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.

Winderman's view: A night of painted misery for Heat in loss in Toronto  —  TORONTO — Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night's 106-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors:  — At just about every turn, the Miami Heat have avoided the next big thing.  — Jae Crowder at power forward worked.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Julius Randle addresses slew of outbursts, says they're not reflection of leadership: ‘Name a perfect leader?’  —  A refreshed Julius Randle acknowledged there's a fine line between passion and frustration gone too far, but the Knicks All-Star doesn't believe his latest outbursts should reflect negatively on his ability to lead.

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.

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.

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 …

Mets' Kodai Senga gets relief from talk with Koji Uehara  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — When Kodai Senga's first stateside spring training was interrupted this month by tendinitis in his right index finger, a minor pain caused at least partially by the grip of his signature splitter …

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.

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 …