MLB plans to emphasize enforcement of balks as changes kick in  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball plans to emphasize enforcement of the balk rule in 2023 as it implements sweeping rules changes, including a pitch clock that will place more focus on the arcane rule, league officials said Tuesday.

Chicago Bulls — without the injured DeMar DeRozan — need a spark to end 4-game skid: 'We're just getting stagnant'  —  INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bulls are in a rut.  That was clear enough from their four-game losing streak in which they topped 100 points only once …

Chicago Cubs are talking like contenders.  So let's hold them accountable if they don't improve this year.  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 85  —  Ron Coomer, left, moderates as Cubs manager David Ross, from second left, first base coach Mike Napoli, third base coach Willie Harris …

Yankees' Frankie Montas to undergo shoulder surgery, could miss entire season  —  On the day pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Yankees are already down a starter.  Frankie Montas will undergo surgery on his right shoulder and could miss the entire 2023 season, manager Aaron Boone revealed.

Rob Manfred: MLB ready if Diamond Sports Group can't pay teams  —  PHOENIX — The impending bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group, the company that owns Bally's 19 regional sports networks, will not affect fans' ability to watch their favorite teams play, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred …

Heat's Tyler Herro receives invitation to All-Star 3-point contest, but out vs. Nets  —  NEW YORK — Amid the teams' 3-point struggles this season the Miami Heat apparently still have fans in the NBA office.  —  Or at least guard Tyler Herro does.  —  Despite ranking 76th in the league …

Mike Trout plans to spend season persuading free-agent to be Shohei Ohtani to stay with Angels  —  TEMPE, Ariz. - Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout answered questions for nearly 15 minutes Wednesday morning, and all but about 12 seconds, it seemed, was spent talking about Shohei Ohtani.

Inland boys athlete of the week: Marquis Bradley, Ontario Christian  —  The Inland boys athlete of the week:  —  Name: Marquis Bradley  —  School: Ontario Christian  —  Sports: Basketball  —  Year: Sophomore  —  Noteworthy: Bradley, a 5-foot-11 guard, averaged 24 points, seven rebounds …

San Gabriel Valley Boys Athlete of the Week: Andrew Mora, Sierra Vista  —  Mora struck out 12 of the 15 batters he faced while throwing a five-inning perfect game against El Monte.  —  San Gabriel Valley Boys Athlete of the Week  —  Name: Andrew Mora  —  School: Sierra Vista  —  Sport: Baseball

Six biggest questions for MLB spring training: New Braves, Yankees shortstops?  —  Pity the ballclub that relies too heavily on spring training to evaluate its roster.  —  No, most teams have a strong idea what their regular season club will look like when pitchers and catchers report …

Cardinals' front office roles will expand, evolve during John Mozeliak's contract extension  —  St. Louis Cardinals players participated in batting practice during the second day of spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak spoke …

With rebuild in rearview mirror, the young Orioles are 'excited to see what we've got' with eye on playoffs  —  After the trade deadline in August, when Mike Elias, the Orioles' executive vice president and general manager, said “it's liftoff from here” and suggested significant free-agent additions …

Ravens hire Georgia's Todd Monken as next offensive coordinator  —  The Georgia Bulldogs won two consecutive national championships with a 5-foot-11 former walk-on at quarterback.  The offensive mind guiding Stetson Bennett through that double gauntlet belonged to a well-traveled coach named Todd Monken.

Nets' lack of offense proves costly in first loss to Knicks since 2020  —  Where is the offense going to come from?  —  It's the biggest question facing the new-look Nets as they attempt to salvage a season derailed by back-to-back trade requests from the city's previous two biggest basketball stars.