Major League Baseball secretly used 2 different types of baseballs last season  — An astrophysicist has collected and taken apart MLB game balls for years, looking for changes.  — She found MLB secretly used two different balls, one lighter than the other, in 2021.

After a whirlwind of spending, the MLB lockout will give Rangers plenty of time to plan next steps  —  Texas has a lot more to think about.  —  This is how it will work.  On Wednesday afternoon, the Rangers will officially introduce the Half-A-Billion Boys at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Brian Kelly demands 7 a.m. meeting with Notre Dame players after he suddenly left them for LSU  —  Brian Kelly's now-former players at Notre Dame willingly signed up to play for a coach who has a long track record of throwing people under the bus.  They probably just wish Tuesday morning's bus had a slightly later departure.

Five things we learned from the Ravens' 16-10 win over the Cleveland Browns  —  The Ravens survived another ragged offensive performance thanks to a heroic effort from their defense in a 16-10 win over the Browns.  Here are five things we learned Sunday night.

Sources: Expanded playoffs, draft lottery proposals in CBA negotiations  —  Major League Baseball's expanded playoff proposal, as part of a new collective bargaining agreement between owners and players, includes the ability for division winners to pick their wild-card opponent, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Grades for Dolphins' dominant victory over Panthers; plus stock up and stock down  —  During the month of November the Miami Dolphins turned a dreadful start to the season into something that should be admired.  —  Miami's four straight wins, which became a reality with Sunday's 33-10 domination …

Sources - Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, Seattle Mariners finalizing $115 million contract  —  Reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year, $115 million contract with an opt-out after the third season, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Source - Pirates, catcher Roberto Pérez agree on 1-year MLB deal  —  PITTSBURGH — Catcher Roberto Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in agreement on a one-year contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN's Jeff Passan.  —  The deal, which is contingent upon Perez passing a physical …

Gary Sanchez returning to Yankees as team will tender him contract  —  Earlier this offseason, general manager Brian Cashman said he was “exploring” options to upgrade at catcher.  —  And if he didn't find anything, the GM said, “We'll come back with what we have.”

Where MLB's free-agent frenzy leaves the (so far) quiet Phillies as a lockout looms  —  There can be multiple things true about the free-agent frenzy that percolated on the brink of a Major League Baseball lockout and barely included the Phillies.  Players who would have helped them are no longer available.

Transactions … Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Locke St. John to a minor league contract.  —  Chicago Cubs signed free agent CF Narciso Crook to a minor league contract.  —  Cleveland Guardians traded RF Harold Ramirez to Chicago Cubs for cash.  —  Chicago Cubs selected the contract …

Avisail Garcia reaches deal with Miami Marlins, who reportedly are finalizing extension with Sandy Alcantara  —  MIAMI — The Miami Marlins are finalizing an extension with right-hander Sandy Alcantara and have reached an agreement with free-agent outfielder Avisail Garcia.