Braun's Spring Training comment draws reaction  —  PHOENIX — The gaggle of reporters thought Ryan Braun was kidding, but the Brewers outfielder made clear he was serious when he uttered the quote that would go on to make the social media rounds Thursday.  —  It was Braun being Braun, at least when it comes to Spring Training.

Dominicans Use Defense, Pitching And Power To Push Venezuela To Brink In WBC  —  SAN DIEGO—The Dominican Republic is a team defined by its big bombers, an All-Star-driven juggernaut expected to pummel opponents into submission.  —  On Thursday night, the Dominicans showed they can win …

The full story on LB Derrick Johnson & FB Anthony Sherman's reworked contracts: The Chiefs - who were tight to the salary cap - have agreed to a major pay cut with linebacker Derrick Johnson, per league source.  Johnson, who tore his Achilles last year, was due a base salary $4.75M for 2017 and up to $1M in per game roster bonuses.

Profar, relievers among stars of Rangers' spring training  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  The star of Texas Rangers spring training hasn't been at the Surprise Recreation Campus since late February.  —  Nevertheless, Jurickson Profar is opening eyes with his play in the World Baseball Classic …

Jason Hammel impresses, Raul Mondesi homers in 7-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox  —  The most impressive performance of Jason Hammel's spring was spoiled by one pitch to White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada.  Well, nearly spoiled.  —  “Save for the last pitch, it was a pretty good outing …

Cubs starters cautious about plans for occasional six-man rotation  —  Cubs' Brett Anderson on his fourth game and his slider on March 14, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Preventive maintenance or an untimely tuneup?  —  That's the fine line Jon Lester …

The Quest to Determine the Second Best Pitcher in Baseball  —  As long as Clayton Kershaw is still pitching, every other starter in the majors is competing for the silver medal.  Who's no. 2?  According to a bunch of big leaguers, it's Max Scherzer.

Surge at the 6-spot could signal end of the glove-first SS  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) As an All-Star shortstop in the 1970s and '80s, Larry Bowa recalls having a clear job description:  —  “Catch the balls and make all the plays.”  —  Bowa typified the traditional sandpaper shortstop …

Support System: Tom Crean may have fallen out of favor at Indiana, but his coaching family will be there to pick him up  —  Chris Mack, Archie Miller could land Indiana coaching job  — Indiana decided that Tom Crean no longer was the right coach to lead its program, but his coaching family is ready to support him.

Michael Pineda learned English the hard way  —  TAMPA, Fla. — When New York Yankees starter Michael Pineda applied pine tar to his neck at Fenway Park three years ago, he might as well have added a “Kick Me” sign.  —  The oddity of the event, combined with the enormity of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry …

Orioles release right-hander Logan Ondrusek  —  Anthony Santander is having an elbow scan Thursday, highlighting the Orioles' Rule 5 complications this year.  —  Eduardo A. Encina and Jon Meoli discuss Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman's shoulder and the pitchers that the Orioles are considering …

Spin doctors: Pinpointing the reasons for a pitcher's success  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The subject was spin rate, and that brought Jim Palmer back to a question he once asked Elrod Hendricks, one of Palmer's catchers during his years in Baltimore.  —  “How do I get them out?”