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8:40 AM ET, March 18, 2019

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 Top News: 
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Gyorko still out; Carpenter ailing, too  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The fight between Drew Robinson and Yairo Munoz for a reserve job on the Cardinals' 25-man roster has taken on a new twist.  Infielder Jedd Gyorko will miss a couple of more days and now is ticketed …
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
A near no-hitter leaves Cardinals' lineup searching for its upswing this spring  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Before unveiling the lineup for Sunday's game against Miami, manager Mike Shildt and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt talked about the spot in the order that was going to be “a big deal” in that day's conversation.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gant's outing lacks efficiency  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The days are dwindling to a precious few in the several battles for roster spots on the Cardinals' 25-man roster.  —  One contest, for the fifth starting slot, clearly seems to be between righthander John Gant, who pitched Sunday …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Avila, Escobar homer in Diamondbacks' win over White Sox  —  Diamondbacks (ss) 7, White Sox 3  —  At the plate: C Alex Avila and 3B Eduardo Escobar each connected for their first home run of the spring.  Avila hit his on a line to the opposite field in the third inning.
Discussion: South Side Sox
RELATED:
Matt Layman / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks still sorting out Opening Day battery
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:   Decision coming soon on Zack Greinke's personal catcher
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Despite seasonal expectation, Dellin Betances' pitching still lacking speed  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Pitching in a game for the first time in a week after issues with his velocity, Dellin Betances got on the mound at Spectrum Field to face Bryce Harper right away.
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Jacoby Ellsbury touches down in Yankee town for spring  —  Jacoby Ellsbury was sighted in the Yankees clubhouse Sunday morning.  The outfielder who missed all of last season because of injuries arrived at the complex to begin his introduction to baseball activities after dealing …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:   Despite a 1-2-3 inning, Yankees' Betances still seeking missing 4-5-6 mph on his fastball
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.
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   Yasiel Puig homers twice in Cincinnati Reds' 9-9 tie against Cleveland Indians
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:   These Cincinnati Reds remind one player of World Series champion Kansas City Royals
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 …
RELATED:
George A. King III / New York Post:
Clint Frazier? Wade? Aaron Hicks injury forces Yankees into decision
Discussion: Rotoworld.com
Associated Press:
MLB: Liam Hendriks, Oakland Athletics ready to prove doubters wrong  —  TOKYO — Amid all the hoopla surrounding Suzuki Ichiro's return to Japan with the Seattle Mariners, it's been easy to overlook something else: the Oakland Athletics are here, too.  —  The A's are used to being seen as the also-rans, and even relish it.
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Kevin Acee / Sacramento Bee:
Padres expect a lot of Garrett Richards, including him helping out this season  —  The Padres almost certainly will have the youngest starting rotation in the majors this spring.  —  It is conceivable they begin the season with two rookies, two pitchers in their second season and an old man who has made eight big-league starts.
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Phillies' makeover aimed at fixing fractured clubhouse  —  When the Philadelphia Phillies lost their ninth consecutive game toward the end of last September, veteran first baseman Carlos Santana felt like he needed to send a message to his teammates whom he said spent portions of the game …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
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
Eddie Matz / ESPN:
What's it like to be a Miami Marlin?  *Rolls eyes, takes deep breath*  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Jarlin Garcia has been in the Marlins organization longer than almost any other player.  He's been there so long, fans in and around Miami refer to him as Jarlin the Marlin.
Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Atlanta Braves' exit from Disney will cut Central Florida out of Grapefruit League  —  In their first regular-season game after moving from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, the Braves hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates.  —  Six players in that game, a 3-2 Pirates victory, went on to the Hall of Fame, including Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron.
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso proves he belongs in the big leagues  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Other than a fundamental pursuit of forcing the Mets' hand, Pete Alonso had a personal goal he set out to accomplish in Mets camp.  —  Alonso said it was his intention to feel like he belonged with the team this spring.
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 …
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 …
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 …
 
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 More News: 
Luke Zahlmann / Mile High Sports:
Brendan Rodgers' lagging timeline among 2015 class deserves patience
Discussion: Purple Row
Bill Plaschke / The Charlotte Observer:
Freese has felt big moment. Now he wants LA to feel it too
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Announce Front Office Promotions
Bill Plunkett / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:
Dodgers fall to Brewers despite early homers by Joc Pederson and Chris Taylor
Discussion: Daily Breeze and Brew Crew Ball
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how a serious injury to Mendez could affect the Rangers' Opening Day roster
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Another year, another opt-out clause for Andrus. How concerned should Rangers fans be?
 Earlier Picks: 
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Teheran impresses again in third spring start
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
Ryan Hannable / WEEI:
Red Sox officially announce Opening Day starter
Discussion: Over the Monster
ESPN:
Hinch suspended 1 spring game for ump issue
Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays acquire pitcher from Kansas City, Travis has knee surgery
ESPN:
What you need to know about MLB's new rules
 

 
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