Tortoise-like Yankees pitcher isn't upset over MLB clock experiment  —  TAMPA — It was not something Masahiro Tanaka could ignore.  There it was, bright red numbers behind home plate ticking down and measuring just how slow he was in between pitches.  —  And it didn't bother him at all.

What Rangers manager Chris Woodward has in common with all-time great Ted Williams  —  Other than playing the game of baseball, Chris Woodward shares little in common with Ted Williams except they both once elected to hit in the final game of the regular season and risked their batting average.

How Mike Trout could wind up with Bryce Harper in Philly  —  The ink is barely dry on Bryce Harper's contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Mike Trout is under contract with the Los Angeles Angels for the next two seasons, but everyone already is talking about what might happen after the 2020 season.

Detroit Tigers observations: Niko Goodrum has big day at the plate  —  Niko Goodrum had himself quite the game Sunday.  —  Maybe he'll bat cleanup again.  —  The first baseman went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs in the Detroit Tigers' split-squad loss to the Baltimore Orioles, 7-5, in Sarasota, Fla.

Column: Believe it or not, the Cubs are rooting for the White Sox rebuild to succeed  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Some of the biggest believers in the White Sox rebuild weren't sitting in the stands at Sloan Park on Sunday for their Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Jansen's velocity down, but ‘normal’ for spring  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kenley Jansen's numbers are down, but in a good way.  —  His fastball velocity has dipped for now, but he figures it will return.  And besides, he said, “The radar gun is overrated.”  —  The most important figure is 25 …

Chipper Jones is lean and keen on the Braves  —  BY STEVE HUMMER THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION  —  Chipper Jones had reported back to Braves spring training, his first since being minted as a Hall of Famer in July, and notably has reported in shape.  —  He's back to his playing weight …

Yankees say they'll top home run record set last season  —  TAMPA - Brett Gardner was talking a big game Sunday.  After hitting his first two homers of spring training in his first two at-bats on Sunday, the Yankees' diminutive, veteran outfielder was predicting that this Yankee team will break …

Fernando Tatis Jr. lands on Baseball America cover  —  Manny Machado, no doubt, will wind up on the cover of one or more magazines and/or trade publications this season after receiving $300 million from the Padres.  The first cover of the 2019 season belongs to his new protégé:

JUPITER, Fla.  • On the observation deck outside the Cardinals' offices in right-center field and under an umbrella to protect against the heat sat an interested observer Sunday.  —  “I want to see them rounding second base,” said the base burglar, Hall of Famer Lou Brock, who had a good view of that portion of the diamond.

Royals trust that pitcher Homer Bailey knows how to get most out of spring training  —  The Royals put a belief in Homer Bailey and his track record when they signed him last month.  While he hasn't thrown a pitch in a spring training game yet this season — that's tentatively scheduled …

Judge homers twice as Yankees beat Tigers in spring game  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All rise — again.  Aaron Judge is back.  —  Judge hit his first two homers of spring training, helping the New York Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers in a split-squad game on Sunday.

Cincinnati Reds snap skid with a home run fest in 11-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers  —  PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Reds broke a three-game losing streak by pounding the Brewers 11-5 before a crowd of 8,245 at American Family Field of Phoenix.  Derek Dietrich, Kyle Farmer and Phillip Ervin homered for the Reds.

Vlad Guerrero double displays raw skill and power of Blue Jays top prospect  —  DUNEDIN - No, Vlad Guerrero Jr. didn't balloon to 250 pounds overnight, a 50-pound leap from the fighting weight the Blue Jays have listed him at for years.  —  Turns out the weekend update of the phenom …