After eight straight losing seasons, Padres get instant credibility with Manny Machado: ‘We can be scary’  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — They heard the rumors for weeks and the figures leaked out over the weekend, but still, the San Diego Padres didn't quite believe Manny Machado was coming out West.

Aaron Judge ready to grab bigger leadership role with Yankees  —  TAMPA - A lot of fans already call him their captain.  The sign that greets Tampa outside George M. Steinbrenner Field makes it clear that Aaron Judge is the face of the Yankees.  —  But is the 26-year-old ready to be a leader on this team?

Wainwright pleased with first chance against hitters  —  • Longtime Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright, who absorbed criticism from Commissioner Rob Manfred and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry this week after offering up his frustration at the lack of movement in free agency and saying he feared …

Detroit Tigers podcast: What to watch for 2019 spring training, season  —  Are you subscribed to our “Talkin' Tigers” podcast?  If not, you should be: Subscribe via iTunes or Google Play now.  —  In the season debut, Anthony Fenech recaps the offseason, gives us a look at what to watch …

Exclusive: MLB Set to Pass New Rules Designed to Crack Down on Sign Stealing  — Rob Manfred believed that the paranoia surrounding sign stealing was slowing down the game.  Expect these rules to be in place by the beginning of the season.  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball is cracking down on high-tech sign stealing.

Former Dodgers great Don Newcombe has died at 92  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Don Newcombe, the hard-throwing Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who was one of the first black players in the major leagues and who went on to win the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards, has died.

Nationals wants Trea Turner to attempt more steals in 2019.  A lot more.  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If base stealing were a simple science, maybe Trea Turner would run every time he had the chance to.  —  But it's more complicated than that, even for one of the fastest players in baseball such as Turner.

Bunt could become key part of Indians' offense in 2019  —  With time to work on other skills because of injury, Francisco Lindor and Bradley Zimmer have been challenged to become better bunters.  —  CLEVELAND — It is all about turning a negative into a positive for the Cleveland Indians on the injury front.

In a rotation full of Tommy John surgeries, here's what fans should expect from Rangers' new starters  —  The latest installment of #EvanHelpUs...  With little chance of signing pending free agent Clayton Kershaw, why won't the Rangers spend money on a front-line pitcher like Dallas Keuchel?

Reyes hopes to improve after facing hitters for first time in ‘forever’  —  That was Cardinals righthander Alex Reyes' reaction to facing hitters for the first time since May 30 when he threw a batting practice session on Tuesday.  On that date last year, after a highly successful rehab run through …

Giants' Jeff Samardzija: Bruce Bochy a ‘dying breed,’ most managers are ‘puppets’  —  San Francisco pitcher Jeff Samardzija gave outgoing manager Bruce Bochy, who plans to retire after the 2019 season, a ringing endorsement.  —  “He lets the players run the team,” Samardzija said Tuesday.

Cincinnati Reds sign utility player Derek Dietrich to minor league deal  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - With Alex Blandino recovering from knee surgery, the Reds added some insurance to their infield depth Tuesday and signed Derek Dietrich to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Blue Jays' Pillar missing Gibbons but appreciates Montoyo  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Kevin Pillar's favourite athletes — Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant, Cal Ripken — were all one-team wonders.  —  Now, knowing he's not exactly in the Hall of Fame company of his favourites, he would like to emulate …

Yasmany Tomas seeing time at first base in camp could increase chances of making Diamondbacks' roster  —  The odds still appear stacked against Yasmany Tomas when it comes to his chances of making the Opening Day roster, but the Diamondbacks are opening a possible avenue for it to happen.

MLB starting pitcher tiers: New wave of aces rises above game's changes  —  When you think about it, pitchers are kind of pre-sorted into tiers through the machinations of their managers and organizations.  No. 1 starter, No. 2 starter, opener, bulk guy, LOOGY, closer, set-up man …

There will be no failing to communicate from Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo  —  This Diamondbacks season will be defined by change.  There are new faces throughout the clubhouse, and on the field a handful of familiar ones will be playing in unfamiliar places.