Cardinals secure ‘anchor’ Mikolas with four-year, $68 million extension  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • With a commitment and a compliment that called Miles Mikolas “the anchor” of their rotation, the Cardinals gave the All-Star righthander the chance to spend spring training in his hometown …

Sources: MLB prepared to ditch clock until 2022  —  Major League Baseball is prepared to scuttle the implementation of a pitch clock until at least 2022 as part of a wide-ranging proposal to the MLB Players Association that would include the ability to implement a three-batter-minimum rule …

Cubs' Kris Bryant on a possible contract extension: 'Everybody has money.  We're not stupid.'  —  Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant discusses the contract the Rockies gave Nolan Arenado and Bryce Harper's free agency on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Why Manny Machado Signed With the Padres After an Unpredictable Free Agency Adventure  — Manny Machado's offseason was full of questions about his dedication and attitude.  The Padres didn't waver in their confidence, and now Machado is intent on proving that he's one of baseball's most reliable elite talents.

Mike Piazza would welcome Mets retiring David Wright's number … PORT ST. LUCIE — Mike Piazza is the only position player in Mets history with his number retired, but he expects to have company before long.  —  Asked Tuesday about the possibility of the team retiring David Wright's No. 5 …

Jesse Winker's return to the Cincinnati Reds a bit emotional  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Jesse Winker grounded out twice and made a couple of routine plays in left field.  —  Still, Tuesday's game was pretty sweet for him.  —  “It's been since late July,” he said.  “It's cool because you get butterflies again.

When it comes to pitch clock, put Masahiro Tanaka down as a no … TAMPA — Before Masahiro Tanaka even throws a pitch in a spring training game, he isn't fan of the pitch clock.  —  MLB is using spring training to introduce a 20-second pitch clock that hasn't been approved for regular-season games.

Meet the man(nequin) keeping Nats' endless uniform combos straight  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Manny Machado isn't the only Manny donning a new uniform these days.  —  The other one?  That'd be the mannequin stationed inside the Washington Nationals' clubhouse since spring training kicked off last week.

Ex-Detroit Tiger of the Week: Happy 51st birthday, Matt Stairs!  —  (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)  —  Charlie Gehringer is a Detroit Tigers legend, complete with Hall of Fame membership, a retired number, a statue at Comerica Park and a memorable nickname: “The Mechanical Man.”

Angels' Knoop retires after 53 years in baseball  —  MESA, Ariz. — Longtime Los Angeles Angels player and coach Bobby Knoop has announced his retirement after 53 years in baseball.  —  Los Angeles shared the news in a release Tuesday.  —  The 80-year-old Knoop was one of the Angels …

Dodgers' Seager looking strong during drills  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — With each ground ball hit his way, Corey Seager smoothly worked low to the ground, scooped the ball up and made accurate throws across the diamond to first base.  —  Later on Tuesday morning during double-play drills …

Cubs reliever Tony Barnette is grateful for his experience playing in Japan: ‘It opened my eyes to the way I saw the world’  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The one-hour morning commute from the west side …