Top News:
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.
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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.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gomber succumbs to homers again as Mets rip Cards 9-1 — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • _ Austin Gomber never has been what you'd call a gopher baller, i.e., someone who surrenders home runs with regularity. — The Cardinals' lefthander gave up 17 homers in 143 innings at Class AA Springfield in 2017.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Decisions, decisions: Cubs must weigh many factors when finalizing their opening-day roster — Chicago Tribune — It came as a minor surprise last spring when Cubs cut ties with reliever Justin Grimm, handing him nearly $540,000 in termination pay. — But this is the time in spring training …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Brew Crew Ball
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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:
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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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.
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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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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:
Daily News, 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 …
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
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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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.
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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 …
ESPN:
Sources: D-backs to sign OF Jones to 1-year deal — Free-agent outfielder Adam Jones has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. — A first-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2003, Jones was one of five players traded …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Angels score six runs in the ninth against Mariners bullpen for a 9-9 tie — Right-handers Wyatt Mills and Jack Anderson couldn't hold a 9-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. — Mariners 9, Angels 9 at Tempe Diablo Stadium — Notable — Up 9-2 going into the eighth inning …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Matt Breen / Baltimore Sun:
Aaron Nola, who struck out 6 in Sunday's win over the O's, looking forward to ‘crazy’ opening day — Aaron Nola pitches in the first inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday in Sarasota, Fla. Nola is looking forward …