Top News:
Ira Winderman / Sun-Sentinel:
Herro's 33 not enough as Heat fall 106-92 in Toronto in injury absence of Butler — TORONTO — No, not optimal. — Coming off a game when they arguably were at their worst, the Miami Heat faced the challenge of responding to that adversity in the void of their best player. — It went as expected.
Discussion:
Mercury News and Associated Press
RELATED:
Ira Winderman / Sun-Sentinel:
Winderman's view: A night of painted misery for Heat in loss in Toronto — TORONTO — Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night's 106-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors: — At just about every turn, the Miami Heat have avoided the next big thing. — Jae Crowder at power forward worked.
Discussion:
DraftKings Nation
Andrew Baggarly / The Athletic:
Giants chairman Greg Johnson assesses team, commits to Farhan Zaidi beyond 2023 — SAN FRANCISCO — Giants chairman Greg Johnson made his best personal pitch to Aaron Judge this offseason. Johnson approved the $350 million contract with Carlos Correa that would have nearly doubled the largest guaranteed sum in franchise history.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles and San Francisco Chronicle
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Pitch clock shaved 26 minutes off MLB spring training games — The use of a pitch clock shaved 26 minutes off spring training games this spring compared to last year as Major League Baseball is set to use it for the first time in the regular season beginning Thursday.
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Baseball News …, Washington Post, The Ringer and The Athletic
Jacob Meyer / Baltimore Sun:
Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles' top pitching prospect, won't make starting rotation to begin season — SARASOTA, Fla. — Grayson Rodriguez's much-anticipated arrival to the major leagues will have to wait, as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde informed the top pitching prospect Monday morning that he would instead begin the season in Triple-A.
Discussion:
Mercury News, Camden Chat, BaltimoreBaseball.com and The Athletic
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Ump ejects Phillies' J.T. Realmuto after awkward ball handoff — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected Monday from a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays for an awkward ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation.
Discussion:
USA Today and The Good Phight
RELATED:
Matt Kawahara / San Francisco Chronicle:
Outfielder Cristian Pache, out of minor-league options, will not make A's roster — Cristian Pache will not make the Oakland Athletics' season-opening roster, manager Mark Kotsay said on Monday night, making it possible the center fielder will not be in the organization much longer.
Discussion:
The Athletic, Mercury News, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and FanSided
Abbey Mastracco / New York Daily News:
Mets DFA struggling outfielder Darin Ruf — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have made a decision about struggling DH Darin Ruf, designating him for assignment. — The 36-year-old right-handed hitter won't be included on the club's Opening Day roster. Instead, the Mets will select outfielder Tim Locastro …
Discussion:
Reading Eagle, New York Post, The Athletic and Newsday
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets give up on Darin Ruf after disastrous run with team
Mets give up on Darin Ruf after disastrous run with team
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Trade Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, New Jersey Online, MLB Baseball News … and FanSided
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Hoerner, Cubs agree on 3-year, $35 million extension — Second baseman Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $35 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, locking up the team's most productive player last season for an extra season before he was due to hit free agency.
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Joey Votto to begin Cincinnati Reds season on injured list, ending his Opening Day streak — For the first time since 2008, a stretch of 14 consecutive seasons, Joey Votto won't be written into the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day lineup. — Votto announced Monday he will begin a Triple …
Discussion:
ESPN and The Athletic
ESPN:
MLB season preview: Rankings, playoff odds for all 30 teams — MLB opening week is here — and if you blinked this offseason, you missed a lot. — With some of the game's most recognizable faces in new places, it's time to reset the rankings for 2023. Will newcomer Xander Bogaerts …
Discussion:
The Ringer and Call to the Pen
USA Today:
MLB predictions 2023: Expert picks for World Series, division winners, MVP and Cy Young awards — Major League Baseball's 2023 season begins with opening day on Thursday, March 30, the first games in what should be a memorable campaign filled with intrigue, star power, controversy and discourse around the new rules.
Discussion:
MLB.com and MLB Baseball News …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
How Padres erased 30-game deficit to Dodgers (on paper) — A remarkable turnaround unfolded this winter. ESPN Films isn't going to make a “30 for 30” documentary about it, but in its own way it was an exceptional thing: — Without a single regular-season game played …
Discussion:
Daily News
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
What change Nolan Gorman made to get back in the swing, launch himself as Cardinals DH — SARASOTA, Fla. — The swing change Nolan Gorman needed to power his way back to the majors began not with a bat in his hand but a medicine ball. — Early in the offseason, Gorman's quest to connect …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos