MLB announces pace of game initiatives, replay modifications  —  Richard Justice joins Fran Charles on MLB Tonight to discuss how baseball is incorporating new pace of play rules  —  Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark …

‘Fan favorite’ Papelbon seems to soften over leaving Phillies'  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - After playing catch and running through pitcher's fielding practice on the second day of camp yesterday, Jonathan Papelbon changed into his street clothes and asked a media relations representative a question.

Angels' Josh Hamilton could be out a month longer than expected  —  There is no locker for Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton in the team's Tempe Diablo Stadium clubhouse this spring, and there is a good chance one won't be needed.  —  General Manager Jerry Dipoto acknowledged on Friday that Hamilton …

Villanueva had to wear ‘many hats’ for one he wanted  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • When pitcher Carlos Villanueva hit the open market this past offseason he suggested to his agent that he had seen enough of the National League Central and was ready to take his talents to other locales.

Blue Jays 1st rounder Pentecost undergoes surgery  —  Max Pentecost recently underwent shoulder surgery in an operation that will delay the 2015 debut of the Toronto Blue Jays' 2014 first rounder, sources told Sportsnet.  —  Dr. James Andrews performed the operation, a scope intended to clean …

Shields rebuffed bigger Giants offer weeks before landing in San Diego  —  While there's still no evidence James Shields received or rebuffed a rumored $110-million, five-year offer this winter, Shields did turn down an $80-million, four-year proposal from the Giants a few weeks before signing …

Defending CWS champ Vanderbilt to play TCU in opener  —  LOS ANGELES - The two most recent College World Series champions will be on display in the Dodger Stadium College Baseball Classic Sunday, March 8, when 2013 titlist UCLA meets USC and defending champion Vanderbilt faces TCU, the Dodgers announced.

Wilson, Zito attacking winter with vigor  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Brian Wilson and Barry Zito have found a way to avoid the tedium of offseason workouts.  —  The pair of Giants pitchers, who are rooming together this winter at Zito's West Hollywood home in Los Angeles, found a novel site for their …

Colorado Rockies and ROOT SPORTS Announce 2015 Telecast Schedule  —  The Colorado Rockies and ROOT SPORTS™ announced today the network's 2015 Colorado Rockies telecast schedule.  The network will air 150 Rockies regular season games and six Spring Training games.

Top 100 Prospects: Start Of A Ranking Revolution  —  Your browser does not support iframes.  —  It was 25 years ago that Baseball America unveiled its first Top 100 Prospects list.  —  Braves wunderkind lefty Steve Avery was the original No. 1 prospect, a few months before his 20th birthday.

Chicago Cubs To Honor Ernie Banks During Spring Training, Opening Night At Wrigley Field And Throughout The 2015 Season  —  CHICAGO - Following the passing of “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks, the Chicago Cubs have announced plans to pay tribute to the Hall of Famer during Spring Training …