Top News:
Associated Press:
Notebook: A's starter Cotton to have Tommy John surgery — Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow. — Cotton had been diagnosed with a sprain and had a second scan taken on his elbow on Friday, then was told he would need Tommy John surgery.
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Pitcher Gant keeps impressing — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. • The Cardinals' pitching plans are coming into focus as the season opener nears, and for now they project spring standout John Gant as quality insurance for the rotation. He's headed for starts at Class AAA Memphis …
John Harper / The Charlotte Observer:
Signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado — Since Aaron Judge brought it up... Just kidding. I have to admit I was rather stunned that Judge shared with reporters his “You'd-look-good-in-pinstripes” line to Manny Machado last week, considering how carefully he measures his every word.
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — After three hours and 26 minutes of spring training baseball on Saturday afternoon, after offering reporters some insight as to how the Tigers' roster might look come Opening Day by detailing how wide open the team's bullpen competition remains …
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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:
Pinstripe Alley
Joel Colomby / Toronto Sun:
Fantasy Fare: On humidors and an outfield wall — A couple of stadium-related items to keep in the back of your mind when taking part in your league's draft or auction: — 1) Chase Field in Arizona, home of the Diamondbacks, will store its baseballs in a moisture-absorbing humidor, in effect deadening the balls and reducing offence.
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
Yoenis Cespedes says he's healthy, ready for Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes declared himself fully healthy and ready for Opening Day after his first baseball action of the week Saturday. — The Mets leftfielder went 1-for-6 in a minor-league intra- squad game …
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Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets could trade Rafael Montero before the season starts — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — With teams finalizing rosters soon, the Mets have started preparations for a possible trade with Rafael Montero a candidate to be dealt, according to sources. Montero is out of options and is not a lock to make the roster.
Discussion:
Newsday and MLB Trade Rumors
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Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays vs. Tigers, 1:05, with Archer on the mound — Opening starter Chris Archer will be on the mound today as the Rays host the Tigers.Also scheduled to pitch for the Rays today are Yonny Chirinos, Jose Alvarado, Dan Jennings, Chaz Roe and Ian Gibaut
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jose Quintana in fine form, striking out 8 Indians in Las Vegas — Chicago Tribune — Jose Quintana was dominating Saturday in his third spring start, shutting out the Indians on one hit with eight strikeouts over six innings at Cashman Field in an 11-4 split-squad victory in Las Vegas.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pena's play, catching depth have created competition for Kelly at backup — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Francisco Pena blocks a ball while catching a bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
Mike Lupica / New York Daily News:
Mets fans are right to have hope entering this season, no matter how many ifs surround team — PORT ST. LUCIE — This was the other day in spring training, at the point when the spring training days start to run together in the run-up to the season. Mickey Callaway, the new Mets manager …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … The questions have dogged Jake Lamb for years, and if he is going to answer them, it might need to be soon. Since reaching the majors four years ago, the Diamondbacks third baseman has never been able to hit left-handed pitching.
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Alan Trammell took unconventional route to Hall of Fame — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — When he was 11 years old, Alan Trammell would walk two miles through a canyon — past coyotes and dairy land — in order to sneak into San Diego Stadium and watch the Padres, one of Major League Baseball's four new expansion teams.
