Top News:
Bloomberg:
Yankees and Red Sox Are Close to Deal for June 2019 London Series — Details for series at London Stadium still must be worked out — Labor contract calls for commitment to international games — The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are nearing an agreement to play a two-game …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, The Comeback, MLB Baseball News …, NESN.com and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Red Sox nearing agreement to play two-game series in London in 2019 — TAMPA — London is calling — and the Yankees and Red Sox may finally take their rivalry across the Atlantic. — The two teams are closing in on an agreement to play a two-game, regular-season series June 29-30 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Craig Kimbrel: Infant daughter's heart surgery ‘toughest thing’ his family has been through
Craig Kimbrel: Infant daughter's heart surgery ‘toughest thing’ his family has been through
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Mets outfielder Juan Lagares struggling in camp despite working on swing — For years, the question has been whether Juan Lagares can hit just enough to warrant a larger role. The outfielder is one of the premier defenders in the spot and can change games with his glove, but he does not provide much offensively.
RELATED:
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Making a case for Cards' Martinez — St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jose Martinez hits soft toss balls to warm-up for live batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright to bypass Mets, pitch in minor-league game — JUPITER, Fla. • With his first regular-season start slated for March 31 in New York, Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright will not face the Mets Tuesday in the exhibition game here. Manager Mike Matheny had said …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Associated Press:
A-Rod: Yankees' ‘breathtaking’ offense could break records — TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez thinks the New York Yankees' “breathtaking” offense could break records this season. — Rodriguez arrived at spring training Monday and had high praise for a lineup led by Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius.
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Alex Rodriguez returns to Yankees camp in advisory role
Alex Rodriguez returns to Yankees camp in advisory role
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
George A. King III / New York Post:
Aaron Boone won't let front office control his lineup card
Associated Press:
Tigers prospect Franklin Perez to miss 3 months — DETROIT — Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Franklin Perez is expected to miss at least three months with a right lat strain. — The Tigers say Perez was injured in a minor league game Sunday. There is no surgery recommended at this point …
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Franklin Perez Out Three Months With Strained Lat
Franklin Perez Out Three Months With Strained Lat
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
This could be Willson Contreras' season to clean up as Cubs' No. 4 hitter — Chicago Tribune — Ian Happ downplayed the significance of his contributions this spring as manager Joe Maddon assesses various lineup options. — “It's not important who is going to be the leadoff guy,” Happ said.
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Spring training numbers matter for some but not all — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Spring training numbers can be deceptive - in both ways, good or bad. — Call it the Josias Manzanillo Rule. Manzanillo was terrific for the Reds spring training of 2003. He put up a 0.75 ERA and only allowed four hits in 12 innings that spring.
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Reassign Ronald Acuna To Minor League Camp — The Braves have re-assigned much-hyped prospect Ronald Acuna to minor-league camp, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was among those to report on Twitter. He'll presumably open the season at Triple-A.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
The Braves demoted Ronald Acuna and it's a reminder that baseball is still a business
The Braves demoted Ronald Acuna and it's a reminder that baseball is still a business
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets should use caution with Jason Vargas and use the one-time ‘Five Aces’ rotation for start of the season — PORT ST. LUCIE — Dust off the Five Aces posters from 2016 or ‘17. The day may finally have arrived when the Mets’ five pitchers, formerly known as all aces, will be in the same rotation for at least one turn.
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
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.
Jake Becker / New York Daily News:
Ex-MLB All-Star Milton Bradley charged with battery for allegedly assaulting wife: report — Former MLB All-Star Milton Bradley has been charged with battery after allegedly assaulting his wife, according to a report. — TMZ reported on Tuesday that the misdemeanor charge …
Discussion:
TMZ.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Plenty of hype for Ian Happ's defense in center field — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon was criticized nearly seven months ago for allowing Ian Happ to play center field in the eighth inning of a game where he couldn't get to a deep double by Jose Peraza that cost the Cubs a 4-2 loss at Cincinnati.
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Inside the mask: An umpire crew chief on mound visits, mad managers and having your call overturned — Ted Barrett has been a major league umpire since 1994 and a crew chief since 2013. He has worked nine postseason division series, eight championship series and three World Series.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Justin Turner is injured in Cactus League game — The Dodgers braced themselves Monday for the possibility of opening the season without one of their most valuable players. — Justin Turner was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the first inning of Monday's exhibition game.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Way-too-early MLB trade deadline preview: Which buyers should be all-in? — Last week, I peeked ahead at the still-distant trade deadline to identify teams that in a few months might be trying to exchange veteran talent for future assets. If there are sellers, there have to be buyers, right?
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester on Cubs' outlook as spring training winds down: 'I like where we're at' — Chicago Tribune — With six days of games left in Arizona, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester summed up the state of spring affairs. — “It's been a great camp,” Lester said Monday night after pitching 6 1/3 innings …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue