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
Yankees, Red Sox nearing agreement to play two-game series in London in 2019
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
Associated Press:
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner suffers broken left wrist — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The reigning National League champion Dodgers are going to be without their red-headed slugger on Opening Day, and possibly for a while after. — Justin Turner has a broken left wrist after being hit …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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
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
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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
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.
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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
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 …
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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
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 … and Talking Chop
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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 …
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:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Dellin Betances wants to return to being a multi-inning weapon for Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. - Dellin Betances has been an All-Star setup man the last four years, and he's seen his innings decrease each year - from 90 (2014) to 84 (2015) to 73 (2016) to 59.2 (2017).
Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
Rangers pitcher Martin Perez gets revenge on bull that caused elbow injury: ‘I killed him and I ate him’ — Rangers pitcher Martin Perez won't put up with any bull. — Perez broke his right elbow in December when he fell down after a bull at his ranch in Venezuela charged at him.
Discussion:
New York Post, USA Today and Deadspin
Dan Gartland / Sports Illustrated:
Sports Illustrated Picks Nationals to Beat Yankees in 2018 World Series — The Yankees made some big moves, but SI still doesn't like them to win the World Series. — Nationals fans will hope we here at Sports Illustrated can catch lightning in a bottle again with our World Series prediction.
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:
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
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.