Reds at least considering trading big names, reducing payroll  —  It's public knowledge that the Reds are open to trading a starting pitcher.  They need to be proactive, considering four of their starters - Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake and Alfredo Simon - are entering their free-agent years.

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Brandon Drury among 5 added to 40-man roster  —  The Diamondbacks added five players to their 40-man roster on Thursday: infielder Brandon Drury, outfielder Socrates Brito, left-hander Will Locante and right-handers A.J. Schugel and Kevin Munson.

Padres, Braves in hunt for Tomas  —  The race to sign Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas is heating up once again.  —  The Braves and Padres have emerged as the frontrunners in the Tomas' sweepstakes and top officials from both clubs are expected to meet with him this weekend in the Dominican Republic, according to industry sources.

Braves shopping Justin Upton at a steep price  —  The Braves are very much shopping Justin Upton and are requesting a higher return than they received earlier this week when they dealt their other corner outfielder, Jason Heyward.  —  In exchange for Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden …

Source: Texas PG Taylor out several weeks  —  Texas point guard Isaiah Taylor will miss Friday night's game against California due to a wrist injury and is expected to miss an extended amount of time, sources told ESPN.  —  The 10th-ranked Longhorns' sophomore floor leader suffered …

MLB to tweak replay system, but managers' challenges will stay  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Baseball's instant-replay system will feature some tweaks in 2015, but the foundation will remain the same.  Once again, the managers will be the stars of the show.  —  Major League Baseball COO …

Dodgers Acquire Joel Peralta  —  The Dodgers announced that they have acquired right-hander Joel Peralta and lefty Adam Liberatore from the Rays in exchange for right-handers Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris.  —  Peralta, 39 in March, has been a workhorse out of the Rays' bullpen for the past four seasons …

Individual game tickets to go on sale Monday, December 1  —  ATLANTA, Ga. - The Atlanta Braves released their 2015 spring training schedule today.  The 34-game slate begins on Wednesday, March 4, with a home contest against the New York Mets at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista …

COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB  —  ROCKIES PUT TYLER ANDERSON ON 40-MAN ROSTER; JUAN NICASIO ON WAY OUT  —  The Denver Post  —  Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers on May 6 at Coors Field.  (John Leyba, Denver Post file)

Giants announce Spring Training schedule  —  The Giants will play 17 Spring Training games at Scottsdale Stadium in 2015.  —  The World Series-champion Giants will open their Spring Training schedule on March 3 against the Athletics at newly renovated HoHoKam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. …

(USATSI)  —  The White Sox, who seek a left-handed hitter, are considering a pursuit of free-agent outfield star Melky Cabrera.  —  The move would make sense for the improving White Sox, who struggled from the No. 2 position in the batting order last year.

Pirates Claim Pedro Florimon  —  The Pirates have claimed infielder Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Nationals, Washington announced today.  —  Florimon, 28 next month, is a switch-hitting shortstop with a questionable bat and outstanding glove.  He saw the lion's share of playing …