Harper again lobbies for Trout to join him in Philly  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Now pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper.  —  The new Phillies slugger has again lobbied for superstar Mike Trout to join the franchise in 2021, a possible violation of Major League Baseball's tampering rule.

The Pete Alonso versus Dominic Smith debate and more Mets thoughts  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Inside the Mets spring training bubble is a stellar rotation featuring their top pitchers effortlessly clocking in fastballs at 99 mph.  General manager Brodie Van Wagenen walks around Mets camp signing autographs like a superstar.

YES Network announcers weigh in on Yankees' hopes for 2019 — including chances of catching the Red Sox  —  The Yankees announcers expect big things from the team in 2019.  —  No, the Bronx Bombers didn't sign a marquee free agent like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper, but the YES Network broadcasters believe …

AP sources: MLB near deal for rosters to expand to 26 in '20  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and the players' union are near an agreement to expand active rosters by one to 26 starting in 2020 as part of a deal that would include a commitment to discuss larger economic issues after opening day this year.

Injury sidelines Pena, probably ends competition for Cards' backup catcher job  —  CLEARWATER, Fla.  • In the seventh inning Tuesday on an otherwise forgettable strikeout, the Cardinals' duel for the backup catcher position probably ended before it truly began.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Cameron Maybin arrested for DUI  —  Cameron Maybin, the hopeful San Francisco Giants outfielder, was arrested last week for a DUI in Arizona.  —  Maybin, 31, blew a .142 blood alcohol level, almost twice the legal limit, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

'Cody's gotta be our guy': Bellinger ready for star turn in L.A.  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Cody Bellinger got pitched to differently and struggled initially.  The month of May was coming to an end, the batting average was down in the low .200s and anxiety began to set in.

Newest Blue Jay Buchholz ready to embrace challenge of returning to AL East  —  DUNEDIN - He's 34 years old and some of his most electric stuff might be behind him, but Clay Buchholz isn't even remotely intimidated about returning to face the batting beasts of the American League East.

Nationals ace Scherzer shuns DH, decides to bat  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In his third spring training start, Washington ace Max Scherzer wanted to try something different: batting.  —  Nationals manager Dave Martinez could have used a designated hitter in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to Boston …

Padres see $3M ticket boost thanks to Machado  —  The San Diego Padres have generated nearly $3 million of additional ticket revenue in the two weeks since Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract, according to the team's president of business operations, Erik Greupner.

Detroit Tigers' Casey Mize ‘going to be a fast-track guy’ for club  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Casey Mize walked into the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse.  —  Mize, an early starter — he usually gets to the ballpark around 7 a.m. — was not late.

Expect a monster year from Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Cora's arms were folded as he watched a fielding drill in the Boston Red Sox's camp the other day, and while he mostly wore a smile, his body language and occasionally pointed tone underscored his insistence for proper execution.

Cory Spangenberg, Tyler Saladino get chances to play all over field for Brewers in camp  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The plan of Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell this spring was to move utility players Cory Spangenberg and Tyler Saladino around on the field to gauge their versatility, both in the infield and outfield.

Tracking machines, spin efficiency and the plan to get Sonny Gray back on track  —  Sonny Gray had a bad season in New York.  We all saw that ERA (near 5.0), and his season culminated in his general manager all but telling the world that the pitcher would not be back in pinstripes.