Contract talks between Bryce Harper, Phillies nearing conclusion  —  Negotiations between the Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper could be resolved by Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney.  —  The Phillies remain confident that they are going to sign Harper, but sources told Olney …

Source: Hanley Ramirez agrees to minor league deal with Indians  —  Hanley Ramirez agreed to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians on Saturday in hopes of making a comeback after the Boston Red Sox released him in the middle of last season, a source familiar with the agreement told ESPN.

Top prospect Nick Senzel to make center field debut in Monday's Cincinnati Reds spring game  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - After sitting out during the first two spring training games, top prospect Nick Senzel will make his debut in center field Monday against the Seattle Mariners.

Rangers add to international war chest in deal with Baltimore  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers apparently are not finished working the international trade market for the 2018-19 window.  —  The club on Sunday acquired international slot money from Baltimore in a deal for minor-league right-hander David Lebron.

Mike Soroka's shoulder discomfort traces to ‘overload’  —  Braves right-hander Mike Soroka hopes to resume throwing in the next few days after being shut down last week with shoulder discomfort.  He's optimistic he'll pitch in games towards the end of spring training, but the parties haven't set a timeline.

As a free agent or a Rocky, Arenado is going to break bank  —  On the morning that Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300-million contract with the San Diego Padres, Nolan Arenado pondered the next decade of his life.  The thought did not trouble him.  He burst into a smile outside …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani says experiences prepared him for lengthy rehab  —  Angels' Shohei Ohtani arrives for a news conference at their spring baseball training facility in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 13, 2019.  (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)  —  Word is that Shohei Ohtani is hitting baseballs …

Nationals' Max Scherzer says he's ‘fundamentally against’ pitch clock  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If three-time Cy Young Award winner and Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer has his way, Major League Baseball's pitch clock will die in the South Florida humidity.

Tommy Hottovy makes strong early impression as Cubs' new pitching coach: ‘This guy is awesome’  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As a 22-year-old hotshot in the Royals organization seven years ago …

Rogers cuts the cord on number of Blue Jays spring training broadcasts  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - The latest step in the Blue Jays' massive rebuild got underway here on Saturday afternoon with the opening of Grapefruit League play.  —  But unless you were among the 5,040 at Dunedin Stadium …

Cardinals notebook: J. Martinez gets 2-year contract  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals, instead of selling Jose Martinez to Japan this past off-season, signed him to a two-year, $3.25 million contract Saturday, taking him through his arbitration year in 2020.

Clayton Kershaw took step back from throwing due to shoulder inflammation  —  Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw took a step back from throwing because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder but does not need an MRI and is taking anti-inflammatory medication to treat his ailment.

Cardinals' Hicks is growing into his blazing arm  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The cacophony begins before sunrise with the beeping and bleating from a medley of iPhone tones, and if he still doesn't stir — cue the blaring rap music.  —  This could go on for an hour until 7:20 a.m. Florida time when …

Mariners notebook: Bullpen arms already surprising Scott Servais  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - The Mariners hit the road Sunday afternoon to take on the Rockies at Salt River Fields, the only trip they will make to Scottsdale this spring with their abbreviated Cactus League schedule.

Former White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar throws 1st simulated game since brain hemorrhage  —  Danny Farquhar took another big step in his comeback, and his family was in the stands to see it.  —  Farquhar struck out two and walked one during a scoreless inning Sunday in his first simulated game …

Wacha to pitch for Cardinals for first time since June  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Righthander Michael Wacha will pitch for the Cardinals for the first time since last June 20 Sunday when he faces the Washington Nationals in the Cardinals' second exhibition game of the season.

Cubs' Kris Bryant motivated by criticism entering 2019 season  —  MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant says he's motivated heading into the new season and to bring on the naysayers.  —  Bryant, who went 2-for-2 with a home run in the Cubs' Cactus League opener Saturday …

Pete Alonso's hunt for Mets job off to torrid start  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Pete Alonso is not wasting time forcing the Mets hand.  —  On the first pitch he saw, Alonso blasted a two-run homer to the deepest part of First Data Field in the Mets' 4-3 win over the Braves in their Saturday spring opener.