Snapshots from the first half of new-look Blue Jays spring training  —  DUNEDIN - Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, always glad to chat about his two teenaged kids, shared a conversation he had with his 14-year-old son Alex the other day.  —  The update from his off-season home centred around …

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.

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.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Phillip Ervin playing his way into the Opening Day conversation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — All the outfield discussion for the Cincinnati Reds has centered around Matt Kemp,Jesse Winker, Nick Senzel, Yasiel Puig and Scott Schebler.  —  But Phillip Ervin has worked …

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 …

Giants CEO stepping away as MLB investigates  —  San Francisco Giants president and CEO Larry Baer will step away from the team as Major League Baseball investigates an altercation between Baer and his wife in which he knocked her to the ground.  —  The Giants' board of directors announced Monday …

Here's the latest update from the Rangers on Luke Farrell's broken jaw  —  Right-hander Luke Farrell is expected to undergo a procedure later in the week to address his broken jaw, but he and the Texas Rangers aren't sure what will be done because there is still too much swelling.

MVP?  Champion?  Captain?  Expectations sky high for Aaron Judge in Year 3  —  TAMPA, Fla. — At this early stage of his career, Aaron Judge's résumé already reads like a dream of a baseball-loving 11-year-old.  —  Home Run Derby champion.  Fifty-two homer season.  Rookie of the Year.

The Yankees are watching their top center field prospect grow this spring  —  TAMPA — There was a moment in Saturday afternoon's loss to the Pirates when the magnitude of Estevan Florial's potential and the depth of his inexperience showed through on the same play.

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.

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:

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 …

Javier Baez and Albert Almora Jr. in lineup as Cubs face Reds  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Most of the Cubs regulars will avoid Monday's 36-mile road trip to face the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz., including starter Cole Hamels.

What's Really the Matter With the Celtics?  —  Boston was a preseason Finals contender, combining veteran All-Stars with an explosive group of youngsters.  But nothing has gone according to plan this season, and Kyrie Irving's long-term future with the team is in question.  Where did it all go wrong?

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.

Remember Blake Snell's words if the Rays bullpen falls short  —  Tampa Bay did little to upgrade its bullpen this winter, and the team's ace wonders why Craig Kimbrel was not on the radar.  —  This is what an ace does.  He steps up at critical moments.  —  In this case, before the regular season even begins.

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.

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.