Top News:
Associated Press:
Jose Altuve finalizes 7-year, $163.5M deal with Astros — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — AL MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros have finalized a $163.5 million, seven-year contract that guarantees an additional $151 million over five seasons.
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KHOU-TV:
Altuve agrees to seven-year deal with Astros — “My family and I have made Houston our home,” Altuve said. “I have great teammates and coaches, and we all have the same goal: we want to work hard and we want to win.” — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have locked up their American League MVP second baseman …
ESPN:
Jason Vargas to have surgery on right hand, uncertain of return date — Mets left-hander Jason Vargas will have surgery on his non-pitching hand and is unsure whether he will return to New York's starting rotation for the beginning of the regular season. — Vargas, who has been diagnosed …
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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers: West Michigan Whitecaps' Dan Hasty to call two spring training games — LAKELAND, Fla. — Dan Hasty was devastated after being cut from the varsity baseball team in 2003. Broadcasters Mario Impemba and Ernie Harwell, helped ease the pain. — Hasty, 32, is entering …
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Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Detroit Tigers plug Clermont's Shane Greene into closer's role — Coming off reconstructive elbow surgery after his only season at the University of West Florida, Shane Greene was a man without a team. — The Clermont resident had lost his scholarship. He had transferred …
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Mike Fiers: Back issue not major; must take things slow
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Jorge L. Ortiz / Daily Record:
Nationals' treasure: Victor Robles is key to the future, with or without Bryce Harper — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Back in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman was the first-ever draft pick of the newly minted Washington Nationals, an All-American from neighboring Virginia expected to steer the franchise through …
Discussion:
USA Today
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
A baseball scout and his hotel room: A love story spanning four decades — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - This eclectic 194-room hotel in Old Town has purple carpet, pink doors, and yellow and orange walls. — It has changed names nine times. — It has even changed addresses without moving.
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Top prospect Ronald Acuna has Braves dreaming of return to glory days
Discussion:
Sporting News
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Craig Kimbrel: Infant daughter's heart surgery ‘toughest thing’ his family has been through — With his infant daughter's condition improving following heart surgery, Craig Kimbrel rejoined the Boston Red Sox on Monday, threw live batting practice and declared he will be ready for Opening Day next week.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Polanco Gets Popped — The Twins made an unexpected run to the Wild Card Game last fall, fueled in part by a torrid final two months of the season from Jorge Polanco. The shortstop batted .316/.377/.553 from the beginning of August until the end of the regular season …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation and New York Daily News
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Zack Greinke took a step in the right direction on Sunday at Salt River Fields, throwing a 46-pitch bullpen session, his first since leaving his most recent start with right groin tightness. — Speaking with reporters, Greinke said at various points that he …
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Mike Debonis / Washington Post:
Spending bill could quash Minor League Baseball players' wage claims … A massive government spending bill that Congress is expected to consider this week could include a provision exempting Minor League Baseball players from federal labor laws, according to three congressional officials familiar with the talks.
Discussion:
NewsCut, Royals Review, Baseball Prospectus, The Comeback, MLB Baseball News …, redsminorleagues.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Alex Butler / UPI:
Milwaukee Brewers recreate ‘Sandlot’ scene — The Milwaukee Brewers posted a video of its players re-enacting a scene from The Sandlot. — Milwaukee published the footage to its social media accounts on Sunday night. — “There's heroes and there's legends,” the Brewers wrote as a caption on the video.
Discussion:
TODAY.com, The Comeback and NESN.com
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Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Brewers will open with Stephen Vogt on the DL, leaving Piña and Bandy as their catchers
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Analysis: Shohei Ohtani's spring struggles underscore the difficult path to two-way success in MLB — The Washington Post — Shohei Ohtani's arrival in Major League Baseball this winter was met with so much hype, anticipation and historic recalibration — he is seeking to become the first full-time …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
NL East Notes: Nationals, Murphy, Phillies, Rupp — There is “virtually no chance” Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy will be ready for Opening Day, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com writes. Murphy, who's working his way back from the microfracture knee surgery he underwent last October …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
Finally healthy, Nationals reliever Tim Collins makes pitch for a big league return
Discussion:
Nationals Pastime
Arizona Republic:
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: SATURDAY, MAY 26 - MONDAY, MAY 28 — MLB's annual league-wide observance of Memorial Day will honor those who lost their lives while serving their country. MLB again plans to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance through which ballparks on Memorial …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bless You Boys and DRaysBay
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Manny Machado finds comfort at shortstop as he prepares for his next big move — SARASOTA, Fla. — If Manny Machado were any more comfortable in spring training, he'd be carrying a hammock out to the field with him. — Six years after his last full-time exposure to playing shortstop …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Claim Tommy Joseph — The Rangers have claimed first baseman Tommy Joseph off waivers from the Phillies, according to an announcement from Texas. In a corresponding move, the Rangers placed right-hander Clayton Blackburn on the 60-day disabled list with a strained pitching elbow.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Jacoby Ellsbury expected to begin season on disabled list for Yankees — TAMPA — Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to start the season on the disabled list, according to Aaron Boone. — Ellsbury (oblique) was supposed to take simulated at-bats on Monday and get a couple ABs in Lakeland against the Tigers Tuesday.
