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3:45 PM ET, March 18, 2018

Ballbug

 Top News: 
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.
RELATED:
John Harper / New York Daily News:   Despite Aaron Judge recruitment, signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Aaron Judge likely won't play any left field for Yankees this season
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Controversy-free spring was just what the White Sox needed  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Back in Sarasota, Fla., during the spring of 1996, White Sox camp was roiled early by the disappearance of Tony Phillips, who had signed as a free-agent over the winter.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Justin Hancock and Anthony Bass making late bids for spot in Cubs bullpen
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm signs $1.25M deal with Royals  —  The Royals signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a $1.25 million, one-year deal Sunday that includes up to $300,000 incentives after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week.  —  The 29-year-old Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances last season.
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Sign Justin Grimm, Designate Sam Gaviglio
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and Royals Review
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays option Banda, Stanek to Triple-A in reducing spring roster to 36  —  The Rays narrowed the field for jobs in their eight-man bullpen, optioning newly acquired LHP Anthony Banda and hard-throwing RHP Ryne Stanek to Triple-A.  —  Those moves were part of a hefty Sunday morning cut …
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays Journal: Miller had a field day, Pruitt bounces back, Gomez speeds up
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
RELATED:
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  At Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla.
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.
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:   Confused by Rays pitching plans? Well, it's complicated ....
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.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Javier Baez starts at shortstop as former Cubs Jon Jay and Jorge Soler start for Royals  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Javier Baez's left hamstring will get another test Sunday when he starts at shortstop as the Cubs face the Royals in a split-squad game at Sloan Park at 3:05 p.m.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   No discomfort as Cubs second baseman Javier Baez returns to action
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
ARMED AND READY: Russell Martin breaks down Jays rotation  —  DUNEDIN — Pete Walker is the Blue Jays pitching coach and does a fine job of managing the various personalities and arms at his disposal.  —  But next to him, there's no one around the team who is a greater authority on the Jays staff than veteran Russell Martin.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
New Cubs closer Brandon Morrow ‘ready’ for season despite limited appearances in spring  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The temptations will be greater well into the regular season, but manager Joe Maddon and new pitching coach Jim Hickey have been extremely careful about the workloads placed on their pitchers this spring.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Final-week quandary for Rangers: What do with Colon?  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  All Saturday afternoon's game was, in the mind of the Texas Rangers and their Game 1 starting pitcher, was another Cactus League contest.  —  Bartolo Colon has been better than he was against the Kansas City Royals …
Daniel Starkand / DodgerBlue.com:
Dodgers Spring Training Notes: Corey Seager Scheduled For Back-To-Back; Starting Rotation Order And Justin Turner's Day Off  —  With Opening Day a little over a week away, the Los Angeles Dodgers are focused on getting their regular players prepared to play nine innings, along with making final roster evaluations.
Discussion: True Blue LA
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 …
RELATED:
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
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
You can write Homer Bailey in as the Reds' Opening Day starter — just don't use ink yet  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It's pretty safe to assume that Homer Bailey is going to start Opening Day for the Reds — even if Reds Manager Bryan Price can't bring himself to say the words.
ESPN:
Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has broken right hand  —  New York Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has a broken bone in his non-pitching hand and will visit a specialist later Sunday, the team announced.  —  Vargas suffered a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand Saturday …
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
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mickey Callaway: Wilmer Flores playing left field can be ‘huge’ for Mets lineup
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 …
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
 
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 More News: 
Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Ervin Santana still can't make a fist or grip a baseball post-surgery
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Erasmo Ramirez's return to the Mariners could be pushed back a week or two
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carp at third, Gyorko at second against Nationals
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kyle Schwarber's improvements evident in spring training
Tampa Bay Times:
For starters: Rays vs. Tigers, 1:05, with Archer on the mound
Mike Lupica / New York Daily News:
Mets fans are right to have hope entering this season, no matter how many ifs surround team
Carlos Monarrez / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Alan Trammell took unconventional route to Hall of Fame
 Earlier Picks: 
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
'There wasn't a dry eye': An eager Adam Eaton returns to the Nationals' outfield
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Jose Quintana in fine form, striking out 8 Indians in Las Vegas
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Mike Tauchman's versatility, strong camp gives him strong shot at Rockies' roster
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Next Slide  —  On the field: The Brewers, who hit into a triple …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Eugenio Suarez's deal is ideal for the Cincinnati Reds
Keith Jenkins / Cincinnati.com:
Scott Schebler leads Cincinnati Reds over San Francisco Giants
Discussion: Red Reporter
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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