Nurse Accused of Helping with Surgery While Drunk … PLAINS TOWNSHIP — A nurse is charged with being drunk while assisting on an emergency surgery at the VA Medical Center near Wilkes-Barre.  —  He admits he was at a casino drinking when he was called into work.

Uncertain future of Jose Reyes means prospect gets chance to break with team  —  The Denver Post  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After 537 games, 2,061 at-bats and 70 home runs in the minors, Trevor Story is pounding on the major-league door.  But if he wants to leave spring training …

Car Salesman Killed in Crash During Corvette Test Drive at Ontario CarMax; Driver Arrested  —  A used car salesman was killed when a red Corvette crashed during a test drive in Ontario, and the prospective car buyer was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Pirates will talk deal with Andrew McCutchen at ‘appropriate time’  —  On Monday, Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen repeated his desire to finish his career in Pittsburgh.  A day later, the Pirates' general manager said the team plans to talk contract with him at “the appropriate time.”

Sources: Dexter Fowler, Orioles strike three-year, $35M agreement  —  Free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler has agreed to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to ESPN's Buster Olney and multiple reports.  —  The deal is worth approximately $35 million, according to Olney …

Umpires Aren't Compassionate; They're Bayesian  —  Baseball fans have long known, or at least suspected, that umpires call balls and strikes differently as the count changes.  At 0-2, it seems that almost any taken pitch that is not right down the middle will be called a ball …

What's up with Jay Bruce trade saga?  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Hannah Bruce, the wife of Reds right fielder Jay Bruce, arrived in Arizona Monday night, but as of Tuesday morning, her husband said she hasn't unpacked.  —  Hannah Bruce hasn't unpacked because it's uncertain how much time there is remaining …

Bryce Harper: 'I don't think I'm a leader' … VIERA, Fla. — The reigning National League most valuable player stared at his hands, or forward into nothing, as he answered reporters' questions for the first time this season.  Occasionally, he would look up at the inquisitor, polite and respectful …

The problem isn't Pablo Sandoval's current weight—it's that he's been regressing as a player for years  —  PRESENTED BY  —  It's a perfectly awful topic, a hot-taker's delight, made for—or made possible by—the sports doldrums of late February.  But even as we enter ... what is this …

Adam LaRoche on bouncing back for White Sox: ‘Fresh record, new season’  —  White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche recaps his offseason, while manager Robin Ventura discusses his hopes of LaRoche rebounding in 2016.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Adam LaRoche couldn't help but spend …

American agent drops Cuban phenom Lazarito after death threat  —  Move by Culture39, Hairston, comes less than two weeks after 16-year-old Lazarito becomes eligible to sign with MLB club  —  The story of Lazarito, a 16-year-old Cuban phenom seeking to sign with a major-league club, has taken a dramatic and chilling turn.

Pujols tops list of MLB's biggest albatrosses (worst contracts)  —  One of the inescapable truths of baseball, like other major sports, is that a player's salary and contract situation are key components of a player's value to a franchise.  Even in a sport without a hard salary cap …

Former AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee expected to retire  —  Left-hander Cliff Lee is leaning toward calling it a career, FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday. … Lee, 37, last pitched in the majors for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014.