Top News:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Ron Gardenhire blasts pitchers' lazy play: ‘Not acceptable’ — The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice. First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too. Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Mike Fiers' back issue could open spot in Detroit Tigers' rotation — Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Another Detroit Tigers starting rotation spot could be up for grabs.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals option catcher Kelly, pitcher Flaherty and four others — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals optioned six players to Class AAA Memphis after Sunday afternoon's 10-0 Grapefruit League win against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. — The most notable names were catcher Carson Kelly and pitcher Jack Flaherty.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Noah Syndergaard goes seven innings deep, impresses in likely final Grapefruit League start — SARASOTA — Noah Syndergaard was almost too efficient Sunday. The Mets' big righthander had to go seven innings against the Orioles to get his work in, in what was likely his last Grapefruit League start.
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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.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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USA Today:
Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco suspended 80 games for steroids — With aspirations of returning to the postseason, the Minnesota Twins were hit with a devastating blow just weeks before opening day. — Starting shortstop Jorge Polanco, who had a breakout second half of the season in 2017 …
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins' Jorge Polanco Gets 80-Game Suspension
Twins' Jorge Polanco Gets 80-Game Suspension
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Twinkie Town
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.
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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.
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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.
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Sign Justin Grimm, Designate Sam Gaviglio
Royals Sign Justin Grimm, Designate Sam Gaviglio
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Paul Goldschmidt has been asked the question over and over the past five months. He's heard it from reporters, teammates, coaches - he even heard it from a fan during a Q&A session at FanFest. — Did the elbow issue that cost him a week in September contribute to his poor finish?
Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Jays likely to tap Happ for opening day start — DUNEDIN — J.A. Happ is ready for the opening of the 2018 season. — And any day now, we'll find out if the team is going to hand the veteran lefty the ball for the season opener against the New York Yankees.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds top Arizona Diamondback 5-2 at Goodyear Ballpark — Cincinnati Reds left-hander Amir Garrett produced another strong outing Friday. He's faced 16 batters this spring and struck out 10 of them. The Enquirer/Adam Baum — CONNECT — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds beat the Arizona Diamondback 5-2 at Goodyear Ballpark.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Luis Severino continues to prep for Opening Day start, Estevan Florial reassigned to minor-league camp — TAMPA - After the Yankees informed Luis Severino he'd be starting on Opening Day, the 24-year-old righty called his mother right away. — “It's something to celebrate,” Severino said on Sunday.
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton beginning to feel comfortable in left field and Yankees' clubhouse as Opening Day nears — TAMPA — Ex-Marlin Giancarlo Stanton went into the visitors' dugout prior to Sunday's game and said hello to his former manager, Don Mattingly. — Stanton appeared to be in much better spirits …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
While Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar failed to win jobs this spring, their opportunity with Yankees isn't far away — TAMPA — After an exciting start, Miguel Andujar's upset bid for the starting job at third base came up short. — And so now we wait for Andujar to finish off …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Joe Maddon willing to give Loyola a lift — Chicago Tribune — Cubs manager Joe Maddon hasn't watched the NCAA tournament closely, but he's aware of Loyola's recent success. — When Maddon learned that this was Loyola's first appearance in the tournament since 1985 …
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 …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and Lone Star Ball
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 …
Discussion:
Sporting News