Top News:
Associated Press:
Giancarlo Stanton says he's prepared for New York-level scrutiny — TAMPA, Fla. — Giancarlo Stanton said he is prepared for the scrutiny he will attract during his first season with the New York Yankees. — “The good times will be magnified and so will the bad,” the slugger said Wednesday.
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Mark Dunphy / Boston Globe:
Here's an early look at the reheated Red Sox-Yankees rivalry — The Red Sox and Yankees met on March 3 for a game played in a miniature of Fenway Park by teams that represented a small-scale imitation of the rivalry to come in 2018. — The Yankees won 5-3 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and Over the Monster
Erik Boland / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Giancarlo Stanton prepared for scrutiny that comes with playing for Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. — The expectations for the 2018 Yankees are through the roof. — And Giancarlo Stanton is good with that. — “The fans expect a lot,” Stanton said Wednesday afternoon. “I expect a lot, too.
Daily Record:
Yankees option Tyler Austin to Class AAA Scranton as roster takes shape
Yankees option Tyler Austin to Class AAA Scranton as roster takes shape
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Jacoby Ellsbury is trying to be optimistic about his active return to the Yankees
Jacoby Ellsbury is trying to be optimistic about his active return to the Yankees
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Diamondbacks' Souza has strained right shoulder, to get MRI — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will get an MRI on Thursday after straining his right shoulder during a spring training game Wednesday night. — The team announced Souza's diagnosis following …
RELATED:
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Michael Conforto impresses as he works way back from shoulder injury, most likely to start season around May 1 — PORT ST. LUCIE — The ball had barely left Michael Conforto's bat when the chatter began. The Mets outfielder had just taken a slider from the team's 2017 top draft pick …
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Associated Press:
Cubs' Darvish limits former club to 3 hits over 6 innings — SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish looked as if he would stumble on the mound, yet still managed to unleash a pitch that struck out Drew Robinson of the Rangers. — “I got off-balance,” Darvish said through a translator.
Discussion:
Japan Times
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' opener is a week from today — but Joe Maddon would like more time at camp — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon didn't share the same feeling as some of his Cubs players who are anxious for the regular season to start immediately. — “This is the one time I wish we had one more week …
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Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays acquire right-hander Sam Gaviglo from Royals — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander Sam Gaviglo from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for a player to be named later or cash considerations. — Gaviglo, 27, posted 4-5 record and 4.36 earned-run average …
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Sam Gaviglio, Designate Matt Dermody
Blue Jays Acquire Sam Gaviglio, Designate Matt Dermody
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Bluebird Banter
Maury Brown / Forbes:
Minor League Ballplayers Will Lose Minimum Wage Rights As Part Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill — As part of a provision within the 2,232 page $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that President Trump needs to sign before Friday to keep the government open, the Boys of Summer in the Minor Leagues …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Deadspin, Bless You Boys, Camden Depot, McCovey Chronicles and Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mariners' David Phelps to have Tommy John surgery, season over — Mariners reliever David Phelps has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow and will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team said Thursday. — The right-hander is expected to be sidelined 12-15 months.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
White Sox see better days approaching after 5 losing seasons — CHICAGO — For a franchise with five straight losing seasons and one playoff appearance since the 2005 World Series championship, the Chicago White Sox sure are an optimistic bunch. — They come into the year with a long line …
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
2018 will let White Sox know where rebuild stands
2018 will let White Sox know where rebuild stands
Discussion:
South Side Sox
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Notebook: Cobb wraps up deal with Orioles — Pitcher Cobb wraps up deal with Orioles — Alex Cobb's comfort and familiarity with the American League East was the deciding factor in his decision to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. — “They used the AL East and the success I've …
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Aaron Judge hits two HRs, hitting his stride as Yankees opener nears — TAMPA, Fla. - Aaron Judge is getting that let's-start-the-season-already feeling. — “I feel ready to go,” Judge said after belting two home runs in Wednesday night's 9-4 Yankees win against the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field.
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Associated Press:
Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich boost Brewers with glove, bat — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers' pitching could improve this year better because of two new bats in the lineup: Outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich are just as capable of changing games with their gloves, too.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
D-backs' Zack Greinke throws 60 pitches in return from groin injury — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An even quieter than usual Zack Greinke declared his return to the mound Wednesday as simply “all right.” — The Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander threw 60 pitches in an intrasquad game on a back field at the team's spring training facility.
Rotoworld.com:
ST Daily: Murphy Not Ready — Follow @djshort and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter. — In news that hardly qualified as a shocker, Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy acknowledged Wednesday morning that he will begin the season on the disabled list as he rehabs from October microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Discussion:
Washington Post
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong finally feels a sense of belonging — • On the practice field nearest their clubhouse Wednesday morning, early enough that shadows still played tricks on the batters' eyes, two Cardinals stepped into the cage for swings against rookie Alex Reyes. — One was Tommy Pham, his game-ready intensity lit.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus