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3:45 PM ET, March 20, 2018

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 Top News: 
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 …
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Justin Turner is injured in Cactus League game
Associated Press:   Baseball notes: Dodgers' Turner suffers broken wrist
Ben Reiter / Sports Illustrated:
How Giancarlo Stanton Negotiated His Way to the Yankees to Create Baseball's Scariest Lineup  —  Created with Sketch.  — By acquiring Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees created a lineup that will take power to new heights.  —  As midnight approached on Thursday, Dec. 7 …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton supports Marlins removing home run sculpture: ‘All it does is suggest that this place is a circus’  —  Giancarlo Stanton fully supports the Marlins taking down their home run sculpture.  —  In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the Yankees slugger did not hold …
Discussion: Fish Stripes
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:   Potential Yankees lineup vs. Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ on Opening Day
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Yankees, Red Sox nearing agreement to play two-game series in London in 2019
Discussion: Over the Monster
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Trayce Thompson homer to carry Dodgers past A's  —  THE GAME: Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson hit home runs to give the Dodgers a 3-0 victory over the Oakland A's on Monday night at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com and Daily Breeze
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Athletics Agree To Terms With Brett Anderson  —  The Athletics have agreed to a contract with veteran lefty Brett Anderson, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  It's a minors deal, but other terms are not yet known.  —  If the deal becomes official …
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:
Mike Puma / New York Post:   Yoenis Cespedes gives Mets the good news they wanted to hear
SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:
This was the biggest conversation Jon Daniels and the Rangers had at the beginning of winter  —  Rangers GM Jon Daniels appeared on 105. 3 The Fan's G-Bag Nation recently to talk about his ballclub heading into the start of the season.  Here are some of the highlights.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
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.
Discussion: Washington Post and Royals Review
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Leaner, eager Kyle Schwarber fueling optimism with strong all-around spring  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As opening day draws near, Kyle Schwarber isn't about to be drawn into specifics, such as whether he would like to get more at-bats against left-handed pitchers.  —  “I'll take the at-bats as I get them,” Schwarber said.
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
Mark Maske / Washington Post:
NFL sets new definition for controversial catch rule … The NFL is about to have a new catch rule.  The league's rule-making competition committee is poised to change the controversial rule by eliminating two provisions that were particularly confounding over the years to players …
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
The Braves demoted Ronald Acuna and it's a reminder that baseball is still a business  —  Ronald Acuna deserves to be on the Opening Day roster  —  In an annoying, if unsurprising development, the Atlanta Braves reassigned outfielder Ronald Acuna on Monday, dashing baseball's top prospect's chance at cracking the big-league roster.
Discussion: NBCSports.com
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Reassign Ronald Acuna To Minor League Camp
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.
Discussion: Red Reporter
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Nationals option top prospect Victor Robles to minors  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Top Washington Nationals prospect Victor Robles has been optioned to the minors.  —  Robles, 20, who is ranked as baseball's fourth-best prospect by ESPN's Keith Law, will begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse …
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.
Colleen Kane / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox send Michael Kopech and Jacob May to minors  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox reassigned right-hander Michael Kopech and outfielder Jacob May to minor-league camp Tuesday.  —  Kopech, ranked the No. 10 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, had an 11.57 ERA with seven walks …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide  —  Despite the chill in the air in metro Detroit, the 2018 Major League Baseball season opens on March 29 and the Detroit Tigers host Opening Day against the Pirates that day at Comerica Park.  —  And with Opening Day being an unofficial holiday where people ordinarily tailgate downtown hours …
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
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
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
The Dodgers are now selling tickets for bar stool seats  —  The Dodgers are inviting fans to watch games up close — from the perch of a bar stool.  —  The team is adding stools to the drink rails behind home plate on the field level this season.  The new “field drink rail” …
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.
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
‘Guaranteed Rates’ Field lacks ‘charm’ says Forbes; Wrigley Field ranks 10th in MLB ballparks  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox's Guaranteed Rate Field placed 28th in Forbes.com's ranking of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.  The Cubs' Wrigley Field placed 10th.
Discussion: Bleacher Nation and Forbes
 
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 More News: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Release Antonio Bastardo, Reassign Neftali Feliz
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs reliever Pedro Strop makes spring debut, says he'll be ready for season
Discussion: Bleacher Nation
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Plenty of hype for Ian Happ's defense in center field
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Why pitching is now ‘personal’ for Rays lefty Blake Snell
Stephen Gross / Morning Call:
With ‘problematic’ coaching staff gone, Pat Neshek left money on table to return to Phillies
Discussion: Phillies Nation
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Way-too-early MLB trade deadline preview: Which buyers should be all-in?
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
How Phillies pitcher Edubray Ramos regained his confidence
George A. King III / New York Post:
Aaron Boone won't let front office control his lineup card
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Daily Record
 Earlier Picks: 
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester on Cubs' outlook as spring training winds down: 'I like where we're at'
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:
Don't expect to see too much of Colome in the 8th inning this year
Associated Press:
Tigers prospect Franklin Perez to miss 3 months
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
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
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds sent top prospect Nick Senzel down, the question is for how long
Associated Press:
Jose Altuve finalizes 7-year, $163.5M deal with Astros
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Britney Spears in Huge Fight With Boyfriend, Hotel Guests Fear Mental Breakdown

The Seattle Times:
Whistleblower Josh Dean of Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems has died

Borys Kit / The Hollywood Reporter:
Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac to Star in Vampire Thriller ‘Flesh of the Gods’ for ‘Mandy’ Filmmaker

 
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