Sources: Albert Pujols signing one-year, $2.5 million deal with St. Louis Cardinals  —  Albert Pujols is going back to where it all started — to the organization with which he carved out a Hall of Fame career, and to the city that still adores him.  —  On Sunday night, Pujols …

Sources: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks agree to extension  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to an extension with Ketel Marte that includes around $51 million in new money, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan, confirming multiple reports.  —  The agreement, which totals five years …

Dusty Baker tinkering with José Altuve's spot in Houston Astros' lineup  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Dusty Baker is tinkering with his lineup and wants to avoid hitting José Altuve leadoff.  —  Houston's manager primarily batted the three-time American League batting champion first last year …

A year later, Wendell Carter Jr. finally comes into his own with Magic  —  It was almost a year ago when the foundation was laid for Wendell Carter Jr.'s breakout 2021-22 season.  —  The Orlando Magic made the franchise-altering decision to trade All-Star big man Nikola Vučević …

Freddie shares farewell letter with Braves fans  —  With the regular season less than two weeks away, I want to address some issues that have arisen since I began this next chapter of my life with the Dodgers.  —  First of all, my relationship with (Braves president of baseball operations) Alex Anthopoulos remains great.

Despite Zach LaVine's 39 points, the Chicago Bulls fall to the New Orleans Pelicans for their 10th loss in 13 games  —  Zach LaVine wanted to do it all Thursday night in New Orleans, but even the Chicago Bulls guard has his limitations.  —  LaVine has done it before, game after game, in his five seasons in Chicago.

MLB Further Cracks Down on Sticky Stuff Due to Suspected Cheating  —  Umpires will conduct different inspections this year as pitchers seemingly found ways to circumvent checks in late 2021.  —  MLB issued a memo to its clubs Friday outlining a further crackdown on sticky substances …

Dodgers' Maddux Bruns looks electric, plus a name to remember - Scouting the Cactus League's back fields  —  Maddux Bruns was the Dodgers' first-round pick in 2021, the final selection of the round after an up-and-down year that saw the Alabama high school lefty show premium stuff but often struggled with strikes.

Kansas City Royals' Carlos Hernández not deterred by home runs in first spring start  —  Kansas City Royals right-hander Carlos Hernández came out of the starting gate firing fastballs near 100 mph in his first spring-training start of the year.

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani to get Opening Day start at both pitcher, designated hitter  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation who is coming off a unanimous American League MVP selection, will start Opening Day for the Los Angeles Angels, manager Joe Maddon said Friday.

Saint Peter's tops Purdue, makes 15 seed history  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Doug Edert hopped on the press table and punched his fist in the air toward a delirious section of Saint Peter's fans — aren't they all? — as his teammates thumped their chests, waved eight fingers and turned the mayhem into one perfect Peacock party.