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 …

Yankees snipe at Mets in revenue-sharing gripe  —  Baseball's collective-bargaining negotiations again have the potential to pit not only owners against players, but owners against owners.  —  One example: The Yankees are upset about the money they are paying in revenue sharing compared to their cross-town rival Mets.

Jake Arrieta's blister makes Cubs cautious over his opening day start  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The next few days will determine whether 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta will start on opening night for the Cubs.  —  Despite Arrieta's optimism less than 24 hours …

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 …

Cuba open to welcoming back defectors to field powerhouse team again  —  Mark Fishman / Yardbarker / Yardbarker  —  Could the likes of Jose Abreu, Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig play on the Cuban national team at next year's World Baseball Classic?  —  “Everything is on the table,” …

How Tyler Naquin added muscle, pop this off-season: Cleveland Indians briefing  —  Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin watches the flight of his home run in the fourth inning Wednesday against Kansas City at Goodyear Ballpark.  It was Naquin's second homer of the game.  (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press)

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 …

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.

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 …