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 …

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is open to two closers  —  TAMPA — Dellin Betances?  Andrew Miller?  Both?  Welcome to the Yankees' closer situation.  —  Last year, David Robertson had a seamless transition as Mariano Rivera's successor, but the Yankees enter this spring without a clear-cut answer at the closer spot.

Nationals exercise 2016 option on contract of Manager Matt Williams  —  Facebook: Nationals  —  Your browser does not support iframes.  —  The Washington Nationals exercised the 2016 club option on manager Matt Williams' contract on Saturday, solidifying the 2014 BBWAA National League Manager …

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 …

‘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.

Rays' McGee working back from elbow surgery  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Slowly but relatively surely, Rays LHP Jake McGee is working his way back from arthroscopic elbow surgery to what looks like a late April/early May return.  —  “Day by day,” he said.  —  McGee has been playing catch three days …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …