Agent says Shohei Ohtani has right to explore free agency  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, has been consistently coy about his client's contract status, but he hinted Monday at something many in the industry had long assumed — that Ohtani will probably explore free agency …

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.

Sources: D-Backs exploring long-term deal with rookie Corbin Carroll  —  The Diamondbacks view rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll as a centerpiece of their future.  The club is taking a stab at making that official.  —  Sources say the Diamondbacks have engaged Carroll in conversations …

A brief Q&A with Red Sox principal owner John Henry  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox ownership is scheduled to meet with the team on Monday morning as the first full-squad workout of the season gets underway.  —  Coming off a disappointing 2022 season, the Red Sox made several additions …

Alex Verdugo approached Red Sox about long-term deal  —  OF thinks he can be an All-Star in 2023  —  Start the conversation  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Verdugo is betting on himself this season.  —  He knows what the Red Sox want from him, and he's confident enough to let the Red Sox know what he wants in return:

Cubs' Seiya Suzuki gained 20 pounds preparing for second MLB season, WBC  —  Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman has also been a big proponent of the World Baseball Classic.  —  MESA, Ariz. — Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki had to choose between his first normal spring training or starring …

Daniel Vogelbach ‘ready to do my part’ for Mets after slimming down  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The high expectations surrounding the Mets this year in part prompted Daniel Vogelbach to address his weight during the offseason.  —  Vogelbach said he isn't sure how much he has lost exactly …

Rays turn to Díaz to solve first-base gap ... for now  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA — A new accessory arrived with Yandy Díaz in the Rays' clubhouse on Monday: a first baseman's mitt, ready to be broken in.  —  “Last year, they were borrowed,” Díaz said.  “They weren't mine.”

Kodai Senga gives teammates a look at signature ‘ghost fork’ during first live batting practice of spring  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Kodai Senga doesn't quite know who started calling his forkball a “ghost fork” but he knows he heard the term about a decade ago.  His signature pitch isn't technically …

Heat reach agreement to add Kevin Love, moving toward Cody Zeller deal  —  The Miami Heat are expected to have a dramatically different look to their power rotation when they return from their current eight-day All-Star break, with an NBA source confirming to the South Florida Sun Sentinel …

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hangs on to win longest Daytona 500  —  DAYTONA BEACH — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was running low on fuel and time but found just enough resolve in the tank to win the longest Daytona 500 in history.  —  Stenhouse didn't even have enough gas to perform a burnout Sunday evening on the storied speedway.