Angels' Shohei Ohtani completes Tommy John rehab, eyes 2-way role in '20  —  Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani has completed his throwing program, the final step in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, and was cleared to return to his native Japan, where he will rest and recover …

“I gave it everything I had” — Ian Kinsler retires, moving to a front-office role with the Padres  —  In the end, only a herniated cervical disk could drive Ian Kinsler from the game he played with rare intensity and singular dedication for 14 major-league seasons.

Donaldson sweepstakes update; Lindor talks reaching critical stage; Mets not too motivated on Marte  —  Some notes from around baseball, based upon information gathered from major-league sources:  —  • Don't count the Twins out of the Josh Donaldson sweepstakes just yet.

APNewsBreak: Red Sox, Yanks, Cubs sent 2019 luxury tax bills  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Boston will pay a Red Sox record $13.4 million luxury tax after failing to make the playoffs and the New York Yankees finished with a $6.7 million bill, likely a fraction of what they will pay next year.

Twins Sign Tyler Clippard  —  11:20am: Clippard will be guaranteed $2.75MM, ESPN's Jeff Passan tweets.  —  11:13am: The Twins announced Friday that they've signed veteran reliever Tyler Clippard to a one-year contract.  Minnesota also made its previously reported one-year deal (plus a club option) with Sergio Romo official.

Tigers To Sign Jonathan Schoop  —  The Detroit Tigers are “in agreement” with free agent second baseman Jonathan Schoop, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.  It's a one-year deal worth $6.1MM plus performance bonuses for Schoop, a client of VC Sports Group.  Rosenthal notes that the Tigers plan …

Cubs Sign Ryan Tepera  —  The Cubs have struck a deal with reliever Ryan Tepera, as first reported by Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).  It comes with a 40-man roster spot, though Tepera will play on a split arrangement.  He'll earn at a $900K rate in the majors and $300K in the minors.

Mutual Interest Between Blue Jays, Edwin Encarnacion  —  Earlier this month, the Blue Jays were connected to the likes of Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Justin Smoak and Edwin Encarnacion as they evaluated first base options.  Less than two weeks later, both Tsutsugo and Smoak are off the board …

Marlins Designate Kyle Keller For Assignment  —  The Marlins announced that they've designated right-hander Kyle Keller for assignment.  His spot on the 40-man roster goes to right-hander Yimi Garcia, whose previously reported one-year contract with Miami is now official.

It's hard to take Yoenis Cespedes' comeback seriously  —  The question marks surrounding Yoenis Cespedes' potential return to a Major League dugout will take at least a few months to be answered.  But the oft-injured slugger made one thing clear: he's motivated to gain back some trust.

White Sox To Sign Gio Gonzalez  —  The White Sox are in agreement with left-hander Gio Gonzalez, MLB Network's Jon Heyman tweets.  Reporter Robert Murray (Twitter link) was the first to break the news that Gonzalez and the Sox were nearing a contract.  Gonzalez is represented by CAA Sports.

Marlins Sign Ryan Lavarnway, Josh A. Smith  —  The Marlins announced a series of nine minor league signings on Wednesday, each of which contains an invitation to Major League Spring Training.  In addition to confirming their previously reported signing of former All-Star Matt Kemp …