Top News:
ESPN:
Harper walks twice in 1st spring ABs with Phillies — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper drew two five-pitch walks on Saturday in his first two spring training plate appearances since signing a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. — The six-time All-Star outfielder signed a $330 million …
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Associated Press, The Good Phight, Philly.com and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Scott Lauber / The Charlotte Observer:
For Bryce Harper, a Philly survival guide presented by Pete Rose — Pete Rose heard that Bryce Harper wanted to meet him. — It was 2015, and Harper was having the best offensive season of the post-steroid era, one in which he would be crowned MVP of the National League.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
He's been all over bases this spring. Now, Pence ready for only place he hasn't been yet — Hunter Pence didn't play Friday for the Texas Rangers and wasn't in the lineup Saturday either, but it seems like he has played nearly every game this spring and played a lot when more than the average veteran.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Why Rougned Odor's hitless game has Chris Woodward thrilled — Rougned Odor has walked three or more times in a regular-season game only twice in his five-year career. — The Texas Rangers second baseman walked five times against the Orioles on Aug. 2 (he also homered) and walked three times in a game in 2017.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Billy Hamilton has no hard feelings toward the Cincinnati Reds: ‘I still want them to do well’ — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Playing against many of his former teammates Friday, Billy Hamilton couldn't stop smiling throughout the afternoon. — When players were stretching before the game …
RELATED:
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Reach Agreement With Martin Maldonado On One-Year Deal — The Royals are in agreement with free agent catcher Martin Maldonado on a one-year, $2.5MM contract, per the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter). Maldonado can earn up to $1.4MM in incentives. The deal is pending a physical.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Baseball News …, Athletics Nation, Royals Review and Bleacher Nation
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Unable to reach agreements, Cardinals renew contracts for Hicks, Flaherty — JUPITER, Fla. • Unable to reach an agreement with two of their youngest and most prominent pitchers, the Cardinals imposed salaries on starter Jack Flaherty and reliever Jordan Hicks as part of finalizing contracts with 20 players Saturday.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler has another ‘encouraging’ hit
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
A different breed: Cubs are chasing the Brewers in the homegrown-pitching department too — Chicago Tribune — As the Cubs try to bounce back from last year's second-place finish in the NL Central, there's other ground they need to gain to overtake the Brewers.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: ‘I believe in myself’: Javier Baez is getting overlooked again — and that's just the way he likes it — Photos of Cubs infielder Javier Baez. — Chicago Tribune — After Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, a prominent Las Vegas betting website installed him as a 4-1 favorite …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
From ‘boo’ to ‘Yu’: Darvish wants to win over Cubs fans after rocky 2018 season
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Associated Press:
Tanaka named Yankees' Opening Day starter — SARASOTA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka will be the New York Yankees' Opening Day starter March 28 against Baltimore, taking the spot left open by Luis Severino's shoulder trouble. — Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the decision …
Discussion:
ESPN
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Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Kenta Maeda shines in Dodgers' 2-0 exhibition win over Mariners … The Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 Saturday in a spring training game. They are 8-6-1 in Cactus League games. — ON THE MOUND: Kenta Maeda struck out four batters in three perfect innings in his third start …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Michael Fulmer's velocity still down — LAKELAND, Fla. — As far as Michael Fulmer's three Grapefruit League starts have gone, this one was the most worrisome. — Not just because of his fastball velocity - which sat between 88-92 m.p.h. …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers spring training observations: Daz Cameron making noise
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards cut 10, including SS Sosa, who had shown pop — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals cut their number of players in camp from 65 to 55 Saturday by optioning five players to Class AAA Memphis and sending five non-roster players to the minor-league complex.
Keith Matheny / Detroit Free Press:
Cover-up: Lake Superior 90% ice-covered for just 5th time in past 20 years — Drone footage of the blue ice stacked at the Straits of Mackinac, near the Mackinac Bridge. Captured by Dustin Dilworth of D3 Imagery. — CONNECT — It's a far icier winter than last year's for the Great Lakes.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' Jose Altuve scratched from lineup again with continued left side soreness — JUPITER, Fla. — For the second time in three days, Jose Altuve was scratched from the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday with continued left side soreness. — “It's the same, tightness I'd say …
Discussion:
Houston Chronicle and MLB Trade Rumors
