Lou Merloni: Mookie Betts, Dodgers close to long-term deal  —  It looks like Mookie Betts will remain in L.A. for a long time.  —  According to WEEI's Lou Merloni, Betts and the Dodgers are close to a massive contract extension.  The deal is said to be for 10-plus years and worth between $350-400 million.

Yankees look well positioned for 60-game season, but low-budget Rays could play spoiler  —  In a baseball season of the great unknown, there is one thing we do know: Assuming it is run to completion, it will more than likely come down to the survival of the fittest.

Uncertainty in right field clouds White Sox's rosy outlook  —  For a fanbase renowned for its pessimism, it's been pretty challenging not to poke holes into the first of many seasons where the White Sox brass and fanbase should witness the fruits of the rebuild.

Rays Trade Dylan Covey To Red Sox  —  The Red Sox announced Tuesday that they've acquired right-hander Dylan Covey from the Rays.  Covey is not on the 40-man roster but has been added to Boston's 60-man player pool.  In a corresponding move, left-hander Bobby Poyner was dropped from the 60-man pool …

Black Lives Matter/MLB stencil will debut on the mound Thursday when Nationals host Yankees  —  A Black Lives Matter/MLB stencil will appear on the pitcher's mound during opening weekend games, the Washington Nationals announced Wednesday.  —  “The Nationals, in conjunction with Major League Baseball …

PLAY BALL IN PITTSBURGH: Blue Jays land home away from home for 2020  —  The Blue Jays have firmed up plans for their summer retreat not far from the banks of the Allegheny River.  —  Late Tuesday, a source close to the negotiations said that the displaced Major League Baseball team …

Twins GM Thad Levine says front-office hiring practices are ‘flawed’ in his organization and MLB  —  During a Minnesota Twins front-office diversity roundtable on Tuesday, general manager Thad Levine said front-office hiring practices in Major League Baseball and his own organization are …

Rule 5 Outfielder Mark Payton Returned to Athletics by Reds  —  Outfielder Mark Payton, claimed by the Cincinnati Reds from Oakland in the Rule 5 draft last December, is back with the A's.  —  The Reds returned him to the A's Tuesday after it became clear he wasn't going to make the Reds' opening day roster.

Astros' Jose Altuve day-to-day with bruised leg  —  Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve bruised his left leg in a exhibition win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.  —  The 2017 AL MVP was injured in a collision at home plate in the fourth inning of the 15-6 win that was the Astros …

Jacob deGrom honored to be Mets' Opening Day starter for second straight year  —  For Jacob deGrom, Opening Day is still Opening Day, even if it takes place in an empty ballpark on a sweltering July afternoon instead of a packed and buzzing one in chilly late March.

Tigers Release Hector Santiago  —  The Tigers announced that they have given left-hander Hector Santiago his unconditional release.  Meanwhile, southpaw Tarik Skubal has been cleared to rejoin the Tigers' 60-man player pool and been reassigned to their alternate training site …