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.

‘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 …

Highlights from Red Sox All-Access  —  We're going behind the scenes with the champs.  Follow along for live updates and in-game interviews from spring training as part of a special “All-Access” presentation and tune in for Twins-Red Sox at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.  —  play

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 …

Donaldson set for exhibition debut with Braves  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Josh Donaldson plans to play in his first spring training game for the Atlanta Braves on Friday night against Philadelphia.  —  After being slowed by injuries for two seasons, the 33-year-old third baseman signed a $23 million …

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.

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.

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 …

What We Learned: Mariners have plenty to like with their outfield depth  —  It wasn't all that long ago that the Mariners outfield wasn't anything to write home about.  —  What We Learned: Félix's outing, Smith's view of CF, Sheffield's mentality  —  There were former infielders shuttled …

With Rangers locking up Leclerc, where do things stand with extensions for Gallo, Mazara?  —  Spring training usually means that it's extension season for general manager Jon Daniels and the Texas Rangers.  —  Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Derek Holland are among those who have cashed …

Rafael Devers ‘in a good place,’ according to Alex Cora  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Rafael Devers is one of the youngest regulars in major league baseball, having turned 22 Oct. 24, which also happened to be the date of Game 2 of the World Series.  —  Devers played in 121 games as a rookie for the Red Sox last 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.

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 …

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.

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.