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12:30 AM ET, March 18, 2018

Ballbug

 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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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
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cardinals take 3-0 lead against Braves
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Smart baserunning from speedy Arozarena sends Cardinals ahead
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Ozuna sidesteps scare, Cardinals leave bases loaded
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Final push for roster spots continues as Voit, Pena head to Disney
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.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets think Jason Vargas will be ready for start of season despite hand injury
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets don't think Jason Vargas will ready for start of season after suffering hand injury
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets' Yoenis Cespedes to test sore right wrist in minor-league game 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.
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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 …
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.
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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 …
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. ...
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
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.
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Next Slide  —  On the field: The Brewers, who hit into a triple play six days earlier against Cleveland, turned an around-the-horn triple play in the second inning against Colorado.  With two on, Daniel Castro hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Hernán Pérez …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Todd Rosiak / JSOnline:
Brewers prospect Trent Grisham changes name, seeks to write a new chapter in 2018
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.
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 …
RELATED:
Maria Torres / Kansas City Star:
In first spring game, Royals' Moustakas felt weird facing Hosmer but good at plate
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
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.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Confused by Rays pitching plans?  Well, it's complicated ....  There are some answers we do have about the Rays plan to use four starters and mix in “bullpen days” when needed during at least the first six weeks.  —  They are not doing it because they don't have a capable fifth.
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.
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 …
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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 More News: 
Chelsea Janes / Washington Post:
'There wasn't a dry eye': An eager Adam Eaton returns to the Nationals' outfield
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Mike Tauchman's versatility, strong camp gives him strong shot at Rockies' roster
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Justin Hancock and Anthony Bass making late bids for spot in Cubs bullpen
ESPN:
Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman expects to make April 1 start
Detroit Free Press:
Photos: Tigers vs. Yankees in exhibition
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Batting second for your Texas Rangers ... Joey Gallo?
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
 Earlier Picks: 
Martin Gallegos / Mercury News:
Why Frankie Montas has been kept out of action by A's
Discussion: Athletics Nation
Andre C. Fernandez / miamiherald:
This prospect could make the Marlins deeper at second base even without Dee Gordon. Here's why.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees name Luis Severino Opening Day starter, Jordan Montgomery to start home opener
CBSSports.com:
Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel: Season opener in jeopardy?
Discussion: Over the Monster
Stephen Gross / Baltimore Sun:
Next step for Phillies' Jake Arrieta slightly altered
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Kevin Sherrington / The Charlotte Observer:
Why Jeff Banister is turning Rangers pitching staff into a radical guinea pig
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

Leah Bitsky / Page Six:
Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25, spark engagement rumors as she flaunts new ring

 
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