Ballbug: Phillies could pursue a trade to ease roster crunch (Matt Gelb/Philly.com)

Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:

Sources: Rougned Odor expected to sign multi-year extension with Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. - It has become a big week for Rangers who were teammates on the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic. — Albeit, it's about to be much bigger for Rougned Odor than Robinson Chirinos.

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors, FanRag Sports, MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Think Factory

Rangers Close To Extension With Rougned Odor — The Rangers are “increasingly optimistic” of finalizing a contract extension with second baseman Rougned Odor before Spring Training is over, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. The deal “may only be lacking formalities” at this point.

Discussion: Bleacher Nation, FanRag Sports and Sportsnet.ca

Tampa Bay Times:

10 things we think we know about Rays as season approaches — PORT CHARLOTTE — With the season opener — finally — just a week from today, there are things we know for sure about the Rays. — Chris Archer is pumped to make his third straight opening day start.

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors

Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:

Rays journal: Jake Bauers leaves with a bang as he heads to minor-league camp — INF/OF Jake Bauers left his calling card with a two-run double Thursday against the Yankees just hours after being told he was reassigned to minor-league camp. • Bauers, one of eight players reassigned …

Discussion: DRaysBay

Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Rangers' Darvish trending toward Opening Day start — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Yu Darvish allowed only one earned run on four hits in six innings Friday afternoon in a Triple A game and appears to be headed to his first Opening Day assignment with the Texas Rangers.

Discussion: WFAA-TV and Lone Star Ball

Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:

Trading Matt Szczur could give Cubs more flexibility on opening day roster — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon stresses emphatically that Cubs backup outfielder Matt Szczur is a bona fide major-league player.

Discussion: Cubs Insider and Bleacher Nation

Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:

Sources: Indians finalizing four-year extension with Jose Ramirez — Versatile infielder Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Indians are finalizing a four-year contract extension that will guarantee him upward of $30 million, sources familiar with the deal told Yahoo Sports.

Discussion: Plain Dealer, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Let's Go Tribe, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Daily Dish and FanRag Sports

Matt Gelb / Philly.com:

Phillies could pursue a trade to ease roster crunch — FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Phillies slogged here Saturday on a 300-mile, round-trip bus ride for yet another nine-inning audition to see who might fill the fringes of the roster. They have evaluated those in camp for six weeks now …

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation

ESPN:

Giants' Will Smith to have Tommy John surgery, to miss season — San Francisco Giants reliever Will Smith said Friday he will have Tommy John surgery next week, meaning he will miss the 2017 season. — The left-hander, who was projected to pitch the eighth inning for the Giants this season …

Discussion: Lone Star Ball

Dennis Lin / sandiegouniontribune.com:

Christian Friedrich diagnosed with lat strain, will open season on DL — San Diego Padres starting pitcher Christian Friedrich throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring baseball game in Scottsdale, Ariz., Thursday, March 2, 2017. (Chris Carlson / AP) (Chris Carlson / AP)

Discussion: FanRag Sports

Jim Salisbury / CSN Philly:

Phillies trim roster, send Tyler Goeddel, Jake Thompson to minors — CLEARWATER, Fla. — With a week to go before they leave Florida, the Phillies made several roster moves on Friday morning. — Outfielder Tyler Goeddel, who spent all of last season in the majors, was optioned to the minor leagues.

Discussion: The Good Phight and Phillies Nation

Roger Mooney / Tampa Bay Times:

Chris Archer to start Rays' opener as rotation set — PORT CHARLOTTE — Chris Archer laid out his schedule for the rest of spring training Thursday morning. It included a three-inning outing Tuesday, and then? — “I'm not sure yet. I haven't done the math,” he said. — He was joking.

Discussion: DRaysBay