Top News:
The Athletic:
Meet Mason Saunders, the secret rodeo identity of Madison Bumgarner — The picture is a bit blurry. — The photo is of two men standing in front of a backdrop featuring the logo of Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg, Ariz. They've just won $26,560 in a team-roping rodeo competition …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Some first-game adventures for Rays, Pete Fairbanks — Loss to Red Sox comes down to suspenseful final out; relief candidate got into and out of jams. — FORT MYERS — The Rays' first spring training game took a couple of interesting turns. — Especially at the end …
RELATED:
Eduardo Encina / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays prospect Brendan McKay slowed by shoulder stiffness
Rays prospect Brendan McKay slowed by shoulder stiffness
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Fans heckling Astros at spring opener get signs confiscated — MLB, Houston Astros, Washington Nationals — Fans hoping to heckle the sign-stealing Houston Astros at the team's spring opener were met with quite the coincidence. — They got their signs taken.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Union prefers Rays stay put but could approve Montreal plan — Tony Clark says “strong preference” is a full-time Tampa Bay stadium, but he adds it's not impossible the players union could agree to the sharing plan. — PORT CHARLOTTE — Baseball's players union would prefer the Rays find a full time …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
James Paxton still optimistic he'll be back in May — TAMPA — James Paxton is “optimistic” he could begin his throwing program in 10 days if his rehab continues to go smoothly. The Yankee left-hander had surgery to repair a disc in his lower back earlier this month and was projected to be rehabbing for three to four months.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Mike Foltynewicz, Mike Soroka will pitch later this week — The last two Braves All-Star pitchers, Mike Soroka and Mike Foltynewicz, will be making their spring debuts this week. — Foltynewicz will start Tuesday against the Twins. Soroka will pitch sometime later, according to manager Brian Snitker.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
John Tomase / NBCSports.com:
David Ortiz, Derek Jeter already recognize greatness in Red Sox' Rafael Devers — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Rafael Devers understands most questions in English before they're translated into Spanish by Red Sox communications manager Bryan Almonte. — But on Friday morning at JetBlue Park …
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
The most interesting non-roster player for all 30 MLB teams — The rites of spring: pitchers and catchers, Jose Altuve's tattoo and, of course, non-roster invitees. This is one of my favorite articles to write every season, going through all the non-roster players and pulling out an interesting name for each franchise.
Discussion:
NESN.com
TC Zencka / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Extend Leury Garcia's Contract To Include 2021 Team Option — The Chicago White Sox signed Leury Garcia to a one-year, $3.5MM guaranteed deal today, per MLB.com's Scott Merkin. The deal includes a $3.25MM base salary for 2020 with a $3.5MM team option for 2021.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
Marlins hope ‘continuity’ between pitchers & coach results in improvement on the mound — Mel Stottlemyre Jr. knew the challenge he had ahead of him last season. — He had a young, impressionable pitching staff to work with and was in his first season as the Miami Marlins' pitching coach.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Royals counting on Mike Montgomery to help anchor starting rotation — Last summer, the Kansas City Royals took advantage of Salvador Perez's season-ending surgery and turned that bad break into an experienced addition to the pitching staff with an eye towards this year's starting rotation.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Gabriel Burns / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves relievers embrace high expectations — If the Braves capture their third consecutive National League East title, if they finally reach that elusive NL Championship Series (or further), it means a well-compensated bullpen lived up to its billing. — This spring differs from recent years …
Discussion:
Talking Chop