Detroit Tigers observations: Michael Fulmer solid, offense powers up  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer made his second Grapefruit League start on Monday afternoon and showed signs of improvement.  —  His fastball velocity, a cause of concern for reporters …

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.

Kershaw might not be ready for Opening Day  —  Clayton Kershaw's status as the Los Angeles Dodgers' Opening Day starter, a tradition that has spanned nearly a decade, is now in question.  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged for the first time on Monday that Kershaw …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

FMIA: Kyler Murray, No. 1 Story at the Combine, And No. 1 Pick in the Draft?  —  INDIANAPOLIS—It's Kyler Murray's Combine, followed by Kyler Murray's Pro Day, followed by the spring of Kyler Murray Rumors, followed by, mercifully, the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25 and the official landing place of Kyler Murray.

2019 MLB player odds for awards, leaders include Votto, Suarez, Benintendi, Schwarber  —  Major League Baseball future bets are available on Bookmaker.eu for MVP and Cy Young awards in each league as well as league leaders in wins and home runs, and several players of local interest are among oddsmakers' picks.

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.

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'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?

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.

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.

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: