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 …

Heat sign Kevin Love to one-year, $3.1M deal; roster at 15 for first time this season  —  The Miami Heat formally announced the signings Monday of veteran power forward Kevin Love and veteran center Cody Zeller.  —  Love became available on the NBA buyout market after he was released Saturday by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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 …

‘The script is ready:’ Padres no longer the Dodgers' ‘little brother’ in NL West  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - The intimidation is gone.  —  No more fear.  —  Not even the slightest apprehension.  —  The San Diego Padres, after being bullied since the day they were born, are convinced they are bigger …

Tyler O'Neill in hot pursuit of the Cardinals' starting center field job as camp starts  —  St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Derrick Goold and Lynn Worthy share what developments they are looking at for St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter …

UNLV Mourns Passing Of Football Student-Athlete Ryan Keeler  —  LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV community is mourning the loss of Rebel football student-athlete Ryan Keeler, who passed away in Las Vegas on Monday.  —  “We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rebel family,” …

Vic Fangio makes clear Dolphins will rely less on blitz under his coaching, talks decision to join Miami  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Gone are the days where the Miami Dolphins will be ultra-reliant on the blitz to pressure opposing quarterbacks, something that irritated many fans and observers last season.

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 …

Which MLB free agents who changed teams are most irreplaceable?  Baseball insiders weigh in  —  Is anyone in baseball truly “irreplaceable”?  That sounds like a hot debate for a sports-talk host near you.  But that's not why we bring this up.  —  We bring it up because we're about to find out.

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.”

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:

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 …