Top News:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Smart baserunning from speedy Arozarena sends Cardinals ahead — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • After watching four consecutive doughnuts hit the scoreboard Saturday, the Cardinals turned to speed. — Randy Arozarena delivered, sliding home headfirst in a cloud of chalk dust.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pitchers combine to one-hit split-squad Braves in win — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • Cardinals starter Luke Weaver got things rolling with 4.1 scoreless innings, holding the Braves to just one hit. — His fellow pitchers were stingier. — After Weaver, five Redbird relievers …
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pitchers combine to one-hit Braves in win — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • Cardinals starter Luke Weaver got the ball rolling with 4.1 scoreless innings, holding the Braves to just one hit. — The teammates who followed him to the mound were stingier.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ozuna sidesteps scare, Cardinals leave bases loaded — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • The Cardinals loaded the bases but could not take advantage in the second inning of Saturday afternoon's Grapefruit League game against the Braves at Champion Stadium on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals take 3-0 lead against Braves — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • Offense had been scarce at Champion Stadium on Saturday, so Paul DeJong's line drive against Braves reliever Peter Moylan jumped out. — The Cardinals and Braves had combined for six hits (five by the Cardinals) …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yoenis Cespedes laughs off wrist injury as he nears return, but keeping players healthy is no joke for Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes couldn't help himself. After an obvious question about his first at-bats since having a cortisone shot in his right wrist, the Mets slugger joked that he was done.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets think Jason Vargas will be ready for start of season despite hand injury — PORT ST. LUCIE - Jason Vargas is not concerned about being ready for Opening Day. — The left-hander was sore Saturday after taking a line drive off the bottom of his right hand in a minor-league game Friday.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge likely won't play any left field for Yankees this season — LAKELAND - Aaron Judge played five innings in left field during a Class A minor-league game on Saturday. Judge caught the only fly ball hit to him. — Based on what Aaron Boone said Saturday, though …
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Associated Press:
Manny Machado: Aaron Judge's nudge to join Yankees no big deal — SARASOTA, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado says that a recruiting pitch by Yankees star Aaron Judge was no big deal. — “I think it was just blown out of proportion,” Machado said.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and ESPN
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Justin Hancock and Anthony Bass making late bids for spot in Cubs bullpen — Chicago Tribune — Justin Hancock left a strong impression on manager Joe Maddon that could help his chances of earning a spot on the Cubs' opening day roster. — Hancock, a non-roster invitee …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish gets a taste of hitting and baserunning against White Sox
Mark Gonzales / Sacramento Bee:
Cubs starters set sights on surpassing ‘outstanding’ 2016 results
Cubs starters set sights on surpassing ‘outstanding’ 2016 results
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and Phillies Nation
Keith Jenkins / Cincinnati.com:
Scott Schebler leads Cincinnati Reds over San Francisco Giants — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A day after advocating for a spot in the everyday lineup, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Scott Schebler made another strong case for himself. — Schebler, who started in center field and batted fourth Saturday …
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Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
Jorge Soler has gone unnoticed in outfield this spring. Here's why that's a good thing — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The work took place in blocks, long before the first pitch of a Cactus League ballgame here was ever played this spring. — Before the demotion to Class AAA Omaha …
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Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
In first spring game, Royals' Moustakas felt weird facing Hosmer but good at plate
In first spring game, Royals' Moustakas felt weird facing Hosmer but good at plate
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
No discomfort as Cubs second baseman Javier Baez returns to action — Chicago Tribune — Javier Baez quickly shook off any signs of rust Saturday at Sloan Park in his first game since suffering a left hamstring cramp on March 8. — Baez moved laterally with ease as he made a backhanded …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mickey Callaway: Wilmer Flores playing left field can be ‘huge’ for Mets lineup — WEST PALM BEACH — Wilmer Flores was anxious. The natural infielder waited and waited. With the glove Yoenis Cespedes had gotten for him two years ago, Flores made his first play in left field in the fourth inning …
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Eugenio Suarez's deal is ideal for the Cincinnati Reds — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The first thing that jumps out about Eugenio Suarez's contract to me is that it tops out at $11 million a year. — That's a very good living, but it's cheap in today's baseball. To wit: Twelve third baseman make more than $11 million this year.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Batting second for your Texas Rangers ... Joey Gallo? — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Joey Gallo is 6-foot-5, and within his 255 pounds are layers of muscle that help contribute to his jaw-dropping power and home runs that frequently land 450 feet away. — Now, take that image …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — At Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla. — What happened: The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees, 9-3. ... Matthew Boyd struggled early but recovered nicely. Boyd told reporters he was dealing with flu-like symptoms. ... Boyd allowed two earned runs over three-plus innings. ...
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Altuve, Astros add $151 million to contract — A person familiar with the negotiations says American League MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros have agreed to a contract that guarantees him an additional $151 million over five seasons from 2020-24.
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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Altuve agrees to extension with Astros
Altuve agrees to extension with Astros
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Comeback