How Jordy Mercer helped Detroit Tigers sign Josh Harrison  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Josh Harrison needed a place to stay.  —  It was 10 years ago and he had just been traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates, arriving in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a duffel bag, luggage and nowhere to sleep.

5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including a familiar role for Albert Almora Jr. and options without Ben Zobrist  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how Albert Almora Jr. has looked so far in spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Gary Sanchez: Comeback player of the year or bust?  —  TAMPA, Fla. — For the bulk of the 12-minute interview session Gary Sanchez had at his locker as New York Yankees pitchers and catchers arrived to spring training, he was asked about one topic.  —  How will he rebound from his abysmal 2018?

Nick Cafardo, longtime Boston Globe baseball writer, dies at 62  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Longtime Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo has died after collapsing at the team's spring training ballpark.  —  The newspaper said Cafardo had an embolism Thursday and Red Sox medical staff was unable to revive him.

Mets' deep bullpen could let Seth Lugo sneak into rotation  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Let's imagine a scenario where Seth Lugo enters the rotation this year.  —  All it would take is an injury to one of the five starters for Lugo, Robert Gsellman or Corey Oswalt find his way in.

Respect rules as Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner stake claims at Yankees spring training  —  TAMPA, Fla. - In a quiet moment on Thursday, Clint Frazier sought out Brett Gardner.  —  Left field is Gardner's position, and it's Frazier's aim to claim an outfield spot this spring.

Strike looming for Major League Baseball?  It's looking a like real possibility  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — It was cold and rainy Thursday morning in Phoenix, and the forecast from Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark was just as gloomy.

When Fowler plays Sunday, he'll hit second for Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • At times this offseason, as Cardinals manager Mike Shildt jotted out the look of his lineup, he of course considered the best possible outcome from all of his options.  And right there, in the career totals …

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen moving closer to playing center field in games  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Michael Lorenzen did some drills in the outfield Tuesday and took batting practice in the cages Thursday.  —  It's all a part of the team's plan to prepare Lorenzen for spring training games.

Dodgers to honor Don Newcombe with uniform patch, bobblehead  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor pitching great Don Newcombe by adding a commemorative No. 36 patch to their uniforms this season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Newcombe died Tuesday at 92.

Indians, reliever Tyler Clippard agree to terms on minor contract  —  Clippard went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 73 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — The Cleveland Indians and two-time All-Star reliever Tyler Clippard have agreed to a minor league contract.

Last place?  Cubs laugh off formula that has them finishing under .500  —  MESA, Ariz. — It was hidden in plain sight.  And everyone in the locker room saw it.  At the bottom of the daily schedule, on Day 1 of full-squad workouts for the Chicago Cubs, was a prediction for their season.