Top 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.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options — Chicago Tribune — Finalizing the opening day roster might not be as urgent for the Cubs as the need for insurance during the season. — That's what manager Joe Maddon conveyed Monday as the Cubs try to finalize their roster by their final Cactus League game Sunday.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jon Lester on Cubs' outlook as spring training winds down: 'I like where we're at'
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' David Ross upstaged by son on 41st birthday
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Jon Lester's new security blanket puts Cub pitcher's yips, base runners to sleep
Jon Lester's new security blanket puts Cub pitcher's yips, base runners to sleep
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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:
The Comeback, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, NESN.com and Over the Monster
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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 …
Associated Press:
Baseball notes: Dodgers' Turner suffers broken wrist — Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner suffered a broken left wrist when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning of Monday's exhibition game, the Los Angeles Times reported. He is scheduled to be examined Tuesday …
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
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Alex Rodriguez returns to Yankees camp in advisory role — TAMPA, Fla. - No. 13 is back in camp. — Special adviser Alex Rodriguez arrived at Steinbrenner Field on Monday afternoon, slipping onto the field - in a Yankees uniform - without fanfare (or any prior announcement to the press).
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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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.
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.
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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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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
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.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Steven Souza Jr. knows that part of the cost of doing business as a modern power hitter is striking out. That does not mean he has to like doing it - or that he's comfortable striking out as often as he has in his career.
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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 …
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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.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
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George A. King III / New York Post:
Aaron Boone won't let front office control his lineup card
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 …
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
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
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
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.
Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:
Don't expect to see too much of Colome in the 8th inning this year — TAMPA - The Rays were not shy about using closer Alex Colome in the eighth inning last season, and he had more success than one would realize, given all the runners that seemed to be on base. — Colome led the majors with six saves of our or more outs.