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
RELATED:
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, Over the Monster, FanRag Sports and Deadspin
RELATED:
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
MLB won't discipline Miguel Sano after investigating assault allegation
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
Success hasn't turned Cubs from lovable to unlikable ... yet
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opt for 8 relievers on opening-day roster
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
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.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Camp report: Brandon Woodruff has one rough inning in a Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Cubs — On the field: Rookie right-hander Brandon Woodruff made his final statement for a spot in the rotation with a five-inning stint against the Cubs, a game the Brewers dropped, 4-3, at Sloan Park in Mesa.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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 …