Top News:
Michael McCarthy / Front Office Sports:
Sources: NBC Taps Jason Benetti As Top MLB Announcer — Jason Benetti's inspiring journey has already included roles as a top play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports, ESPN, the Tigers, and White Sox. For his next act, Benetti is landing the choice gig of lead play-by-play announcer …
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The Philadelphia Inquirer, Yahoo Sports, Barrett Media and Awful Announcing
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers, former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen agree to minor league deal — McCutchen has been named an All-Star five times in his career. … The Texas Rangers have dug into their change pocket again to find some more money to spare for a potential right-handed outfield bat …
Discussion:
SportsNet Pittsburgh, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, MLB Trade Rumors and Associated Press
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers prospect Josue Briceño undergoes right wrist surgery — LAKELAND, FL - Detroit Tigers prospect Josue Briceño will miss time while recovering from right wrist surgery. — Briceño - the Tigers' consensus No. 4 prospect - underwent surgery Wednesday, March 4 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
John Leuzzi / USA Today:
World Baseball Classic power rankings: Which teams have best odds to win? — For the first time in three years, the World Baseball Classic is back on the baseball stage. So, who is likely to win it? — The United States, the runner-up from the 2023 World Baseball Classic …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report and ESPN
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Patrick Brown / MLB.com:
Reds ace Greene to have MRI on stiff right elbow — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Reds ace Hunter Greene is scheduled for an MRI on Friday after reporting right elbow stiffness earlier this week, manager Terry Francona said on Wednesday. The team booked the procedure after Greene woke up with the discomfort …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors, Charlie's Chalkboard and Redleg Nation
Anthony Franco / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates, Reds Swap Tyler Callihan For Kyle Nicolas — The Pirates announced they've traded relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to the Reds for left fielder/second baseman Tyler Callihan. Both players were on the 40-man roster, so there's no corresponding move. — It's a swap of talented …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Yahoo Sports, Charlie's Chalkboard, Redleg Nation and SportsNet Pittsburgh
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Former Giants fan favorite Wilmer Flores waiting for a call that may never come — Wilmer Flores is unemployed, staying in shape and hoping a team that needs a veteran bat picks up the phone, but he bears the San Francisco Giants no ill will. — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Infielder Wilmer Flores might …
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New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
MLB.com:
A's ‘always open’ to reunion with Kyler Murray, now an NFL free agent — MESA, Ariz. — Back in February 2019, the Athletics were left at the altar by Kyler Murray, who opted to forgo a professional baseball career despite signing a deal with them as their 2018 first-round Draft pick.
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post, Bleacher Report and Arizona Sports
Sonja Chen / MLB.com:
Sasaki and Sheehan? Who grabs Dodgers' final rotation spots? — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani ... and then who? — That's one question the Dodgers will need to answer with about three weeks of Spring Training exhibitions remaining.
Discussion:
True Blue LA, New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Braves' Profar faces 162-game ban, 2nd PED violation — Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks reliever a ‘special talent,’ team wins 5th straight — José M. Romero Nick PiecoroArizona Republic — Brandyn Garcia, who could be a big part of the Diamondbacks' bullpen this season, dealt with illness into this week but pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning in Cactus League play on Wednesday …
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Yahoo Sports
Joel Lorenzi / The Athletic:
Thunder's Lu Dort regrets flagrant 2 on Nikola Jokić: ‘I went over the limit’ — Share full article — CHICAGO — Lu Dort is a stocky, brick wall of a 6-foot-4 guard who's a study in irritation and spearheads a taxing Oklahoma City defense. Nikola Jokić is Denver's burly …
Discussion:
Denver Post and Bleacher Report
Darragh McDonald / MLB Trade Rumors:
Johan Rojas Reportedly Tests Positive For Performance-Enhancing Drug — Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, according to reporter Wilber Sánchez as well as Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Heyman says Rojas will be appealing the ruling.

