Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant enthused over encouraging signs he sees throughout lineup — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant was aware that he didn't hit his first spring home run until Wednesday, but the Cubs slugger's high walk total so far and the trust he has in those batting around him are what's so encouraging to him
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon ecstatic over way players have bought into team-first mentality — Chicago Tribune — The only ingredients missing from Camp Maddon are a campfire and marshmallows. — “I've been around a lot of good spots,” Joe Maddon said Thursday as his 13th spring training as manager nears its end.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' opener is a week from today — but Joe Maddon would like more time at camp
Cubs' opener is a week from today — but Joe Maddon would like more time at camp
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brew Crew Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish feels stronger than ever, and has developed bond with Willson Contreras
Yu Darvish feels stronger than ever, and has developed bond with Willson Contreras
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Baseball players in minors expected to lose minimum wage protection — Minor league baseball players who make as little as $5,500 a season would be stripped of the protection of federal minimum wage laws under a provision in government spending legislation expected to be approved by Congress this week.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Minor-league players in danger of not receiving living wage if Congress passes spending bill
Maury Brown / Forbes:
Minor League Ballplayers Will Lose Minimum Wage Rights As Part Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
Minor League Ballplayers Will Lose Minimum Wage Rights As Part Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Deadspin, Camden Depot and MLB Trade Rumors
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Mikolas, Ozuna picking up steam for Cardinals — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals' two biggest acquisitions of the off-season started slowly this spring. And that was a generous adverb. — Miles Mikolas, signed to a two-year contract after pitching for three years in Japan …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals pave way for Motte to join Memphis, unless another team snags him
Cardinals pave way for Motte to join Memphis, unless another team snags him
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Benjamin Hochman / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Matheny must get in playoffs, or get going
Matheny must get in playoffs, or get going
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Evan Grossman / New York Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez says working for both Yankees and ESPN won't be a conflict — Despite his side gig as a Yankees special advisor, new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez said he will remain fair and balanced — and is available to Hal Steinbrenner “24/7.”
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Diamondbacks right fielder Steven Souza Jr. has a strained right pec muscle, manager Torey Lovullo said, an injury that will keep him out of the lineup for “a couple of weeks, at least.” — Souza is expected to open the season on the disabled list, Lovullo said.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Rafael Montero has torn UCL, will likely need Tommy John surgery — NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Rafael Montero probably will miss the season after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow. — New York said Thursday that the 27-year-old has a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and will likely need Tommy John surgery.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
RELATED:
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
In launch-angle era, Dee Gordon lonely at the singles party: ‘One of the last guys left’ — SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs. Recent history suggests otherwise. USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — PEORIA, Ariz. - Dee Gordon is aware …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Chase Utley: Dodgers' ‘most powerful voice’ a critical cog, even at 39
Chase Utley: Dodgers' ‘most powerful voice’ a critical cog, even at 39
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Miguel Cabrera homers off Jake Arrieta as Detroit Tigers top Phillies, 6-2 — The Tigers held an open tryout in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday, March 5, 2018. Hear from former major league catcher and current free agent Steve Clevenger. George Sipple, Detroit Free Press — CONNECT
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
RELATED:
George Sipple / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers vs. Phillies: Five ejected in spring training game
Tigers vs. Phillies: Five ejected in spring training game
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Good Phight
Associated Press:
National League West capsules — Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: — ___ — Los Angeles Dodgers — 2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series. — Manager: Dave Roberts (third season). — He's Here: OF Matt Kemp …
RELATED:
Grant Wahl / Sports Illustrated:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Signs Contract With LA Galaxy Through 2019 — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving Manchester United for the LA Galaxy and could be in uniform for the club's first match against city rival LAFC. — SI.com has confirmed that superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed …
Discussion:
The Comeback, FanRag Sports, Daily Breeze, Deadspin and NESN.com
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Roster comes into focus as Cincinnati Reds trim nine — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds roster really came into focus Thursday with a major cutdown. — Nine were sent out: Left-hander Oliver Perez was released. Right-handers Robert Stephenson and Jackson Stephens were optioned to Triple …
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com
Will Graves / Associated Press:
Pirates enter 2018 with retooled roster, modest expectations — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Depending on the person asked in the clubhouse, the Pittsburgh Pirates are rebuilding. Or they're not. They're retooling. Or they're not. They're pointing toward 2019 and beyond. Or they're focused on the here and now.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Disappointed Zack Wheeler may have cost himself rotation spot with Mets, who may put right-hander in bullpen — PORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler sat in the Mets dugout, elbows on his knees and his head hung down. Even if the right-hander wasn't pitching for his spot in the rotation …
Associated Press:
Braves, A's, Mariners latest MLB teams to add express entrances — NEW YORK — Three more major league teams are emphasizing life in the fast line — for fans. — Atlanta, Oakland and Seattle will open express entrances to members of CLEAR, expanding the fast-entry lanes to eight of the 30 big league ballparks.
Discussion:
The Comeback
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians To Add Rajai Davis To MLB Roster, Release Mike Napoli — Indians skipper Terry Francona ran through a laundry list of roster moves today, as MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports in a series of tweets. Of particular note, the club intends to add outfielder Rajai Davis to the active roster …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Let's Go Tribe
Greg Beacham / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Shohei Ohtani's arrival leads Angels into a fascinating year — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Shohei Show is about to begin for the — Los Angeles Angels. — Mike Trout might be the best player in baseball. — Albert Pujols is its most accomplished active slugger.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish