José Peraza homers in Cincinnati Reds' 8-3 spring training loss to the Kansas City Royals  —  SURPRISE, Arizona - Home-plate umpire Mark Ripperger issued warnings to both dugouts after four players were hit by pitches in the Cincinnati Reds' 8-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Surprise Ballpark.

Tanaka?  Paxton?  Happ?  Keuchel?!  Handicapping the Yankees' Opening Day starter  —  TAMPA, Fla. — All winter, it was practically a foregone conclusion who'd be starting Opening Day for the New York Yankees.  —  Then, about 15 minutes prior to Tuesday's spring training game against the Braves …

With plenty of time left in spring, switch-hitting Fowler trying to get right when possible  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • If he wants to get some extra swings from his second side of the plate, Dexter Fowler doesn't have to go far for those at-bats.  —  There's bound to be a live batting practice …

Cooking too long gives Dodgers' Kelly sore back  —  Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said hard-throwing right-hander Joe Kelly, who was scratched from his scheduled appearance Wednesday night, will throw lightly on Friday and hopes to get in a game in a couple of days.

Inside Mets' Tom Seaver plans that started years ago … PORT ST. LUCIE — Tom Seaver will be honored in multiple ways by the Mets, and one of those ways under consideration is a statue of Hall of Famer Tom Terrific.  —  The Mets have had conversations with the Seaver family and the Hall of Fame pitcher dating back a couple years.

Astros to roll with Verlander on Opening Day  —  Ace Justin Verlander will be the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros on Opening Day against the Tampa Bay Rays, manager AJ Hinch said Friday.  —  It will be the 11th Opening Day start for Verlander, who has a 3-1 record with a 4.03 ERA …

Robot umps, shift ban coming to Atlantic League  —  Baseball's potential future will be showcased in the independent Atlantic League this year, and it includes robot umpires, a 62-foot, 6-inch distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate, and no infield shifting.

From ‘boo’ to ‘Yu’: Darvish wants to win over Cubs fans after rocky 2018 season  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Three takeaways from Cubs spring training Friday:  —  1. Yu Darvish is looking to be loved.  —  Darvish wants Cubs fans to embrace him this season and already has begun seeking their approval.

King Felix won't start Opening Day for Mariners  —  PEORIA, Arizona - For the first time since 2008, the Seattle Mariners will have a new pitcher on the mound on Opening Day.  On Friday afternoon, manager Scott Servais told Felix Hernandez that he would not be the team's 2019 Opening Day starter.

Boston Red Sox's Alex Cora on legal sports gambling: ‘We all have concerns’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — In his second year as Red Sox manager, Alex Cora will see a slight change to his daily pregame routine.  —  As first reported by Peter Gammons of The Athletic on Wednesday …

Brodie Van Wagenen made a slick move naming Jessica Medoza and Al Leiter ‘special advisors’  —  Ultimately, Brodie Van Wagenen cannot control what the Mets do on the field, but has already showed the ability to manage the message surrounding his team.  —  Is anyone in the media …

Marlins shut down catcher Alfaro (knee) again  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The return of inflammation to Jorge Alfaro's right knee is once again prompting the Miami Marlins to shut down their expected opening-day catcher for a few more days.  —  Alfaro re-aggravated the injury during Tuesday's game while sliding into second base.