Yankees still taking conservative approach with Aaron Hicks  —  CLEARWATER — Aaron Hicks was expected to start baseball activities — including hitting — on Thursday.  The Yankees center fielder had been shut down since Saturday with a sore, stiff lower right back.

From water boy to MVP: Mookie Betts is amazing at everything  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — My ESPN colleague Tim Kurkjian likes to say that baseball players are the best athletes in the world — or at least the most underrated.  I agree.  Of course, Tim and I are baseball fans and absolutely biased in this regard, but we are also right.

‘Adapt or die’: MLB staffs have new look as coaches go from lab to dugout  —  Wes Johnson did not run from the labels.  —  Weirdo.  Iconoclast.  Voodoo coach.  —  Johnson heard some variation of them all over the past decade, when he first set up shop as the pitching coach …

Terry Francona: Cleveland Indians want ‘to see the best’ of Hanley Ramirez  —  Manager Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians want ‘to see the best’ of Hanley Ramirez in spring training.  —  CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Indians traded away designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion …

Inside Mets' quiet hires — like scout who helped land MLB's best prospect  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — A longer runway must be built.  —  In a week when the Phillies made Bryce Harper the centerpiece of their organization for the next 13 years, the Mets made some news with the hiring of advisers Jessica Mendoza …

Gant stares down the Bronx ‘bullies’ as he searches for changeup, efficiency  —  • A quick scan of the Yankees lineup he'd face Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field told John Gant about the test awaiting him.  —  “They sent the bullies out,” he said.

Roberts: Kershaw's Opening Day status still in air  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw has not yet been ruled out for Opening Day by the Los Angeles Dodgers despite all the time he has missed at spring training with a sore left shoulder.  —  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that …

We Got Our Hands on 73,000 Never-Before-Seen MLB Scouting Reports.  Here's What We Learned.  —  All this week, The Ringer will break down its findings from the massive database of reports spanning 1991 to 2003 given to us by a former member of the Cincinnati Reds front office.

Paul Goldschmidt, MLB's most underpaid player, is about to hit paydirt  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson, Mr. October himself, walked over Wednesday towards the St. Louis Cardinals dugout, had a simple request.  —  He wanted to meet their newest star, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

3 takeways from Cubs spring training, including Ben Zobrist defying age and Jose Quintana's strong start  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses how he adjusts playing time during the season for veteran Ben Zobrist on March 6, 2019, at spring training in Mesa, Ariz.  —  Chicago Tribune

MLB teams have a need for speed on the mound — and that's bad for Dallas Keuchel  —  The Washington Post  —  Opening day is a few weeks away and Dallas Keuchel, the two-time all-star and 2015 American League Cy Young winner, remains unsigned.  The 31-year-old left-hander turned …

Didi Gregorius almost ready to take a big step forward in his rehab from Tommy John surgery  —  CLEARWATER — Didi Gregorius has been anxious to get going since he arrived in Tampa.  —  The shortstop is set to take the next big step in his rehab from October Tommy John surgery soon.

Royals' Perez undergoes successful TJ surgery  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow Wednesday, keeping the six-time All-Star off the field for the entire 2019 season.

Phils' Harper homers again in simulated game  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper homered for the second straight day in a simulated game against Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguers.  —  Harper had an opposite-field homer to left in the first of 12 plate appearances Thursday at the team's minor league complex.

Ozzie Guillen exits ESPN.  Might an NBC Sports Chicago gig be next?  —  Chicago Tribune  —  NBC Sports Chicago would be smart to snap up Ozzie Guillen, who's apparently a TV free agent.  —  The former White Sox star shortstop and manager of the 2005 World Series champs disclosed his divorce …

Greg Bird vs. Luke Voit: Who wins the battle to play first base for the Yanks?  Cashman weighs in  —  TAMPA — The battle for first base has been going on here since day one.  It's a friendly fight between Luke Voit and Greg Bird, but both know that only one of them can be the Yankees first baseman this season.

Who is White Sox prospect Blake Rutherford?  —  White Sox outfielder Blake Rutherford at spring training on Feb. 14, 2019.  (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Fantasy rankings are based in reality.  And in the case of White Sox outfielders, they tell a story.