Herro's 33 not enough as Heat fall 106-92 in Toronto in injury absence of Butler  —  TORONTO — No, not optimal.  —  Coming off a game when they arguably were at their worst, the Miami Heat faced the challenge of responding to that adversity in the void of their best player.  —  It went as expected.

Giants chairman Greg Johnson assesses team, commits to Farhan Zaidi beyond 2023  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants chairman Greg Johnson made his best personal pitch to Aaron Judge this offseason.  Johnson approved the $350 million contract with Carlos Correa that would have nearly doubled the largest guaranteed sum in franchise history.

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles' top pitching prospect, won't make starting rotation to begin season  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Grayson Rodriguez's much-anticipated arrival to the major leagues will have to wait, as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde informed the top pitching prospect Monday morning that he would instead begin the season in Triple-A.

Ump ejects Phillies' J.T. Realmuto after awkward ball handoff  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected Monday from a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays for an awkward ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation.

Mets DFA struggling outfielder Darin Ruf  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have made a decision about struggling DH Darin Ruf, designating him for assignment.  —  The 36-year-old right-handed hitter won't be included on the club's Opening Day roster.  Instead, the Mets will select outfielder Tim Locastro …

Outfielder Cristian Pache, out of minor-league options, will not make A's roster  —  Cristian Pache will not make the Oakland Athletics' season-opening roster, manager Mark Kotsay said on Monday night, making it possible the center fielder will not be in the organization much longer.

Sources: Hoerner, Cubs agree on 3-year, $35 million extension  —  Second baseman Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $35 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, locking up the team's most productive player last season for an extra season before he was due to hit free agency.

Joey Votto to begin Cincinnati Reds season on injured list, ending his Opening Day streak  —  For the first time since 2008, a stretch of 14 consecutive seasons, Joey Votto won't be written into the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day lineup.  —  Votto announced Monday he will begin a Triple …

MLB season preview: Rankings, playoff odds for all 30 teams  —  MLB opening week is here — and if you blinked this offseason, you missed a lot.  —  With some of the game's most recognizable faces in new places, it's time to reset the rankings for 2023.  Will newcomer Xander Bogaerts …

How Padres erased 30-game deficit to Dodgers (on paper)  —  A remarkable turnaround unfolded this winter.  ESPN Films isn't going to make a “30 for 30” documentary about it, but in its own way it was an exceptional thing:  —  Without a single regular-season game played …

MLB predictions 2023: Expert picks for World Series, division winners, MVP and Cy Young awards  —  Major League Baseball's 2023 season begins with opening day on Thursday, March 30, the first games in what should be a memorable campaign filled with intrigue, star power, controversy and discourse around the new rules.

What change Nolan Gorman made to get back in the swing, launch himself as Cardinals DH  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The swing change Nolan Gorman needed to power his way back to the majors began not with a bat in his hand but a medicine ball.  —  Early in the offseason, Gorman's quest to connect …

Tyler O'Neill ranges over to claim center field.  Real race is just starting: Cardinals Extra  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — One of the reasons why Tyler O'Neill, a Gold Glove-winner twice over in left field, lobbied to audition at center field this spring was because he felt playing the position …

Anthony Volpe realizes ‘super surreal’ dream after making Yankees' roster  —  TAMPA — Shortly after the Yankees' Sunday spring training game against the Blue Jays, the team's shot-callers asked Anthony Volpe to stick around.  He swears it's the only time he's felt his heart beat all spring.