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
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
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez arrives at Yankees' camp for first time since becoming special adviser
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Jacoby Ellsbury expected to begin season on disabled list for Yankees
Jacoby Ellsbury expected to begin season on disabled list for Yankees
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
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.
RELATED:
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' David Ross upstaged by son on 41st birthday
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Yoenis Cespedes gives Mets the good news they wanted to hear — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes indicated last week he planned to play in an exhibition game Monday, and stuck to that script. — The Mets slugger was 1-for-3 with a single in the Mets' 2-0 loss to the Astros, his first Grapefruit League action in eight days.
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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
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 …
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.
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
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.
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?
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
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
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
How Phillies pitcher Edubray Ramos regained his confidence — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Edubray Ramos, dejected after four rough weeks, left Citizens Bank Park last June and headed to the minor leagues. Ramos said he never went through a stretch like the one he faced last summer when he retired …
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:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and USA Today
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why pitching is now ‘personal’ for Rays lefty Blake Snell — PORT CHARLOTTE — Blake Snell is making his best pitch. — Not the 95-mph fastball at the knees that opposing batters flail at. Nor the slow curve that leaves them trudging back to the dugout.
Stephen Gross / Morning Call:
With ‘problematic’ coaching staff gone, Pat Neshek left money on table to return to Phillies — Of The Morning Call — It will still be some time before the Phillies' decision to go with Gabe Kapler as manager can be truly evaluated. — But one thing is for sure, the Phillies …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation