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9:05 PM ET, March 17, 2019

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 Top News: 
ESPN:
Yankees CF Hicks (back) to miss opening series  —  New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks told ESPN's Coley Harvey that he will miss Opening Day due to the lower back injury he has been dealing with.  —  Hicks said he will not play in the opening series against Baltimore Orioles …
Discussion: Sporting News and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Despite a 1-2-3 inning, Yankees' Betances still seeking missing 4-5-6 mph on his fastball  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Dellin Betances struck out Bryce Harper with a 90 mph fastball, after which the Yankees' reliever declared: “I think we're both not ready.”  —  Delayed to spring training …
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks misfortune creates massive Yankees ripple effect  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Aaron Hicks is not going to be ready for the first weekend of the season.  —  The center fielder needed a second cortisone shot for lower back discomfort on Sunday, meaning he will not have time to be ready …
New York Daily News:   Aaron Hicks to miss Opening Day series in latest Yankees blow
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Yasiel Puig homers twice in Cincinnati Reds' 9-9 tie against Cleveland Indians  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Yasiel Puig hit a pair of home runs, including a fourth-inning grand slam, to highlight the Reds' offense in a 9-9 tie against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on Sunday.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
These Cincinnati Reds remind one player of World Series champion Kansas City Royals  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Christian Colón delivered one of the biggest hits in Kansas City Royals history, driving in the game-winning run to clinch their organization's first World Series title in 30 years in 2015.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
With ongoing competitions, Cincinnati Reds outfielders standing out during spring training  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It's the elephant in the room that Reds outfielders don't talk about or even try to think about.  —  There are six outfielders with Major League experience and there is only so much playing time to go around.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Phillip Ervin hits 3-run homer, Anthony DeSclafani sharp in Cincinnati Reds' 5-2 win over Texas Rangers
Discussion: Red Reporter
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Seager ‘absolutely’ set for opener, Roberts says  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Corey Seager, who spent most of the 2018 season recovering from major elbow surgery, will “absolutely” be ready by Opening Day, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday morning.
RELATED:
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
After struggles of 2018, Dodgers' Austin Barnes feels more like himself at the plate
Discussion: DodgerBlue.com
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Goldschmidt will hit second; Carpenter out with back tightness  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Paul Goldschmidt, who hit 17 homers, drove in 40 runs and batted .349 while hitting second in Arizona's lineup for 47 games last season, will make his first appearance in that spot this spring on Sunday.
RELATED:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Goldschmidt will hit second for first time with Cardinals
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   What competition for Cards' bench roles reveals about O'Neill's strong grip on roster spot
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Gorman's homer ignites Cards' rally vs. Nationals
Cindy Boren / Chicago Tribune:
Philly being Philly as fans hurl threats at pitcher who struck Bryce Harper  —  The Washington Post  —  An errant pitch left Phillies fans hurling dire threats and garden-variety invective at Trent Thornton after he struck the ankle of their prized free agent Bryce Harper mere days into his career in Philly.
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Bryce Harper, Phillies can breathe huge sigh of relief
ESPN:
Harper returns as DH following HBP on ankle
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays acquire pitcher from Kansas City, Travis has knee surgery  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — There was plenty of news from Blue Jays camp Sunday morning.  —  First, the team announced the hard-luck story of Devon Travis is continuing, as the second baseman had surgery to repair a torn meniscus …
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Jason Adam; Devon Travis, Mark Leiter Jr. Undergo Surgery
Discussion: Royals Review and Bluebird Banter
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:   Jays Cheapseats: Grichuk an unlikely leadoff hitter, but he'll give it a go
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including Addison Russell's spring challenges and letting Javier Baez do his thing  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Here are five takeaways from Cubs spring training Sunday:  —  Russell's playing time in spring training will decrease soon …
Bill Plunkett / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:
Dodgers fall to Brewers despite early homers by Joc Pederson and Chris Taylor  —  THE GAME: The Milwaukee Brewers rallied for four runs in the eighth inning, coming from behind to hand the Dodgers a 9-8 defeat Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.  —  NOTE: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left …
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
‘We want to carry the innings load’: Cubs starters vow to relieve brittle bullpen  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Relief may be on the way for the Cubs' fragile bullpen.  —  That aid could come from within the organization in the form of an invigorated starting rotation that often failed to pitch …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how a serious injury to Mendez could affect the Rangers' Opening Day roster  —  It wasn't just Bloody Sunday at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.  —  The empty Texas Rangers injury report now has three players on it less than two weeks from the season opener, and they aren't players no one knows.
ESPN:
What you need to know about MLB's new rules  —  MLB and the MLB Players Association have agreed to a deal that will enact several new rules starting in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.  Here are some of the most notable rule changes and what they might mean for the game, both on and off the field.
Matt Layman / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks still sorting out Opening Day battery  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Last season, when the D-backs had Zack Greinke on the mound, the catcher almost exclusively was Jeff Mathis.  —  On Sunday, as Greinke took the mound for the D-backs at Salt River Fields in a Cactus League game …
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
AP Source: Indians, former All-Star OF Carlos Gonzalez agree to minor deal  —  The Indians have been in need of outfield help since Michael Brantley signed with Houston.  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the agreement says free agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez intends to sign …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Baseball notebook: Harper sits out with sore foot
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Announce Front Office Promotions  —  The Dodgers announced a series of promotions within the team's front office, including the elevation of Brandon Gomes to the new title of Vice President and Assistant General Manager.  Gomes' old role, the Dodgers' director of player development …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Teheran impresses again in third spring start  —  The Braves will hope this Julio Teheran shows up in Philadelphia.  —  Teheran, the likely opening-day starter, was sharp in a split-squad 7-4 loss against the Astros on Sunday.  The righty attributes his impressive spring to working …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Another year, another opt-out clause for Andrus.  How concerned should Rangers fans be?  —  The 2019 Texas Rangers, for those who need to be reminded, are Elvis Andrus' team.  —  The shortstop is the longest tenured Rangers player, entering his 11th season at only age 30 …
 
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 More News: 
Evan Grant / Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News:
Joey Gallo has mild groin strain, status for season opener is uncertain
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Minter, O'Day likely to start season on DL
Jack Thompson / Associated Press:
‘I tried to do too much’: Eloy Jimenez admits pressing to make the opening-day roster
Discussion: Chicago Tribune
Ryan Hannable / WEEI:
Red Sox officially announce Opening Day starter
Discussion: Over the Monster
ESPN:
Hinch suspended 1 spring game for ump issue
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Tom Kuebel / Arizona Sports:
D-backs and Cubs break attendance record at Salt River Fields
 Earlier Picks: 
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Miller wasn't bad, but knows he must be better. Which ‘simple’ tweak will get him there?
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees meet with MLBPA head over work stoppage fears
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: From a 3-batter minimum to only 1 trade deadline: Will these rule changes improve baseball?
Discussion: Beyond the Box Score
Jim Armstrong / Star Tribune:
Ichiro hitless as Mariners beat Yomiuri 6-4 in exhibition
Discussion: Lookout Landing
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Cory Spangenberg has demonstrated versatility in the infield and outfield in Brewers' spring camp
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

TMZ.com:
LEO DICAPRIO NOT ENGAGED TO GIRLFRIEND ... Despite Ring Speculation

 
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