Cincinnati Reds tag RHP Nick Martinez with $21 million qualifying offer  —  SAN ANTONIO - The Cincinnati Reds have decided to make a qualifying offer to free agent pitcher Nick Martinez, assuring draft pick compensation if he declines the offer and signs with another team.

Sources: Royals retain Michael Wacha on 3-year, $51M deal  —  Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a fourth-year club option and can max out at $72 million, sources told ESPN.  —  The Royals announced the deal Sunday but did not disclose terms.

14 first-timers highlight 2024 Gold Glove winners  —  The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced Sunday night on ESPN, with first-timers once again stealing the show.  —  This year's group of winners featured 14 first-time Gold Glovers, tied with 2022 for the most in a single season.

Sources: MLB finds prospect linked to Padres falsified age  —  A Major League Baseball investigation recently found a top teenage prospect in the Dominican Republic who had verbally agreed to sign with the San Diego Padres falsified his paperwork and is 5 years older than previously believed …

Sources: Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opts out of contract  —  New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract Saturday, leaving the team with the ability to ensure he remains in pinstripes by adding an additional year at $36 million to the four years and $144 million that had been remaining on the contract, sources told ESPN.

Lingering hip flexor issue keeps Jaylen Brown out for Celtics on Saturday  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jaylen Brown told the Globe the left hip flexor injury that kept him out of Saturday night's game has been lingering for a few weeks.  —  Brown, who played 37 minutes in Friday's 124-109 win …

Braves reach $13M contract with Bummer, revise Lopez's deal  —  ATLANTA — Left-hander Aaron Bummer agreed Saturday to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, who also reached a revised three-year, $30 million deal with All-Star Reynaldo Lopez that guarantees the right-hander an additional $4 million.

Russini's what I'm hearing about NFL trade deadline: 13 players, 18 teams to watch closely  —  The NFL's toughest people aren't always found on the field.  In a week dominated by discussions surrounding a young quarterback who tapped out before a third-down play and a grandstanding defensive …

Diamondbacks' contract updates: Geno is back, along with ‘biggest mistake’ of last offseason  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks' contract option decisions for 2025 have been decided over the past two days, with no surprises in terms of who is staying and who is going.

Why Dodgers' World Series title vindicates Dave Roberts  —  Blake Treinen glanced toward his dugout, saw manager Dave Roberts emerge from it and, for a moment, felt demoralized.  There were two runners on with one out in the eighth inning.  The Los Angeles Dodgers clung to a one-run lead …

Giants' Zack Minasian joins Angels' Perry as brothers GMs  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Zack Minasian and was promoted to general manager of the San Francisco Giants on Friday, joining the Los Angeles Angels' Perry Minasian to make the brothers both big league GMs.  —  The 41-year-old Zack Minasian …

Scott Kingery traded after nearly a decade in Phillies organization  —  Scott Kingery traded after nearly a decade in Phillies organization originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia  —  Nearly a decade after being drafted in the second round and 6½ years after signing …