Harper walks twice in 1st spring ABs with Phillies  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper drew two five-pitch walks on Saturday in his first two spring training plate appearances since signing a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  The six-time All-Star outfielder signed a $330 million …

Royals Reach Agreement With Martin Maldonado On One-Year Deal  —  The Royals are in agreement with free agent catcher Martin Maldonado on a one-year, $2.5MM contract, per the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter).  Maldonado can earn up to $1.4MM in incentives.  The deal is pending a physical.

He's been all over bases this spring.  Now, Pence ready for only place he hasn't been yet  —  Hunter Pence didn't play Friday for the Texas Rangers and wasn't in the lineup Saturday either, but it seems like he has played nearly every game this spring and played a lot when more than the average veteran.

Yankees unafraid of Masahiro Tanaka's ugly Opening Day history  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka has been a big-game pitcher for the Yankees.  —  Last year, he was on the mound for the only game the Bombers took from the Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

Cubs prospect Adbert Alzolay headed back to Iowa  —  One of the biggest prospects in the Chicago Cubs' system is headed back to Des Moines this summer.  —  Right-handed pitcher Adbert Alzolay was among 14 players assigned to Chicago's minor league camp on Saturday.

Unable to reach agreements, Cardinals renew contracts for Hicks, Flaherty  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Unable to reach an agreement with two of their youngest and most prominent pitchers, the Cardinals imposed salaries on starter Jack Flaherty and reliever Jordan Hicks as part of finalizing contracts with 20 players Saturday.

Detroit Tigers observations: Michael Fulmer's velocity still down  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — As far as Michael Fulmer's three Grapefruit League starts have gone, this one was the most worrisome.  —  Not just because of his fastball velocity - which sat between 88-92 m.p.h. …

Cincinnati Reds lefty Alex Wood suffers setback with more back tightness  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - For the second time this spring, Alex Wood felt his back tighten up after pitching on a mound.  He made his Cactus League debut on Feb. 25 and it could be another week before he makes his next appearance.

Astros' Jose Altuve scratched from lineup again with continued left side soreness  —  JUPITER, Fla. — For the second time in three days, Jose Altuve was scratched from the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday with continued left side soreness.  —  “It's the same, tightness I'd say …

Cubs' Cole Hamels to face Giants; Nico Hoerner starts at shortstop vs. Angels  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs will feature many twists Saturday when they face the Giants in Scottsdale and play host to the Angels at Sloan Park in split-squad games.  —  Left-hander Cole Hamels …

Alex Cora envisions more right field in J.D. Martinez's future this season  —  FORT MYERS—When the Red Sox acquired J.D. Martinez, there were questions about his defensive capabilities.  Combined with Fenway Park's unique dimensions, it didn't appear he'd factor into the outfield game plan much, if at all.

Kenta Maeda shines in Dodgers' 2-0 exhibition win over Mariners … The Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 Saturday in a spring training game.  They are 8-6-1 in Cactus League games.  —  ON THE MOUND: Kenta Maeda struck out four batters in three perfect innings in his third start …

Column: ‘I believe in myself’: Javier Baez is getting overlooked again — and that's just the way he likes it  —  Photos of Cubs infielder Javier Baez.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, a prominent Las Vegas betting website installed him as a 4-1 favorite …

Cover-up: Lake Superior 90% ice-covered for just 5th time in past 20 years  —  Drone footage of the blue ice stacked at the Straits of Mackinac, near the Mackinac Bridge.  Captured by Dustin Dilworth of D3 Imagery.  —  CONNECT  —  It's a far icier winter than last year's for the Great Lakes.