minor-league complex, getting four at-bats …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com
RELATED:
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Here's how little Yankees are paying the Baby Bombers — TAMPA — Aaron Judge is coming off a season in which he led the American League in homers, but he won't be leading the league in salary anytime soon. The AL Rookie of the Year is set to make $622,300 with the Yankees this season, according to the Associated Press Thursday.
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com and Pinstripe Alley
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees release veteran Adam Lind from minor-league contract
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Extra innings to start with runner at 2nd base in minors — Extra innings throughout the minor leagues will start with a runner at second base. — In addition, the pitch clock that began at Triple-A and Double-A in 2015 will be lowered from 20 seconds to 15 when there are no runners on base …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Minor League Baseball announces rules changes to go into effect in 2018 — Minor League Baseball announced three rules changes Wednesday that will go into effect for the 2018 season. — The most drastic change will come in extra innings, where a runner will be placed on second every inning beginning in the 10th.
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes sidelined after receiving cortisone injection for injury — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes' wrist isn't a minor issue anymore. — The outfielder received a cortisone shot in his right wrist Tuesday according to the Mets, and will now rest to let it heal.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and USA Today
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Martin Prado still recovering from knee surgery, will start year on DL — MIAMI — The Marlins say third baseman Martin Prado will begin the season on the disabled list while he recovers from right knee surgery. — Hamstring and knee injuries limited Prado to 37 games last year …
RELATED:
Andre C. Fernandez / miamiherald:
This Marlins starting infielder suffers setback, and he won't be ready for Opening Day
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Carlos Gonzalez: ‘Proud’ to play 10 years in Colorado, OK with free-agency try — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Gonzalez says he has no regrets about his first voyage into free agency. — “I'm glad I'm back. I'm wearing the same uniform I've been wearing for the last nine seasons …
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Eloy Jimenez among 8 White Sox trimmed from major-league camp — Chicago Tribune — The Eloy Jimenez Show has been moved to the back fields of Camelback Ranch. — The White Sox's top prospect was among eight players trimmed from the major-league camp Wednesday.
RELATED:
NBC Sports Chicago / MLB Baseball News …:
Eloy Jimenez and other prospects sent to minors as White Sox make latest round of spring roster cuts
Discussion:
South Side Sox and Chicago Tribune
Chelsea Janes / Chicago Tribune:
As Nationals reassign Bryan Harper, could Bryce's brother still break into majors this year? — The Washington Post — No one expected Bryan Harper, brother of Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper, to crack the Nationals' opening day roster. That he played well enough to earn …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
ESPN:
Brewers C Stephen Vogt not expected back for Opening Day — The Brewers are not expected to have catcher Stephen Vogt for Opening Day after a second opinion on his ailing right shoulder revealed a strained capsule. — Vogt, 33, will be shut down indefinitely.
Mike Puma / New York Post:
A Juan Lagares trade is looking more and more possible — PORT ST. LUCIE — The planets are aligning, so much so that Juan Lagares could begin the season with another team. — According to industry sources, the Mets have received recent phone calls about the former Gold Glove winner and haven't ruled out the idea of trading him.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Willie Waits
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
John Middleton's Phillies will never be cheap | Bob Brookover — The optic was not good, but it belied the truth. Yes, the Phillies arrived in spring training with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball and that is not where they belong. — Early in spring training …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Tim Lincecum on legacy, loss and identity: ‘I realized I care about baseball so much’ — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Tim Lincecum climbs into his black Porsche Turbo 911 this early afternoon, pulls out of the Texas Rangers' parking lot, drives past the security checkpoint, and there they are, waiting for him.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller encouraged by mound session — Diamondbacks right-hander Shelby Miller went into his bullpen session on Tuesday with low expectations. He came away surprised by how good he felt. — “I thought I'd maybe be a little shaky with my command,” …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon applauds student protesters: 'You've got to listen to them' — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs start the season in Miami in two weeks, and manager Joe Maddon said he's planning something special with his charitable foundation, Respect 90, to honor the Parkland, Fla. community.
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Carson Fulmer takes mound for White Sox vs. Brewers — Chicago Tribune — Carson Fulmer got another opportunity to secure his place in the starting rotation when the White Sox faced the Brewers in Cactus League play Wednesday at Maryvale Baseball Park. — The right-hander did not fare …
ESPN:
Zack Greinke leaves Diamondbacks game with right groin tightness — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke left Wednesday's spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds with right groin tightness. — Greinke allowed one hit and zero runs, striking out two, in one inning before departing.
