Willson Contreras determined to silence the critics with Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fl.  - Funny how two teams, historic rivals in the same division, can view the same player so differently.  The Cubs bid farewell to Willson Contreras in part because he did not meet their standards for defensive preparation and game-calling.

Padres say keeping Manny Machado is a priority, but let star's extension deadline pass with only one offer  —  Machado let team know in December that he didn't want negotiate after the start of spring training; his deadline was Thursday  —  The Padres have received widespread praise …

Tomas Nido, Mets catchers adjusting to new pitching staff  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The relationship between Mets' catcher Tomas Nido and the club's newest ace began in Jupiter last month.  A bond was formed over not just baseball, but cars.  However, the batterymates did not bond over the same type of cars, just their affinity for them.

New A's outfielder JJ Bleday arrives with a goal: ‘Dominate the heater’  —  MESA, Ariz. - Outfielder JJ Bleday arrived in Oakland Athletics camp on Friday at the end of a whirlwind week, greetings spilling onto the field during an informal hitters' workout.  Near home plate …

Nightengale's Notebook: 111-win Dodgers in uncharted territory after unusually quiet winter?  —  PHOENIX — Look around the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, and there are stars everywhere you turn.  —  There are three Most Valuable Player award winners in Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

Joe Mazzulla's ascension to permanent head coach a popular move with Celtic players  —  SALT LAKE CITY — What's apparent about Joe Mazzulla being named permanent head coach of the Celtics is the team is ready to move forward from the Ime Udoka mess, if they haven't already.

Aaron Nola, Phillies in talks over long-term extension: ‘I love it here’  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — After Aaron Nola got married in Adairsville, Ga., on New Year's Eve, he returned to Florida with his wife.  Aaron and Hunter are simple people — they traveled the country last winter …

Recapping the Chicago Bulls: Short-handed roster can't keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks as skid hits a season-high 6  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 22  —  Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, right, watches from the bench in the second half of a game against the Bucks on Thursday at the United Center.

Cap Selections Announced for Fred McGriff, Scott Rolen  —  (COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) - The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that a St. Louis Cardinals logo will appear on the cap of the Hall of Fame plaque for 2023 Hall of Fame electee Scott Rolen.

USC gets back on track with easy win over Cal  —  LOS ANGELES — Another steal, this one an intercepted pass by Drew Peterson, and USC was off and running against Cal. Peterson took a few easy dribbles up the court, freshman Oziyah Sellers his running mate in transition.

Mike Clevinger says don't ‘rush to judgment’ while the Chicago White Sox pitcher remains under MLB investigation  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 18  —  White Sox players arrive for a spring training practice on Feb. 15, 2023.  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Spring training began Wednesday …

Giants hire Brian Daboll's son, Christian, after student-coach stint at Penn State  —  The Giants are becoming a family affair for Coach of the Year Brian Daboll.  Daboll has hired his son, Christian, as an offensive assistant on his coaching staff, multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday night.

Rob Manfred questions whether San Diego Padres can sustain their huge payroll in small market  —  PHOENIX — The economic disparity in baseball is starting to become an alarming concern among owners, with commissioner Rob Manfred questioning Wednesday whether teams like the San Diego Padres …