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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Yonder Alonso leads White Sox against Padres in Cactus League action  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Yonder Alonso makes his second straight start for the White Sox as they travel to Peoria Stadium on Sunday to take on his brother-in-law's new team.  —  Manny Machado will not be playing for the Padres …

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 …