White Sox To Sign Austin Jackson  —  The White Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Austin Jackson on a $5MM contract, Jon Heyman writes (all Twitter links).  Jackson is a Scott Boras client.  —  Heyman notes that Jackson could have signed with the Angels for more money …

The fastball — that faithful, simple pitch — is back en vogue with the Rockies.  —  The Denver Post  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — To understand baseball, it helps to hear the game's quirky language, from the obvious ("backdoor breaking ball") to the esoteric ("golden sombrero").

Chase Utley's suspension for vicious slide overturned  —  Chase Utley's two-game suspension for a takeout slide that resulted in a broken leg, and then a rule change, was overturned on appeal and Utley will be eligible for the start of the 2016 season.  —  Utley, the Los Angeles Dodgers …

Cespedes Gets 1st Hit of Spring, Mets Beat Braves 7-5  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Yoenis Cespedes had an RBI infield single and reached base three times to help the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 7-5 on Sunday.  —  Cespedes went 1 for 2 with a walk and reached on an error.

Giants' Samardzija Fans 5 in 3 Innings, Dodgers Win 5-2  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Giants starter Jeff Samardzija struck out five in three innings Sunday in San Francisco's 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  —  Samardzija gave up one run and five hits in his second start for his new team.

Wong Goes 0 for 2 as Cards' Leadoff Man in Loss to Nationals  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Kolten Wong got a chance to bat leadoff for the St. Louis Cardinals and was hitless in two at-bats Sunday during a 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals.  —  Wong vocalized his desire to hit in the top spot during the offseason.

Top Prospects Lead Astros Split Squad Past Pirates 11-8  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Houston prospect Matt Duffy homered twice and Carlos Correa had two hits to lead an Astros split squad over the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-8 on Sunday.  —  Jake Marisnick hit a two-run shot for the Astros on a day when several …

Byung Ho Park Hits Slam for 1st Spring HR, Twins Beat Rays  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Korean slugger Byung Ho Park hit a grand slam for his first spring training homer, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Sunday.  —  Park hit a towering shot to left field …

Dan Johnson returns to Rays as knuckleballer  —  SARASOTA — Dan Johnson already has a place in Rays lore for hitting two of the most significant home runs in franchise history.  —  Now he's angling for a spot in their rotation, or maybe the bullpen.  —  Johnson — yes, that Dan Johnson …