Top News:
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.
RELATED:
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, Over the Monster, FanRag Sports, MLB Trade Rumors and Deadspin
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
USA Today:
MLB will not discipline Twins' Miguel Sano; Red Sox's Steven Wright gets 15-game suspension
MLB will not discipline Twins' Miguel Sano; Red Sox's Steven Wright gets 15-game suspension
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Giants' Madison Bumgarner breaks pitching hand on line drive in final spring start — San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is hurt for the second straight year, breaking a bone in his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City's Whit Merrifield during a spring training game on Friday.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
ESPN:
Giants' Bumgarner exits game after hit in left hand by line drive
Giants' Bumgarner exits game after hit in left hand by line drive
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw caps unscored upon spring training
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw caps unscored upon spring training
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Madison Bumgarner suffers fracture, out indefinitely
Madison Bumgarner suffers fracture, out indefinitely
Discussion:
Forbes
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
RELATED:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge batting leadoff Friday vs. Red Sox
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge batting leadoff Friday vs. Red Sox
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Associated Press
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Numbers game forcing Peter Bourjos to look elsewhere after leaving Cubs — Chicago Tribune — Outfielder Peter Bourjos' short stint with the Cubs at least had a memorable ending. — Bourjos hit a game-tying single Friday in the fifth inning of a 4-3 victory over the Brewers, only to be pulled for pinch-runner DJ Wilson.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs opt for 8 relievers on opening-day roster
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.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Munoz makes Cardinals; Voit, Bader go to Memphis — • Now that the Cardinals have solidified their position-player alignment for opening day by optioning outfielder Harrison Bader and first baseman Luke Voit to Memphis and telling utilityman Yairo Munoz and catcher Francisco Pena they were on the club …
RELATED:
Tyler Carey / WKYC-TV:
No surprises here: Corey Kluber named Opening Day starter for Cleveland Indians — LHP Ryan Merritt will also begin the season on the disabled list. — In what is certainly their least-surprising move this offseason, the Indians announced today that defending American League Cy Young Award …
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs don't plan to push new closer Brandon Morrow — Chicago Tribune — Brandon Morrow's mind and arm have shifted gears over an 11-year career that has brought him to a high-profile role with the Cubs. — The chance to regain the closer duties he held during the infancy of his career …
Associated Press:
Nationals' Daniel Murphy likely to stay in Florida as knee rehab continues — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy is likely to remain behind in Florida when the Washington Nationals break camp. — Murphy had micro-fracture surgery on his right knee on Oct. 20 …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. has a strained pectoral muscle and will be out a while. How long? The Diamondbacks say they aren't sure. And who will replace him? That, too, is something the Diamondbacks say they are still trying to figure out.
Discussion:
Sporting News, CBSSports.com and Baseball Prospectus
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 …
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.
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.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals expect dramatic overhaul of coaching staff to impact standings — JUPITER, Fla. • Two of the coaches the Cardinals added this offseason were already in the dugout, and a third and fourth were on their way earlier this spring when Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer remarked on the group's collective résumé.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
DeJong wants no repeat of recent Cards history at shortstop — JUPITER, Fla. • It is a cautionary tale, this shortstop position the Cardinals thought they had locked down last year. — Aledmys Diaz hit .300 with 17 homers and 65 runs batted in as a rookie for the Cardinals and made the National League All-Star team in 2016.