Matt Kemp's arthritic hips hold up deal with Padres  —  The San Diego Padres are trying to decide whether to finalize or void their blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp after his physical revealed severe arthritis in both hips, a person familiar with the diagnosis told USA TODAY Sports.

Kottaras to join White Sox with Minor League deal  —  5/4/14: George Kottaras goes yard twice, notching the first multi-homer game of his career in his first game with the Indians  —  CHICAGO — George Kottaras will join the White Sox via a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training …

Red Sox In Active Trade Talks Regarding Allen Craig  —  The Red Sox are in active trade talks with at least one club regarding first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).  Craig is said to be fully recovered from a painful Lisfranc fracture suffered in his left foot in August, Morosi adds.

How Will MLB Handle Big Changes With Cuba?  —  The next step toward an influx of Cuban players coming to Major League Baseball teams is underway.  On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced sweeping changes in the United States' Cuban policies, easing trade and travel restrictions …

Angels, Dodgers Complete Drew Butera Trade  —  The Dodgers announced today that they have acquired infielder/outfielder Matt Long from the Angels to complete last week's Drew Butera trade.  However, the team also announced that it has has immediately flipped Long and left-hander Jarret Martin …

St. Petersburg Council rejects Rays stadium search  —  By Stephen Nohlgren, CHARLIE FRAGO and Kameel Stanley  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The stadium standoff continues.  Baseball's uncertain future in Tampa Bay has just grown more complicated.  —  The St. Petersburg City Council Thursday rejected …

Josh Johnson, Padres Nearing One-Year Deal  —  5:44pm: The base value of Johnson's deal is worth slightly under $2MM, but with incentives that could raise the total value to $8MM, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets.  —  5:00pm: The Padres and Josh Johnson are on the verge of completing a one-year deal, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Royals Sign Kris Medlen  —  The Royals announced that they have signed right-hander Kris Medlen to a two-year deal that contains a mutual option for the 2017 season.  Medlen, who is represented by the Wasserman Media Group, reportedly receives an $8.5MM guarantee.  He'll earn $2MM in 2015 and $5.5MM in 2016.

A Salute to Sy Berger, From a Card-Carrying Fan  —  When you grow up with a singular focus, whatever it is, you may find yourself relating to Will Ferrell's character in “Elf.”  Explaining his eating habits to his new family, the man-child from the North Pole says he sticks to the four main food groups …

NATS COULD BE BIG WINNER IN 3-TEAM TRADE OF PADRES GETTING RAYS' MYERS  —  Anyone who rushes to judgment on the Rays-Padres-Nationals megadeal might want to recall the last time Wil Myers was traded.  —  Remember?  —  The Royals were ripped for trading Myers, then one of the game's top hitting prospects …