Former NL rookie of the year Hanley Ramirez agrees to minor-league contract with the Indians  —  Free agent first baseman Hanley Ramirez has agreed to sign a minor league contract with the Indians.  —  Ramirez, a former National League Rookie of the Year, will sign with the three …

At Detroit Tigers minor league camp, I saw hope for the future  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — I don't want to cause a scene by pulling out my notebook, so I type what he just said into an app on my phone.  It will come in handy one day, the way this Detroit Tigers executive said, “I wish we could fast-forward three years,” punching his fist.

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.

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 …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani excited for next step in rehab  —  Ohtani said he's swinging at 100 percent after his second day hitting off a tee  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Two days into the next step of his rehab, Shohei Ohtani was already looking ahead.  —  After he hit off a tee for the second consecutive …

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 …

No timetable yet for Jed Lowrie's return to Mets from left knee sprain  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mets infielder Jed Lowrie has been diagnosed with a left knee capsule sprain, but there is still no timetable for when he will return.  —  Team officials have repeatedly said they are not concerned …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Get to know Hunter Pence, one of the goofiest guys in MLB  —  Hunter Pence is known as one of the more goofy players in MLB, but how much veteran experience does he bring to a new clubhouse like the Texas Rangers?  Sometimes he goes to extreme measures to make sure his teammates know he's there for them.

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 …

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.