Top News:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Time running out for Aaron Hicks and more Yankees injury developments — Aaron Hicks still has not resumed baseball activities. — The center fielder, shut down since receiving a cortisone shot for a sore/stiff lower right back earlier this spring, is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge demolishes a 4-man outfield — TAMPA — Aaron Judge knew something was different. The Yankees slugger could see what he thought were the two corner infielders in his peripheral vision as he looked at the pitcher. Judge, however, was not that bothered by the dramatic four-man outfield shift …
Daily Record:
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge's response to a four-outfield alignment? Hit another home run — CC Sabathia pitches his first simulated game of the spring at Yankees camp, facing Troy Tulowitzki — TAMPA, Fla. - A few seconds into his first at-bat, Aaron Judge sensed something was a bit off.
Dan Martin / New York Post:
Yankees won't have Luis Severino back until May ‘at the earliest’
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals take squad of reserves to face Scherzer — JUPITER, Fla. • Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer will be surprised by the Cardinals' lineup he will face Saturday afternoon at West Palm Beach. After many of the regulars played Friday night here, only Jose Martinez …
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Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gorman homers in first Grapefruit League start, a comeback win by Cardinals' kids — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Perhaps the Cardinals have found a cure for their recent run-scoring woes. — Play the kids — preferably against pitchers not named Max Scherzer.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright has good outing, but not so the bullpen
Discussion:
Houston Chronicle, MLB Trade Rumors and Call to the Pen
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Willson Contreras scratched from Cubs' lineup; team cuts 15 players — Chicago Tribune — Catcher Willson Contreras was scratched from the Cubs' lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks because of a sore right ring finger. — Contreras suffered the injury on a foul tip Thursday against the Rangers.
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Robinson Cano shares bygone Yankees lessons in Mets clubhouse — JUPITER, Fla. - The “numbers don't matter in spring training” portion of camp is reaching an end. — Michael Conforto said he's gearing it up now that there are only eight Grapefruit League games remaining.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks playing coy on naming Opening Day starter — By pushing left-hander Robbie Ray's next start back a day, the Diamondbacks took a step toward lining up their starting rotation for the regular season, though manager Torey Lovullo remained unwilling to name an Opening Day starter.
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Homer Bailey doesn't allow a run in his best outing of the spring — A little more than a week remains before decisions must be made by the Royals brain trust, and the choice whether or not to include veteran Homer Bailey in the starting pitching rotation figures to make things interesting.
ESPN:
Sources: CarGo, Tribe reach minor league deal — Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has agreed to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan, confirming multiple reports. — He will receive a base salary of $2 million if he makes the major league roster.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Stephen Wade / Associated Press:
Ichiro, 45, doesn't know when it'll be time to quit — TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki is enjoying it while he can. — He's back in Japan and sure to play at the Tokyo Dome when the Seattle Mariners face the Oakland Athletics in two games to open the Major League Baseball season.
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Laugh all you want but the Rays are turning the ‘Opener’ and other wacky ideas into real results — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays, who consistently finish at or near the bottom of the MLB ladder in both payroll and attendance, also continually give us cause to snicker and sneer at all their analytics-driven gimmickry.
Bill Plaschke / The Charlotte Observer:
Hill could be opening day starter, and after his last exit, wouldn't that be something? — Dave Roberts was asked about the most delicious of opening day scenarios, and he bit. — With Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler both moving slowly through spring training for physical reasons, could Rich Hill be the opening day starter?
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
RedsXtra: Cincinnati Reds emphasizing new technology, specialized plans with minor leaguers — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When Reds minor leaguers begin their seasons at various affiliates and different levels of the farm system, each player will receive an individualized plan from the player development staff.
