Rangers Sign Ian Desmond  —  Ian Desmond's drawn out free agency has come to a close, as the Rangers announced today that they've signed Desmond to a one-year contract that reportedly guarantees the longtime National $8MM for the 2016 campaign.  Desmond, a client of Sports One Athlete Management …

Troy Tulowitzki says he's done feeling bitter at the Rockies  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - The subject came up more than once during the postseason, in casual conversation, during formal interviews.  —  Troy Tulowitzki, instead of savoring his first playoff appearance since 2009 …

Church shooting suspect court date delayed  —  DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Daniel Schooler was due in court Monday after a fatal shooting in a Dayton church Sunday.  —  Dayton Municipal Court officials say the 68-year-old has not been formally charged and instead, may be arraigned Tuesday.

Which locations make the most sense for MLB expansion?  —  Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters recently that he's interested in expanding from 30 to 32 franchises.  The sport's growing revenues support the concept, and Manfred cited the favorable schedule of 16-team leagues split into four divisions of four.

The perfect ending for David Ortiz is a farewell tour that we remember as a victory tour  —  At age 40, Big Papi remains the heart of the Red Sox and at the heart of the batting order.  —  PRESENTED BY  —  Being that it is the month that brought my sixth birthday, my recollections …

Cole upset at Pirates over salary  —  BRADENTON, Fla. - Gerrit Cole is the emerging star of the Pirates' starting rotation.  —  As the team set his salary for 2016, however, Cole feels he was treated like a second-class player.  —  On Saturday, Cole grudgingly signed a deal for $541,000 in base salary.

Beauty site mistakes Whoopi Goldberg for Oprah Winfrey  —  RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Beauty website, Total Beauty, mistakes Whoopi Goldberg for Oprah Winfrey during the red carpet arrivals at the 88th annual Academy Awards.  —  The site sent out a tweet commenting on a tattoo stating, “We had no idea @Oprah was #tatted, and we love it.”

Cincinnati Reds look to Devin Mesoraco to mold young pitchers  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - There are nine pitchers in the mix to be in the rotation for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day.  Devin Mesoraco has caught one of them.  For six innings.  —  Before his 2015 season was derailed by a hip issue …

Reports: 4 injured, 2 from gunshots at Butler County high school  —  MADISON TOWNSHIP — Authorities are investigating a shooting at a Butler County high school.  —  Two students were shot and two were injured, possibly by shrapnel, according to Rodney Muterspaw, Middletown Police Chief.

Cubs convinced Addison Russell will thrive at shortstop  —  MESA, Ariz. — Some people have epiphanies when they're struck by bolts of lightning.  Addison Russell inadvertently glimpsed his destiny via a beer sign on the north side of Chicago.  —  In 2010, Russell was a 16-year-old high …

Minor League Transactions: Feb. 19-25  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Feb. 19-25.  —  New!  The Baseball America Minor League Free Agent Tracker is now much more comprehensive than it was last week.

Shane Victorino signs with Cubs hoping to make roster, go on title run  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs signed outfielder Shane Victorino to a minor league deal Friday with an invitation to big league camp.  —  Victorino will earn $1 million in base salary if he makes the major league club …