Catcher Christian Vazquez, Red Sox reach deal through 2021  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Catcher Christian Vazquez and the Boston Red Sox have reached agreement on a new contract that takes him through the 2021 season.  —  The deal announced Saturday includes a team option for 2022.

National League capsules: 2017 division champs should repeat  —  • Outfielder Bryce Harper is headed toward free agency and a record-shattering contract.  This is his chance to prove he is worth epic money.  Can the Nationals keep him?  If not, can they win a title before he leaves?

‘It was ugly’: Rangers minor league coach struck in face by line drive  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Howard Johnson, the former MLB third baseman now serving as hitting coach for the Texas Rangers' Triple-A team, was struck in the face Saturday by a foul line drive into the dugout and taken to an area hospital.

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … The Diamondbacks chose the path of least resistance in aligning their first two starters for the season-opening series against the Colorado Rockies, naming Patrick Corbin their Opening Day starter with left-hander Robbie Ray in line to pitch the second game.

Brewers ship 2017 Opening Day starter Junior Guerra to minors  —  PHOENIX — The Milwaukee Brewers have optioned Junior Guerra, their Opening Day starter a year ago, to Triple-A Colorado Springs.  —  Guerra has made five spring starts and is scheduled to pitch Sunday's Cactus League finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Giants ace Bumgarner has surgery on broken left pinkie  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner has undergone surgery to have three pins inserted into the broken pinkie on his pitching hand.  —  Bumgarner had surgery Saturday, and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Cubs pick Victor Caratini as backup catcher over Chris Gimenez  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs believe 24-year-old Victor Caratini will benefit more as a major-league backup catcher than he would in the minor leagues.  —  That was a big factor in the team's decision to select Caratini for the job …

Ozuna brings the thump to end the slump  —  St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna takes batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com  —  St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna …

Second base: Cards need Wong on the field  —  WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROVEN  —  That Kolten Wong, the unquestioned starter at the position, can play more than two-thirds of a season.  He played in exactly two-thirds of last season's games at 108, and that isn't enough.

Mayers pitches one inning, makes Cardinals team  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • In their final home exhibition game, the Cardinals trotted out nine pitchers in nine innings.  Some were minor leaguers and righthander Mike Mayers, who started the game, came to camp with that designation.

Braves release veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have released Scott Kazmir after the left-hander fell short in his bid to win the No. 5 spot in the team's rotation.  —  The 34-year-old Kazmir was acquired with Brandon McCarthy and infielder Charlie Culberson …

U-turn: Twins reclaim Kennys Vargas on waivers from Reds  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kennys Vargas has made a quick U-turn and is headed back to the Minnesota Twins.  —  The Twins reclaimed Vargas off waivers from Cincinnati on Saturday, two days after the Reds plucked him from Minnesota.

Giants fans to pay more for parking at Bay Bridge rivalry games in Oakland unless they yell “Go A's!”  —  Hey, Giants fans.  It's gonna cost ya to motor up to the Coliseum.  —  The Oakland Athletics announced on Saturday a playful pricing plan for parking at their stadium for games against the Bay Bridge rivals.

Pitcher Bartolo Colon cut by Rangers, could rejoin them soon  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Texas Rangers have cut pitcher Bartolo Colon, but the popular 44-year-old could rejoin them soon.  —  The Rangers released Colon from his minor league contract.  The team faced a Saturday deadline …

Michael Conforto progressing but still likely to start year on Mets' disabled list  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Despite his quick progression, Mets outfielder Michael Conforto is “likely” to start the year on the disabled list, according to manager Mickey Callaway.  —  Callaway floated a scenario …

20 years of the Rays: The 20 best quotes  —  Here are the 20 best quotes in the Rays 20 years:  —  “The only thing that keeps this organization from being recognized as one of the finest in baseball is wins and losses at the major-league level.”  —  GM Chuck LaMar after a 451-68 record …

Jarrin no se va anywhere just yet  —  LOS ANGELES — Everywhere he goes, he is serenaded, by restaurant busboys and city officials, from the bleacher seats to the dugout club, his life reflected in the singing of a call that has become a connection.  —  Se va, se va, se va ...  Jaime Jarrin softly smiles.

Yankees' Bird scratched because of sore right foot  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees first baseman Greg Bird was scratched from the starting lineup in a split-squad road game Saturday against Atlanta because of a sore right foot.  —  Bird had an initial examination by team orthopedic surgeon …

American League capsules: Everyone is chasing the Astros  —  • Looking to counter New York's Giancarlo Stanton acquisition, the Red Sox added slugger J.D. Martinez on a five-year, $110 million free-agent contract to serve as their designated hitter.  He launched 45 homers in 119 games last year …

Closer: Plenty of candidates, no obvious choice  —  WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROVEN  —  After seemingly decades of the club having a lockdown closer, from Al Hrabosky to Bruce Sutter to Todd Worrell to Lee Smith to Tom Henke to Dennis Eckersley to Jason Isringhausen to Jason Motte to Trevor Rosenthal …

Projected Cardinals bullpen  —  RH Dominic Leone  • Although he has only one save in 160 games and 178 2/3 innings over parts of four seasons in the majors, he was a solid 3-0 with a 2.56 ERA and one save as a setup man last year in Toronto.  —  RH Bud Norris

Gonzalez, team delighted he's back  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Carlos Gonzalez smiled at the thought of being back with the Colorado Rockies.  —  Gonzalez has been a three-time All-Star in his nine seasons with the Rockies.  He left as a free agent following the World Series …

Catcher: Molina has proven himself time and again  —  WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROVEN  —  Nothing much really, in the case of Yadier Molina, an eight-time Gold Glove winner, although denied the award the last two years.  Molina is starting the first year of a three-year deal and he wants …