David Bote standing tall after fine rookie season  —  Photos of Cubs infielder David Bote.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  David Bote is standing taller than his listed 6-foot-1 frame.  —  But his heightened stature has nothing to do with his knack for clutch hits and versatility as a rookie on a seasoned Cubs team last year.

New Met Jed Lowrie dealing with soreness in back of his left knee  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Where in the world is Jed Lowrie?  —  The Mets signed the third baseman to a two-year, $20 million contract on Jan. 16 and hoped he was the final piece in the Mets position-player puzzle, but he's been quiet and removed since Mets camp started.

As Arizona Diamondbacks stand pat, rival Padres ramp up with Manny Machado  —  The Diamondbacks have long resided in the same economic bracket as the San Diego Padres, fellow residents in the National League West.  And yet, in moves made a couple of months apart, the Diamondbacks traded …

For Miguel Andujar, defense is a priority at Yankees spring training  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Spring training started months ago for Miguel Andujar.  —  The defensive work he's conducting on back fields at Yankees camp is just an extension of what began in the Dominican Republic.

Former top prospects Byron Buxton, Tyler Glasnow finally ready to break out in 2019  —  Not all minor league prospects, even the most highly regarded ones, have instant success once they reach the majors.  With all the hype and sky-high expectations behind them, it's sometimes easier for players to break out a few years down the road.

Trevor Bauer wants to change media narrative that he's ‘bad teammate’ for Indians  —  Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer wants to change the media narrative that he's ‘bad teammate.’  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer has heard all of the labels …

MLB 2019 preview: Three things to know for every team  —  As MLB teams are enjoying their spring training camps in Florida and Arizona, USA TODAY Sports takes a look at some of the most important factoids for all 30 clubs.  —  While plenty of negative story lines dominated the winter …

Bochy on Pence: 'He's so genuine, and I'm thankful that I had him for seven years'  —  A day after Hunter Pence praised his soon-to-be-retired former manager following his workout at Texas Rangers spring training, that former manager returned the favor.  —  “I'm not answering any questions …

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.

Everything Went Right For The 2018 Red Sox.  Are The Champs Destined To Regress?  —  It's hard to imagine things going more right for the Boston Red Sox than they did last season.  Boston jumped out to a scorching 17-2 start, was 38 games over .500 by the All-Star break …

Christian Walker says he's strong again after last year's broken jaw  —  Christian Walker got an early and unfortunate start to his offseason in late September, when a 94 mph fastball from Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda struck him in the face, fracturing his jaw.

A's looking at Robbie Grossman as potential leadoff man  —  file photo showing Robbie Grossman of the Oakland Athletics baseball team.  The Athletics will take a look at Grossman as a potential leadoff man when they open spring play.  —  MESA, ARIZ.  —  The Oakland Athletics will take a look …

Major League dreams: Indians pitcher Rob Kaminsky  —  WKYC's Betsy Kling caught up with Rob Kaminsky during his first big league camp.  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — At Indians spring training, all levels of the Tribe's organization (Major and Minor Leagues) are getting ready for the season.

Column: Are you a disillusioned Cubs fan who wants to become a White Sox fan?  Here's how to do that.  —  Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  So the Cubs no longer are the team you've known and loved all these years.

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?

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.