Phillies Sign Pete Mackanin To New Extension  —  The Phillies have announced that manager Pete Mackanin has been signed to a new contract that will cover the 2016 and 2017 seasons.  The deal also includes a club option for 2018.  —  This fresh contract overwrites the extension Mackanin received …

D-backs seek Chase Field upgrades, threaten to sue or leave  —  PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are threatening to sue Maricopa County and leave downtown Phoenix unless their ballpark is upgraded.  —  In a letter to county officials Thursday, the Diamondbacks say the county has failed …

In N.F.L., Deeply Flawed Concussion Research and Ties to Big Tobacco  —  The National Football League was on the clock.  —  With several of its marquee players retiring early after a cascade of frightening concussions, the league formed a committee in 1994 that would ultimately issue …

Astros Release Neal Cotts  —  The Astros have released lefty Neal Cotts, the club announced.  Cotts was in camp on a minor league deal that contained an opt-out for March 26 if he wasn't on Houston's MLB roster.  —  The release is something of an unfortunate birthday present for Cotts …

Photo of girls holding hands during nap time melts hearts  —  CLARKSDALE, Miss. — A photo taken of two little girls during nap time at their school is melting hearts across the Internet.  —  This sweet picture was taken while the girls were taking a snooze on a mat at the Presbyterian Day School in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Angels Notes: Another setback stops C.J. Wilson's rehab  —  TEMPE, Ariz. - C.J. Wilson's slowdown has now ground to a halt.  —  Wilson has stopped throwing entirely, and he is not expected to pick up a ball for another eight to 10 days, Manager Mike Scioscia said Friday.

Miggy, Aroldis among the players ranked too high in BBTN 100  —  Over the weekend, I discussed eight players that I felt should have made our Baseball Tonight top 100 players, otherwise known as the BBTN 100.  Now I'm going to look at the flip side, those players ranked too high on our list …

Royals' newcomers marvel at great team chemistry  —  Several have noted how players genuinely care for one anotherand root for their success  —  They believe that is a key to the team's success, and manager Ned Yost agrees  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Left-hander David Huff was talking recently …

RGIII joins Browns as Broncos wait out Kaepernick … FORT LAUDERDALE - By itself, the Robert Griffin III contract agreement with the Cleveland Browns had no impact on the quarterback situation in Denver.  —  RGIII became the Browns' new backup quarterback after it became evident the Broncos …

Diamondbacks' middle infield competition is going even better than they'd hoped  —  The competition for the Diamondbacks' middle-infield positions is going even better than the team anticipated.  —  Jean Segura entered Thursday batting .525 with a 1.312 OPS.  Nick Ahmed wasn't far behind, batting .422 with a 1.146 OPS.

Alex Rodriguez says he'll retire after 2017 season  —  Alex Rodriguez plans on retiring at the end of the 2017 season after playing out his contract with the New York Yankees, the designated hitter told ESPN on Wednesday.  —  “I won't play after next year,” Rodriguez told ESPN on Wednesday.