Top News:
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wieters wins Cards' backup catcher job over Pena — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • _Matt Wieters, signed two weeks into spring training, has won the Cardinals' backup catcher job over Francisco Pena, who had it last year. Both were on non-roster contracts in camp with potential opt-outs on Friday.
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Before he gets the gold, ‘Goldy’ hits long home run — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • Paul Goldschmidt's new contract hasn't been announced yet but the Cardinals' first baseman paid the first dividend Friday with a long homer to the opposite field in right center off New York Mets lefthander Hector Santiago in the third inning.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Here's how Joey Gallo will determine the composition of the Rangers' Opening Day roster — The player who will determine the final shape of the Texas Rangers' Opening Day roster played Friday afternoon for the first time in more than a week, and his postgame report pointed to one thing:
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Hicks' April 4 return ‘a little ambitious’ says Aaron Boone — TAMPA — Aaron Hicks' goal of being ready on April 4, the first day he would be eligible to come off the disabled list, is “a little ambitious,” his manager said Friday night. The Yankee center fielder has missed nearly three weeks with “chronic,” back pain.
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Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Aaron Hicks further delayed, Clint Frazier optioned as Yankees run through outfield decisions — TAMPA, Fla. - Despite Aaron Hicks' lingering back issues, Clint Frazier's longshot path to the Bronx on opening day has come to an end. — In a series of spring training cuts on Friday …
Will Larkin / Chicago Tribune:
Details of Eloy Jimenez's record contract with the White Sox include a $5 million bonus and a potential value of $75M — Photos of Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox outfielder and No. 4-ranked prospect by Baseball America. — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox and Eloy Jimenez made it official Friday afternoon.
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
6 White Sox players who may hold the key to a more successful 2019 season
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Toronto Sun:
AP source: Cardinals, Goldschmidt completing US$130M, 5-year deal — The St. Louis Cardinals knew that Paul Goldschmidt had one year left on his contract when they acquired the slugging first baseman in an off-season trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. — They also made no secret of their desire to sign him to a long-term deal.
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Associated Press:
National League West capsules — Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year: — ___ — Los Angeles Dodgers — 2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series. — Manager: Dave Roberts (fourth season). — He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
With blister healing, Yu Darvish vows to be ready for the Cubs' opening series: 'Even now I'm ready to throw' — Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish discusses his bullpen session and recovery from a blister on Friday, March 22, 2019. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu to start opening day after Rich Hill is sidelined by knee injury … Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named Hyun-Jin Ryu the team's opening day starter Friday, ending a monthlong mystery lengthened by injuries to the club's first three choices for the nod.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com and True Blue LA
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Jorge Castillo / Los Angeles Times:
Relievers Yimi Garcia, Dylan Floro and Caleb Ferguson make Dodgers' roster
Relievers Yimi Garcia, Dylan Floro and Caleb Ferguson make Dodgers' roster
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets still have three relievers fighting for final bullpen spot — PORT ST. LUCIE — Following another early morning roster slash on Friday, the Mets have just 36 players with lockers in big-league camp. — The team will begin assembling it's Opening Day roster with just three Grapefruit League games remaining.
Associated Press:
Bregman: Slow market didn't impact Astros deal — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman's decision to sign a long-term contract with the Houston Astros was not impacted by the second slow free-agent market. — “I wanted to play here,” the third baseman said Friday after the team announced a $100 million …
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka on playing with Ichiro: ‘I treasured that experience’ — TAMPA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka, through a translator, said he “couldn't even put into words” the impact Ichiro Suzuki has made in baseball. — “He was a superstar when I was in elementary school.
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Orange County Register:
Photos: UC Irvine vs. Kansas State in NCAA Tournament — Sound — The gallery will resume inseconds — Show Caption — of
Discussion:
Associated Press and SGV Tribune
Craig Calcaterra / NBCSports.com:
Mets to honor Tom Seaver with a statue, address change — The Mets announced yesterday that Citi Field is getting a new address to honor Tom Seaver. The New York Daily News, meanwhile, reports that in addition to that there will be a Seaver statue coming to Citi Field as well.
Discussion:
WPIX 11 New York, Amazin' Avenue and CBS New York
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Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
The Astros want to extend Verlander and Cole; Harper on choosing Philly; more notes — The Astros are discussing extensions with right-handers Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, according to major-league sources. Of course they are. Seemingly every team is discussing an extension …
Discussion:
Chico Enterprise-Record, MLB Trade Rumors, Houston Chronicle and Bleacher Nation
ESPN:
Mariners prospect Filia suspended 100 games — NEW YORK — Seattle outfielder Eric Filia, the Mariners' No. 22 prospect according to MLB.com, has been suspended for 100 games following a third positive test for a drug of abuse under baseball's minor league drug program.