With Machado at third, Kinsler can focus on second for Pads  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) With Manny Machado now officially the Padres' third baseman, Ian Kinsler can focus on playing second base for San Diego.  —  Kinsler, fresh off a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox …

MLB players are ready to ‘burn the whole system down.’ Here's what they want to avoid a strike.  —  For 25 years, labor peace has prevailed in Major League Baseball, players and ownership alike getting rich in the years after an eight-month work stoppage canceled the 1994 World Series and imperiled the '95 season.

Column: Despite their best efforts, the Brewers know they can't stop Cubs fans from invading Miller Park  —  Cubs fans usually are in the majority for games against the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee.  (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Red Sox Won't Use Many Regulars in Early Exhibition Games  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox' lineup for Friday's spring training opener vs Northeastern is set.  Well, most of it anyway.  —  During his press conference Thursday at JetBlue Park, manager Alex Cora revealed who will be playing.

Cardinals notes: Andrew Miller's debut will likely wait for a week  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • First baseman Paul Goldschmidt likely will be playing sometime this weekend when the Cardinals begin their exhibition schedule here against Miami on Saturday and then Washington in their home opener on Sunday.

Jacob deGrom's agents to meet with Mets execs, source says  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The clock is ticking for Jacob deGrom and the Mets to agree to a contract extension, their self-imposed deadline of Opening Day just five weeks away, but certain visitors to Mets camp this week make the situation ripe for progress.

Source: White Sox Won't Bid On Bryce Harper  —  Harper is expected to command a contract in excess of $300 million.  —  MLB  —  White Sox  —  (670 The Score) The White Sox won't bid on star outfielder Bryce Harper as his free agency continues, a source told Bruce Levine of 670 The Score on Thursday.

Ryan Braun, 35, aiming to build off strong finish to last season  —  PHOENIX — Those days of playing every day, they're done for Ryan Braun.  Most important for the longtime Milwaukee Brewers star these days is making the most of the time he's in the lineup.  —  Now 35, Braun is inching closer to the downside of his career.

The first spring training game of the year got rained out  —  The spring training season started with a splash.  Just not the kind fans hoped for.  —  In the first major league exhibition game of the year, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics were rained out Thursday in Mesa …

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.

MLB 2019: Sleepers and players set to break out this season  —  Every baseball season produces its share of unexpected success stories - players who may not have had much fanfare entering spring training, but who take the playing time they're given and make the most of it.

TJ Rivera working way back from surgery and has sights set on Mets' Opening Day spot  —  Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Before Jeff McNeil, there was TJ Rivera.  —  Rivera emerged during the 2016-17 seasons as an offensive threat with the ability to put the ball in play.

Rays begin spring training today against Phillies  —  The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays start their season with a spring training game Friday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  Tickets starting at $9 are still available.