Top News:
Sacramento Bee:
Ichiro walks off into history in ‘sayonara’ at Tokyo Dome — Ichiro Suzuki has said “sayonara.” — The 45-year-old Seattle Mariners star announced his retirement Thursday night, shortly after waving goodbye at the Tokyo Dome during a 5-4 win over Oakland in 12 innings.
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Martin Gallegos / Mercury News:
A's fall to Mariners in extras from Tokyo in Ichiro's final MLB game — A's lose in Ichiro's final MLB game, Matt Olson injures hand — TOKYO — A storybook ending to the career of one of baseball's all-time legends came at the expense of the A's. — The A's had plenty of chances …
Discussion:
Marin Independent Journal and Reuters
Stephen Wade / Associated Press:
Ichiro Suzuki will reportedly retire after Mariners-A's in Japan
Ichiro Suzuki will reportedly retire after Mariners-A's in Japan
Discussion:
Associated Press, New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As Ichiro waves goodbye to baseball, Masahiro Tanaka opens up about his time with the legendary hitter
New York Daily News:
Ichiro walks off to loud cheers in Tokyo then announces retirement; Mariners beat A's 5-4 in 12
Ichiro walks off to loud cheers in Tokyo then announces retirement; Mariners beat A's 5-4 in 12
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
In Ichiro's finale, Seattle tops A's; Matt Olson lost to hand injury
In Ichiro's finale, Seattle tops A's; Matt Olson lost to hand injury
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Al Avila on Nicholas Castellanos contract: 'He knows it's on our mind' — LAKELAND, Fla. — The loss of Michael Fulmer for the season to Tommy John surgery has raised a lot of questions about the Tigers' rotation, enough that general manager Al Avila called an impromptu 8 …
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Michael Fulmer has a long road to recovery. Here's when the Tigers think he could return — LAKELAND, Fla. — Al Avila had a lot on his mind. — So, at 6:53 on Thursday morning, the Tigers sent out a text message saying Avila, the team's fourth-year general manager …
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Miguel Cabrera shows off his power
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
How Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull set himself up for starting spot
How Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull set himself up for starting spot
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Trout plays full game a day after landing rich deal — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus likes to have his regulars play nine innings at least once in a spring training game and on Thursday, it was Mike Trout's turn against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals' eventful day ends with humdrum loss to Washington — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • Given all that had already happened for the Cardinals on Thursday, from a sunup announcement that Alex Reyes had made the team out of the bullpen and the sundown news that Paul Goldschmidt had a new …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Phils' Harper hits first HRs; 'Cutch, Realmuto also go deep — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper has been playing catch-up since his free agency carried over into spring training. — With a week left until opening day, the Philadelphia Phillies' big-money addition looks ready to pay off.
Robert Murray / The Athletic:
What would Craig Kimbrel mean to the Brewers? Continued bullpen dominance — PHOENIX — The Brewers' signing of catcher Yasmani Grandal to a one-year, $18.25 million deal was one of the most unexpected moments of the offseason. But really, it was the organization taking advantage …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Brew Crew Ball and NBCSports.com
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Corey Knebel Undergoing Examination For UCL Injury
Corey Knebel Undergoing Examination For UCL Injury
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets tag Brandon Nimmo as leadoff batter on Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE — Brandon Nimmo may have a knack for speeding up time. — Two weeks ago the outfielder said, “It kind of feels like it's January with the bat.” — On March 7, Nimmo was batting .133 with zero home runs.
RELATED:
Daily Record:
Mets Brandon Nimmo heating up; Todd Frazier, Jed Lowrie likely not ready for opening day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Thursday marked exactly a week before the start of the regular season. And it's pretty clear that Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo is ready for the games to mean something.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jason Heyward is prepared for the uncertainty of the 2019 season: 'Right now I'm just trying to look at pitches' — Photos of Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward. — Chicago Tribune — Jason Heyward's Cubs career has had glimpses of promise only to be tempered by injuries or regression.
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Associated Press:
Blake Snell, Rays agree to $50 million, 5-year contract — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will go into his first career opening-day start with a lot more financial security than he envisioned just a few days ago.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Sam Miller / ESPN:
How many complete games will be thrown in 2019? Thirty? Ten? None? — If asked how baseball has changed most over the past three decades, the answer could be the precipitous decline of the complete game. Lots of things change in scale, in frequency, in importance.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Greg Bird x-rays negative for break — TAMPA — Greg Bird and the Yankees got good news Thursday. x-rays in the first baseman's elbow came back negative for a break. He had been scratched from Thursday's game in Jupiter after being hit in the right elbow with a pitch on Wednesday.
Houston Mitchell / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Dugout: Who starts on opening day for the Dodgers? — Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell and opening day is one week from today. — Spring training update — Opening day is a week away, and there are some things to discuss before then, so let's get to it.
Discussion:
Sporting News and Beyond the Box Score
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Source: Cardinals finalizing extension with Goldschmidt for club record sum — Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt watches teammates hit before he takes batting practice at spring training camp in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com — Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
The Red Sox haven't talked contract with J.D. Martinez. But why? — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Just before the media surrounded Mookie Betts Wednesday morning to get his thoughts on baseball's biggest contract agreement - Mike Trout's $430 million extension - J.D. Martinez sat at his locker signing baseballs …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and NESN.com
Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds first-base coach Delino DeShields enjoys father-son moment — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before Wednesday's spring training against the Texas Rangers, Reds first-base coach Delino DeShields exchanged lineup cards with his son, Delino, who started in center field for the Rangers, at home plate.
Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
9 observations from a week at Cleveland Indians' Spring Training — The Cleveland Indians will kick off their 2019 season next Thursday when they face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians are just a week away from kicking off their 2019 season …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers inform Willie Calhoun that he won't be on the Opening Day roster. Here's why — The Texas Rangers' roster for Opening Day is all but set, and Willie Calhoun won't be on it. — The outfielder received the bad news Thursday morning as the Rangers cleared up a few of their lingering roster decisions.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
José Peraza drives in 3 runs during Cincinnati Reds' 14-6 spring loss to Kansas City Royals — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - In the first game of a split-squad, day-night doubleheader Thursday, the Reds pounded eight hits and six went for extra bases in a 14-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Ballpark.
Daily Record:
Gio Gonzalez flashes new pitch, CC Sabathia starts on minor league side at Yankees camp — Lefty Gio Gonzalez speaks at Yankees camp after throwing his first bullpen since signing a one-year minor league deal — TAMPA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez's first bullpen session at Steinbrenner Field …