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.

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 …

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.

Detroit Tigers get first look at Casey Mize: 'He's impressive'  —  A slow motion look at Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera's swing in Lakeland.  Fla., during spring training.  —  CONNECT11  —  TWEET11  —  COMMENT11  —  EMAIL11  —  MORE11

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 …

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 …

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.

New York Yankees lineup lacks lefties — and Aaron Boone's fine with that  —  Yankees taking batting practice on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Unless Greg Bird wins his first base job back from Luke Voit, the Yankees' regular lineup could contain just one lefty hitter in Brett Gardner.

MLB putting new rules in place to curtail sign stealing, source says  —  Major League Baseball is putting new rules in place this season to guard against high-tech sign stealing, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan, confirming an SI.com report.  —  After several incidents of alleged stealing …

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.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's advice is to be patient, stay calm about unsigned players  —  The first domino at the top of baseball's free-agent market finally toppled Tuesday morning, when Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300-million contract with the San Diego Padres.

'How many minutes is it literally saving?  Five minutes, maybe?  I'm not a fan of it'  —  The pitch clock is coming to spring training, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the Cactus League and Grapefruit League rollout is for players and umpires to get acclimated for possible implementation this season.

Clint Frazier is already gunning for Brett Gardner's job  —  Clint Frazier is already impressing Aaron Boone.  The young outfielder is trying to push his way onto the 25-man roster and eventually win the left field job over Brett Gardner.  —  But first, Frazier, who missed most of 2018 …

Terry Francona: Versatile players ‘can save roster’ for Indians  —  Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona believes versatile players ‘can save a roster’ that is thin on depth.  —  CLEVELAND — It has long been said that for athletes, “The best ability is availability,” …