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1:40 PM ET, March 23, 2023

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB making small changes to pitch clock rules, memo says  —  Major League Baseball is making slight changes to its new pitch clock rules but will not alter the most significant portions of the mandates that have shaved 25 minutes off game times this spring, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.
RELATED:
ESPN:
MLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball's top 100 players  —  Who will be the best player of the 2023 MLB season?  —  Opening Day is almost here, which means it's time to break down how baseball's elite stack up against each other.  —  To create our annual MLB Rank list of the top 100 players in the sport …
Discussion: NBCSports.com and Arizona Sports
RELATED:
ESPN:
MLB Rank 2023: Top snubs, overrated and underrated players  —  Our list of the top 100 players in MLB for 2023 is out.  Naturally, it's time to talk about what we got wrong.  —  We asked four of our voters — Bradford Doolittle, Buster Olney, Jeff Passan and David Schoenfield …
Discussion: NBCSports.com
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Japan plates 2 in ninth, ousts Mexico in World Baseball Classic  —  MIAMI — Munetaka Murakami, a Japanese Triple Crown winner who, at 23, is already among the best hitters in the world, thought about bunting.  —  It was the ninth inning, two runners occupied first and second base with nobody out …
RELATED:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout as Japan edges Team USA for World Baseball Classic title  —  Ohtani whiffs his Angels teammate on a full-count slider for the final out in a matchup so many wanted to see, giving Japan a 3-2 victory over the defending champs for its first WBC crown since 2009
USA Today:
World Baseball Classic final recap: Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout to close out Japan win over USA
Meghan Montemurro / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs 3B prospect James Triantos undergoes knee surgery and will miss at least 6-8 weeks, sources say  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 53  —  Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, pitcher Kyle Hendricks, pitcher Marcus Stroman and right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
RELATED:
Meghan Montemurro / Chicago Tribune:
After watching from afar as Team Japan won the World Baseball Classic, Chicago Cubs RF Seiya Suzuki is focused on rehab  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 53  —  Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, pitcher Kyle Hendricks, pitcher Marcus Stroman and right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
Meghan Montemurro / Chicago Tribune:
Nazier Mulé, a 2-way prospect the Chicago Cubs drafted last year, will undergo Tommy John surgery
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Jed Lowrie announces retirement, reflects on 7 years with A's  —  Jed Lowrie's 14-year major-league career started with a strong rookie season for the Boston Red Sox, when the infielder stood out in the Division Series despite playing with a broken wrist.  He also spent three stints …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals opening day starter Adam Wainwright will instead begin year on injured list  —  Video by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A few hours before being named officially as the Cardinals' opening day starter for his final season in the majors …
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Brett Baty's spring training epiphany: There's no rush at third base  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — At the start of spring training, the story on Brett Baty was straightforward.  Nobody doubted his ability to hit.  There were plenty of questions about his defense.
Discussion: The Athletic
RELATED:
Associated Press:
UCF steps into unknown territory with NIT matchup at Oregon  —  The Knights try to keep their season alive today in Eugene when they play the Ducks for the first time.  —  UCF (19-14) has had an up-and-down season but can salvage the disappointment of not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament …
Discussion: Mercury News
 
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 Earlier Picks: 
Kyle Odegard / Compare.bet® US:
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Jennifer Sheehan / Morning Call:
A cool tradition: First day of spring means free Rita's
Discussion: Mercury News
 

 
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Emily Selleck / Page Six:
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