Ballbug: Tigers Place Mark Lowe On Release Waivers (Connor Byrne/MLB Trade Rumors)

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: NBCSports.com, Beyond the Box Score, FanRag Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, 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 and Sportsnet.ca

John Harper / New York Daily News:

Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo give Mets incredible pitching depth — PORT ST. LUCIE — Spring training has confirmed what the decision-makers believed their eyes told them last September: Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo are the real thing, and combined with a return to health of the more touted starters …

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue

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

Discussion: DRaysBay

Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:

Tigers Place Mark Lowe On Release Waivers — The Tigers have placed reliever Mark Lowe on unconditional release waivers, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com (Twitter link). The right-hander is due a $5.5MM salary this year, so he'll likely clear waivers and become a free agent.

Discussion: Bless You Boys

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, Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish

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, MLB Trade Rumors, Let's Go Tribe, NBCSports.com, 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