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3:45 PM ET, March 15, 2019

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 Top News: 
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Leadoff is Carpenter's, but Cardinals' Bader enjoys chance to set table  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  • Let the record show that Matt Carpenter's non-batting-gloves-wearing grip remains locked to the leadoff role he has thrived in as a Cardinal.  —  Manager Mike Shildt, unlike his predecessor …
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright, Ponce de Leon both to start against Astros  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Cardinals bench coach Oliver Marmol will have more of the “A” team Friday night as the Cardinals engage in a split-squad doubleheader with the Houston Astros.  One game will be here at 5:05, Central time …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Another strong outing for Wacha, who might be in Cards camp for last time  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Michael Wacha seems to be having more fun in the Cardinals' clubhouse this spring than he probably ever has.  —  Part of that surely could attest to his side feeling good …
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cardinals narrow their focus to Hudson vs. Gant for final rotation spot
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Seager plays SS for 1st time since April  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Corey Seager played shortstop in a game for the first time since April 29, logging three innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a minor league exhibition.  —  The 2016 NL Rookie of the Year had surgery May 4 to repair …
RELATED:
Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' split squads defeat Reds and Padres at spring training
Discussion: True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Taylor to get MRI, testing Nats' thin depth at OF  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor favored his left leg as he limped through the clubhouse Friday before heading to have an MRI on his sore knee and hip.  —  Manager Dave Martinez called the test precautionary …
RELATED:
Mark Zuckerman / Nationals Pastime:
Taylor injures left knee making diving catch (updated)
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
Life after Harper? Juan Soto can be what Bryce was ... and more
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Albert Almora Jr. leading off for Cubs against White Sox; David Bote will start at shortstop  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. will lead off Friday when the Cubs travel to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., to face the White Sox.  —  Almora went -for-3 from the ninth spot Thursday …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Theo Epstein is impressed by the Cubs' bullpen depth — so don't expect any late additions
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Win now and win later: The Cubs and White Sox are eyeing different goals as opening day nears
Adam Grosbard / Orange County Register:
Jordan Roberts' game-winner completes Long Beach State's comeback win over Hawaii at Big West Tournament  —  ANAHEIM — An 18-point deficit in the opening minutes seemed to spell doom for Long Beach State against Hawaii in the Big West Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night.
RELATED:
Bob Keisser / Orange County Register:
UC Irvine rides stingy defense past UC Riverside, into Big West tourney semifinals
Charlotte Knights / The Charlotte Observer:
Gabriel Burns: Why can't Ronald Acuna be the 2019 MVP?  —  BY GABRIEL BURNS THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION  —  Tuesday was the typical afternoon for Ronald Acuna.  Before homering in his second consecutive game, he drew oohs and awes in batting practice, twice putting balls over the mountainous scoreboard in center field.
Discussion: Talking Chop
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Zack Wheeler picking up where he left off for Mets  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Long on talent and short on on-field production for years, Zack Wheeler reached another level last summer, posting a 1.59 ERA in his last 10 starts and consistently pitching into the late innings.
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:   Mets backup shows why he is a ‘dangerous weapon to have’
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
What Judge, Yankees think about HR Derby winner getting $1 million  —  TAMPA — A pinstriped update on the 2019 Home Run Derby, in the wake of Thursday's announcement there will be $2.5 million in prize money, including $1 million for the winner, added to the proceedings:  —Aaron Judge is very likely out.
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
Tigers' Fulmer hopeful, but odds are against him starting season on time  —  Lakeland, Fla. - On the walk-up to the TigerTown administrative offices at about 7:30 Friday morning, out in the mist on the short field alongside the batting cages, was Michael Fulmer, in uniform, throwing long toss in preparation for a bullpen session.
Discussion: NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Tigers shelve RHP Fulmer to work on mechanics
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
It's a Miracle!  News finally catches up with Jerry Grote, the hard-to-find catcher from the '69 Mets  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Texas twang on the other side of the phone line was unmistakingly Jerry Grote's, even if the former Mets catcher himself has not been heard from in more than 30 years.
Eduardo A. Encina / Tampa Bay Times:
The Rays' latest challenge to baseball convention: Four outfielders  —  Tampa Bay could potentially use the alignment against 15-20 hitters this season.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Spring training is the time to experiment, and the Rays are never afraid to try something different.
Discussion: DRaysBay
Robert Klemko / Sports Illustrated:
The Big Ben Problem in Pittsburgh, According to Two Ex-Steelers  — Two generational talents have officially left the organization, and two other ex-Steelers point to the quarterback as the root of the franchise's problems.  —  In the social media storm that comes with the first days of free agency, a lot can fly under the radar.
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Can anyone catch Mike Trout as baseball's best player?  —  play  —  Mike Trout has been baseball's consensus best player for a long time now.  That was reflected this week in the unveiling of our annual MLB Rank Top 100, which once again placed Trout at the top of the heap.
New York / Boston Globe:
MLB changes All-Star selection process and pace-of-play rules for 2019  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — In a tangible sign of cooperation between the commissioner's office and a skeptical players' association, MLB and the union announced several rule changes Thursday that will affect the trading deadline …
 
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 More News: 
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Luis Severino Likely Out Until May
SNY:
Steven Matz looks to regroup as Mets take on Nationals
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
'He's doing all the right things': Tim Peterson is standing out among Mets relievers
Discussion: Amazin' Avenue
Adam Jude / The Seattle Times:
A bromance blooms between Mariners prospects Julio Rodriguez, Jarred Kelenic
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Why do managers and coaches sit outside the dugout during spring training games?
Joe Noga / Plain Dealer:
Which of the new MLB rules changes will impact the Cleveland Indians the most?
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
The Pete Alonso Dilemma: games in April count as much as games in September
 Earlier Picks: 
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Improved discipline at plate paying off for Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernandez
Jason Henry / Orange County Register:
Santa Anita announces tighter rules on medication, whips in wake of 22nd horse death
Bob Nightengale / Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
MLB's new rule could force pitching specialists to become extinct
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Manny Machado and the Padres already feels like a solid marriage
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Predicting the next top-100 player for all 30 teams
Discussion: NESN.com
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Is Estevan Florial ‘a young Bernie Williams’ or a future bust?
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Tamantha Ryan / Page Six:
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy accuses him of rape, physical abuse amid Diddy lawsuit drama — but he denies it

People:
Gypsy Rose Blanchard Announces Separation from Husband 3 Months After Prison Release

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

 
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