Top News:
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:
Over the Monster and Bleacher Report
RELATED:
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.
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 …
RELATED:
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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George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers trim down to 28 players with Opening Day a week away — The Tigers optioned left-handed pitchers Chad Bell and Blaine Hardy to Triple-A Toledo and sent six others to minor league camp on Thursday — LAKELAND, Fla. - The Detroit Tigers made a significant round of cut Thursday morning to trim the roster to 28.
RELATED:
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers lose to Braves, 3-2, in Francisco Liriano's up-and-down night
Detroit Tigers lose to Braves, 3-2, in Francisco Liriano's up-and-down night
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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 …
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
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.
Associated Press:
National League East capsules — Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year: — ___ — Washington Nationals — 2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS. — Manager: Dave Martinez (first season). — He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero …
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