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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …