Bryce Harper will only improve as he hones his plate discipline  —  Rob Tringali/Sportschrome / Getty Images  —  On Friday afternoon, after an 8-6 loss to the Cubs, Bryce Harper stood in a tunnel behind the Nationals' dugout at Wrigley Field and spoke clinically, matter of factly, about what might have been.

Cards' Carlos Martinez leaves in fourth inning because of fatigue  —  ST. LOUIS — Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez left in the fourth inning of Friday night's 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates because of fatigue.  He will be re-examined Saturday, the team announced.

Peyton Manning visits Dolphins; Fallout on Whiteside injury and playing time decisions on Winslow, Dragic and the Wade Anthem controversy; NBA commissioner on Bosh  —  Four years after unsuccessfully trying to sign him, the Dolphins finally got Peyton Manning in their building this offseason.

Braves Acquire Anthony Recker From Indians  —  The Indians announced today that they have traded catcher Anthony Recker to the Braves in exchange for cash considerations.  The former Mets backstop will begin his return to the NL East at Triple-A Gwinnett, per the announcement.

David Ortiz and Red Sox Jump on Mistakes in Win  —  For long stretches on Sunday night, Yankees starter Luis Severino befuddled the Red Sox lineup.  Whisking along with machine-like efficiency, Severino set an unusually brisk pace for a Yankees-Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium …

WHAT BAN MIGHT REYES FACE?  —  Jose Reyes should hear his penalty from MLB for domestic abuse soon, and word is that it'll be at least 60 games and perhaps significantly longer than that.  —  Eighty games, or about a half a season, may be a fair ballpark estimate, according to some.

Blue Jays Release Michael Bourn  —  The Blue Jays released outfielder Michael Bourn from his minor league deal over the weekend, tweets John Lott of Vice Sports.  (The news, it would seem, first appeared on the Florida State League's transactions page.)  The veteran center fielder had agreed …

After Serving Suspension, Chapman Ready to Close for Yankees  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMAY 8, 2016, 9:36 P.M. E.D.T.  —  NEW YORK — Aroldis Chapman's nameplate and No. 54 are in place above his locker, which has already been stocked with T-shirts, caps, jerseys and gloves.

WHAT FOUR TEAMS ARE SHOWING KEEN EARLY INTEREST IN PITCHER TIM LINCECUM?  —  The # WhiteSox, # Angels and # Diamondbacks are among teams known to have joined the San Francisco Giants with early interest in star free agent pitcher Tim Lincecum, who conducted the world's most-watched showcase by wearer of cargo shorts Friday.

How baseball's key offseason trades have worked out so far  —  Some have been good for all parties involved.  Others?  Not so much.  —  With the exception of two rough outings, Craig Kimbrel's Red Sox career has started off very well.  The deal Dave Dombrowski made to obtain …

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMAY 8, 2016, 12:15 P.M. E.D.T.  —  With two outs in the second inning and a pitcher with a .089 career average at the plate, an announcer can usually start thinking about the transition to the commercial break.  —  When Bartolo Colon stepped into the batter's box Saturday night …