Top News:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Slimmer Cecil struggles on mound for Cardinals — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • With fewer innings remaining to find his way and more pounds to add to his weight, Cardinals lefty Brett Cecil appeared in a game for the first time in 11 days and continued to find results that, like his frame, are thin.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notebook: Gomber gives up two more gopher balls, six runs — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • Before Sunday's exhibition game here against the New York Mets, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said he saw lefthander Austin Gomber, his starter for the game, as one able to either start or relieve, just as he did last year.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including some dunk-tank fun and Kyle Hendricks' love of the curveball — Photos from the Cubs' 7-5 loss to the Brewers during spring training on March 10, 2019, in Phoenix. — Chicago Tribune — Here are five takeaways from Cubs spring training Sunday:
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Jeff McNeil thrives anywhere the Mets put him — PORT ST. LUCIE - Jeff McNeil is showing the Mets that he can excel at any position. — The 26-year-old dismantled a leadoff home run to right field in the third inning of the Mets 9-1 rout against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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J.P. Hoornstra / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:
Julio Urías exercises impressive restraint, while Dodgers attempt to restrain his usage — SCOTTSDALE - A decade ago, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin was catching a rookie left-hander named Clayton Kershaw. Sunday he caught another young left-hander, Julio Urías, who is effectively restarting his young career at age 22.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Daily Breeze
Jim Souhan / Kansas City Star:
Twins' Byron Buxton carrying more bulk, moxie this season — Byron Buxton has changed. He is bigger and stronger. Already one of baseball's fastest players, he says he gained speed this winter. — But that's not the change that matters the most. The soft-spoken small-town kid …
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Tanner Roark ‘ran out of a little gas’ after strong start in Cincinnati Reds' loss to Arizona Diamondbacks — Tanner Roark says his first 3 innings against the D-Backs were his best of the spring, striking out 6. Roark gave up a three-run homer in the 4th. — CONNECT
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Associated Press:
King Felix upset he won't start Opening Day — PEORIA, Ariz. — Felix Hernandez doesn't think he could have changed the mind of Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais about Opening Day even by pitching well this spring. — With his ERA approaching 16, it's a moot point. — King Felix is royally agitated anyway.
Discussion:
USA Today and The Seattle Times
Dan Szymborski / ESPN:
Which MLB teams picked up the most wins this winter — It seems hard to believe given that Manny Machado and Bryce Harper only recently signed with their new teams, but baseball's stateside Opening Day is just over two weeks away. There are still a few quality free agents out there …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Letters from Detroit Tigers spring training: Stirring the pot in Lakeland — Detroit Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd and wife, Ashley, weren't looking for this cause. But ending sex slavery in Uganda has become their mission. — CONNECT … FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dear Mom,
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Tom Haudricourt / USA Today:
Brewers players consider Bob Uecker one of their own, including divvying up playoff money — SportsPulse: Now that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have signed we can finally look ahead to actual baseball. Here are the storylines that will define the MLB in 2019. — CONNECT
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Who is White Sox prospect Dylan Cease? — White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease at spring training on Feb. 14, 2019. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Dylan Cease beat fraternal twin Alec Cease to the earth by one minute. Ever since, they've engaged in (mostly) friendly competitions.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Dellin Betances worry lingers over Yankees' mind-blowing bullpen — TAMPA — The Yankees invested in and built up their bullpen this winter to be dominant. On paper, they could have the best in baseball with the addition of Adam Ottavino and return of Zack Britton, and a back end featuring Dellin Betances …
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Projecting the Phillies' opening day roster | Extra Innings — Bryce Harper agreed to terms on his record-setting contract 11 days ago. He held his introductory news conference atop the Spectrum Field dugout nine days ago. He got his first at-bats in a simulated game five days ago.
Discussion:
Philly.com
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
Castellanos, OK after being hit by pitch, open to extension talks with Tigers — Lakeland, Fla. - After dodging somewhat of a bullet on Sunday, Nick Castellanos made it known that he was open to discussing a contract extension with the Tigers. — First things first: He was hit …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
Dues paid, apprenticeship served, Tigers' Christin Stewart ready to fulfill promise
Dues paid, apprenticeship served, Tigers' Christin Stewart ready to fulfill promise
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This Rangers season could be rough, but that doesn't mean these milestones won't fall — So you don't have all that much faith that 2019 will be kind to your Texas Rangers? — Let's be honest, it probably won't be. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the team and the game and, of course, the final season at Globe Life Park.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Latest Rangers roster projection for Opening Day finds a place for a two-way player — Hunter Pence has made the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster. — Oh, nothing is official yet, but the veteran outfielder has done enough this spring to be at Globe Life Park on March 28 against the Chicago Cubs.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Masahiro Tanaka shuts down Yankees Opening Day doubts — TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka thinks his playoff experience will help this time. — The Yankee right-hander has started three Opening Days without much success. With him on the mound for the opening game in 2015, '16 and '17 …