Top News:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge batting leadoff Friday vs. Red Sox — TAMPA, Fla. — For at least one day, the New York Yankees have a new leadoff hitter: Aaron Judge. — The right fielder will bat first on Friday against the Boston Red Sox in a batting position that's normally occupied …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Associated Press
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Associated Press:
Pop top: Yankees' Judge could get time batting leadoff — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge could be used at times as a leadoff hitter this season. — The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was at the top of the lineup and went 1 for 4 in a 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
X-rays on Brandon Drury's left elbow negative after Yankee hit by pitch — TAMPA — The Yankees appeared to avoid a scare when Brandon Drury was struck on the left elbow by a pitch in the fifth inning of Friday's game. — Drury stayed in the game and advanced to third on Neil Walker's ground-rule double …
Evan Drellich / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Wright suspended 15 games for violation of domestic-violence policy — Steven Wright will be suspended 15 games for violating MLB's domestic violence policy, NBC Sports Boston has learned. The league is set to make the announcement Friday. — Wright, working his way back from right knee surgery …
Discussion:
Eagle-Tribune, MLB Trade Rumors, FanRag Sports, Over the Monster and Deadspin
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Associated Press:
Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright suspended 15 games under MLB's domestic violence policy — NEW YORK (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright has accepted a 15-game suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy following his arrest on Dec. 8.
ESPN:
MLB won't discipline Miguel Sano after investigating assault allegation — Major League Baseball announced Friday that Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano will not face disciplinary action after it investigated an assault allegation. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Marcell Ozuna's big move: From Marlins anonymity to Cardinals catalyst — JUPITER, Fla. - Marcell Ozuna didn't want to leave Miami. He didn't see the trade coming. When first told he was going to St. Louis, the All-Star outfielder thought somebody was pulling a prank on him.
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Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Through three teams and seven seasons, Ichiro Suzuki can't get rid of David Phelps — PEORIA, Ariz. — On a recent morning, David Phelps made his way across the Seattle Mariners clubhouse and noticed Ichiro Suzuki sitting at his locker. — No words were exchange. No handshakes.
ESPN:
Ichiro Suzuki hit in helmet by pitch, exits spring training game — Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki took a pitch off the helmet in a minor league appearance on Friday in Peoria, Arizona, and had to leave the game. — He was helped to his feet by trainers but walked off the field on his own.
Associated Press:
Mets' Conforto goes 1 for 4 in 1st game after shoulder surgery — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Michael Conforto received a late-night phone call from New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who asked whether he wanted to fill an open spot as Friday's designated hitter. — “Absolutely,” Conforto recalled responding.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Rep. Peter King says he didn't know spending bill he voted for would make minor leaguers exempt from minimum wage laws — PORT ST. LUCIE — Hours after voting on the omnibus spending bill, which included a provision to strip away federal minimum wage and overtime protection for minor-league baseball players …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer get payback on Tommy La Stella — Chicago Tribune — Cubs President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer might have gotten the final say in the battle of pranks with infielder Tommy La Stella. — During the third inning of Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Success hasn't turned Cubs from lovable to unlikable ... yet
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies' manager Gabe Kapler compares Aaron Nola to Zack Greinke after final spring training start — BRADENTON, Fla. - In his final exhibition start before his first career opening-day assignment, Phillies righthander Aaron Nola turned in four scoreless innings Friday afternoon …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Munoz, Pena make Cards' team; Gregerson has hamstring injury — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • The Cardinals nearly finalized their 25-man roster Friday morning when they optioned outfielder Harrison Bader, first baseman Luke Voit and righthanded reliever Josh Lucas to Class AAA Memphis.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Newest Cardinals are rounding into top form
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Rockies 8, Reds 2 — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Reds lost to the Colorado Rockies 8-2 Friday. — The game in three paragraphs: —Right-hander Homer Bailey made his final start before Opening Day. He went six innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out two.
Associated Press:
Will flip-flopping fielders be baseball's latest trend? — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — New Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler's progressive approach includes a strategy straight from a slow-pitch softball league. — Kapler plans to flip-flop outfielders in the middle of an inning …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jorge Castillo / Chicago Tribune:
MLB tried to debunk ‘juiced balls’ theory amid historic home run spike. Pitchers remain skeptical. — The Washington Post — Last July, Major League Baseball issued a memo to every player on all 30 clubs as a direct response to the conspiracy theories circulating about the most crucial component …
