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1:45 PM ET, February 12, 2019

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 Top News: 
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
He's no Ohtani, but Davidson knows what two-way role he wants to fill for Rangers  —  One thing Matt Davidson wanted to make sure was perfectly clear Tuesday were his intentions as a two-way player.  —  The Texas Rangers won't have to juggle the next Shohei Ohtani.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Mended Rangers starters know ‘a lot of us you can mark down as question marks’  —  The last time Drew Smyly was seen on a big-league mound in a big-league game was Sept. 26, 2016, at the home of the Chicago White Sox, whatever it was called back then.  —  He threw 97 pitches in five innings …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   Everyone knows Andrus will be Rangers' leader in 2019, but will his bat lead offense?
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   First three Rangers pitchers to watch this spring have similar storyline, elbow scars
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
19 questions the Rangers can answer for their future in 2019, including Joey Gallo's ability …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Some Yankees are getting a jump on 2019 ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting  —  TAMPA, Fla. - There's nothing formal yet happening at Yankees spring training, where the first official pitchers and catchers workout is set for Thursday.  —  But there's plenty of activity on the minor league side …
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Yankees could feature the best bullpen in baseball history ... on paper  —  TAMPA - Luis Severino hesitated.  The Yankees ace had to temper his natural instincts a bit and understand what the future may hold for him - and the other starters.  While every rotation ace wants to be a workhorse …
Associated Press:
Yankees reliever Zack Britton now using legal spelling of first name  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Even Zack Britton gets confused about the proper spelling of his first name.  —  Known throughout his baseball career as Zach, the 31-year-old New York Yankees reliever said last week that going forward his name should be spelled Zack.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Luis Severino aware he may have been tipping pitches last season and is ready to make changes
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Zack Britton's name revelation led to demise of original Yankees contract
Chris Thomas / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training: Everything you need to know  —  Taking a look at what the Tigers' starting lineup and pitching rotation could look like to open the 2019 season.  Video by Anthony Fenech and Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press.  —  CONNECT  —  Baseball is back!
Discussion: Denver Post
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Which Detroit Tigers could make the team with a strong spring?  —  Who will start for the Detroit Tigers in 2019 after their offseason acquisitions  —  Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the top three dark horses to make the Detroit Tigers' roster in spring training:  —  1. Brandon Dixon
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Detroit Tigers look mostly unchanged entering spring training
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Jacob deGrom makes double-barreled threat over Mets contract talks … PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom is putting the Mets on the clock.  —  After a winter of inactivity in long-term contract discussions, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has informed team officials …
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets Spring Training: 5 burning questions facing the Amazin's
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets will train Jeff McNeil in outfield to open door for more at-bats
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue and NBCSports.com
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Bring on spring!  After winter of discontent, can Cubs move on?  —  MESA, Ariz. — Eventually, Willson Contreras got bored.  The offseason had gone on long enough.  The Chicago Cubs catcher was used to playing baseball deep into the fall, but a team-wide offensive flameout last year led to a long winter.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Kyle Schwarber plans to be a full-time left fielder, not a DH
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Willson Contreras on Cubs' wild-card loss: ‘We needed that kick in the butt’
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Lefty reliever Zach Duke signs 1-year contract with Cincinnati Reds  —  (Photo: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)  —  The Reds signed their first Major League free agent of the offseason Monday.  —  Left-handed reliever Zach Duke agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract, giving the Reds another lefty option in their bullpen.
RELATED:
Cincinnati.com:   2019 Cincinnati Reds questions: How many games will they win this year?
Associated Press:
Giants catcher Buster Posey hoping for healthy, productive 2019 season  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One day in early November, Buster Posey felt his body respond more normally again as he rehabilitated from season-ending hip surgery.  Working out his lower half with a 15-pound dumbbell in his left hand …
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Jesse Winker among seven MLB breakout candidates, per CBS' Jonah Keri  —  Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker is featured in the 2019 Breakout Brigade column by Jonah Keri on CBS Sports about seven Major League Baseball players he expects to take a big step forward during the upcoming season.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Healthier Gregerson looks to reclaim spot in Cardinals' bullpen  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Reliever Luke Gregerson is back in Cardinals' camp this spring.  And he intends to pitch, after a season fraught with injury and then a slow recovery period for most of the offseason.
ESPN:
Justin Verlander baffled rebuilding teams won't sign Machado, Harper  —  Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander isn't buying the theory that the market for big free agents is limited by rebuilding teams not being in position to sign stars. … Like last year, the marquee free agents this offseason …
Jeff Seidel / Forbes:
Orioles Preview: Baltimore Starting To Rebuild As Spring Training Begins  —  The first part of the rebuilding of the Baltimore Orioles begins this season.  There's a new man in charge in the front office (Mike Elias), a new man in charge in the dugout (Brandon Hyde), and a plan in place …
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Camden Chat
Associated Press:
Country music legend Garth Brooks in spring training with Pittsburgh Pirates  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Garth Brooks has come out of baseball retirement.  —  The country music legend will spend just over a week participating in spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates, reporting Monday with the pitchers and catchers.
 
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 More News: 
Mike Berardino / Indianapolis Star:
Notre Dame receiver Javon McKinley arrested
Discussion: Chicago Sun-Times and TMZ.com
Associated Press:
Derek Jeter has ‘zero patience,’ wants competitive Marlins club now
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Endy Chavez catches on again as Mets minor-league coach
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
Maria Torres / Los Angeles Times:
Will new Angels coaches be a hit? ... and other spring training questions
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Didi Gregorius takes giant step in rehab
Associated Press:
All-Star pitcher Gerrit Cole goes to arbitration with Astros
 Earlier Picks: 
Robert Morales / Orange County Register:
Ducks fire Randy Carlyle, name GM Bob Murray interim coach
Star Tribune:
Twins' young core players in line for multiyear contracts
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: White Sox prospect Nick Madrigal's incredible bat control could fast-track him to the majors …
Discussion: South Side Sox
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Oquendo can see five Gold Gloves in Cards' immediate future
Associated Press:
Nick Hundley agrees to minor league deal with A's
Discussion: ESPN and Athletics Nation
Associated Press:
Reliever Brad Brach, Cubs finalize $3M deal
Associated Press:
Pirates announce deal with Melky Cabrera
 

 
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