D-Backs Avoid Arbitration With Addison Reed  —  The number of unsettled arbitration cases is rapidly winding down, but there are still a handful to be resolved.  We'll keep track of today's minor settlements here, with all projections coming via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz...

Manager's nephew, former Phillie have Major League experience  —  9/7/13: With his back turned, Josh Roenicke stops an Adam Lind comebacker that goes between his legs, throwing to first for the out  —  MILWAUKEE — The nephew of Brewers manager Ron Roenicke and a former Phillie …

Right-hander appeared in 14 games for independent league T-Bones in 2014  —  Alex Gordon's younger brother, Derek, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, was signed from the Kansas City T-Bones.  —  KANSAS CITY — Left fielder Alex Gordon will have a very familiar face hanging around Spring Training this year.

Report: MLB could shrink strike zone in 2016  —  With offense on the decline and strikeouts at an all-time high, major league baseball is looking into shrinking the strike zone, according to a Yahoo Sports report.  —  Any formal rules change would have to be approved by baseball's Playing Rules Committee.

Ray Rice issues statement thanking Baltimore, apologizing for domestic-violence incident  —  As the one-year anniversary of his high-profile domestic-violence incident approaches this weekend, former Ravens star running back Ray Rice issued a statement Friday morning to The Baltimore Sun.

Pioneering Toronto Star baseball writer Alison Gordon dead at 72  —  Gordon, who covered the Blue Jays for the Star from 1979 to 1984, was Major League Baseball's first female beat writer.  —  Alison Gordon, shown here in 2001, was the Toronto Star's Blue Jays' beat writer from 1979-84.

Pitcher's revised plan included mixing in high fastball  —  Adam Ottavino discusses the importance of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to the Rockies and the challenges of playing at Coors Field  —  DENVER — The metrics tell Rockies right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino to go for the high hard one.

Joe Blanton Signs Minor League Deal With Royals  —  10:40am: The Royals have announced the signing, noting that Blanton will be in Major League Spring Training.  Heyman adds that Blanton can receive $3MM worth of incentives, and his contract contains opt-out clauses on April 1 and May 15.

It's Official _ All-Star Game to Be Played in Miami in 2017  —  MIAMI — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made it official Friday — the Miami Marlins will host the 2017 All-Star Game.  —  Manfred's announcement came at a news conference at Marlins Park.  Among those attending were Gov. Rick Scott …

Yadier Alvarez Emerges While Other Cubans Move Closer to Deals  —  I returned a few days ago from a three-day trip to the Dominican to see top July 2nd prospects (more on that in the coming weeks) and also a workout that had 18 Cuban players in it.  Two of those 18 were big-time prospects …

Gallardo, Ludwick prominent veterans acquired after club's tough 2014 season  —  Yovani Gallardo was durable and made the adjustments necessary to remain effective in 2014 and he could be due for another solid season  —  ARLINGTON — When a team loses 95 games, there are bound to be new faces in Spring Training the next season.