Mets' Jeurys Familia suspended 15 games for domestic violence incident  —  New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia was suspended for 15 games by Major League Baseball after an off-season domestic violence incident, it was announced Wednesday.  —  Familia, 27, was charged with simple assault …

Ichiro can't fathom retirement: 'I think I'll just die'  —  JUPITER  —  Ichiro Suzuki doesn't believe in vacations.  —  The last time he took one — 2004 or '05, he doesn't recall which — was a week-long trip to Milan, Italy.  He worked out pretty much the entire time and said the excursion threw …

After frustrating 2016, Royals' Alex Gordon happy to be leading off again  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Alex Gordon entered this spring with an unofficial list of simple goals.  He sought comfort at the plate.  He wanted to feel good about his swing again.  He wished to move forward …

Saving the day?  Rays go with catchers Derek Norris and Jesus Sucre  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The Rays went into the offseason seeking to improve a catching corps that has seemed perpetually in need of an upgrade since — save for a brief flash from Dioner Navarro — the halcyon days of Toby Hall and John Flaherty.

Nationals Release Vance Worley  —  The Nationals have announced the release of veteran righty Vance Worley.  With several other pitchers re-assigned to minor-league camp, fellow righty Jeremy Guthrie is left as the only non-roster hurler in MLB camp, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post notes (Twitter links).

Cubs' final roster spot coming down to Matt Szczur or Tommy La Stella  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Addison Russell and Munenori Kawasaki on March 27, 2017.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The truck transporting the Cubs equipment and personal belongings …

Peter Bourjos debuts with a bang for Rays  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — On his first day as a Ray, OF Peter Bourjos made a leaping catch at the centerfield wall, had three hits — including a two-run homer — and three RBIs.  —  “You always want to make a good first impression,” Bourjos said.

Why the Bears finally feel like they're in striking distance of a winning team  —  PHOENIX - Where the relationship between Bears GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox goes beyond 2017 remains to play out with their third season together.  At this point, however, despite a combined total of nine wins …

Bruce Arians wants David Johnson to average 30 touches per game in 2017  —  PHOENIX - David Johnson's 23 touches per game last season weren't enough for Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.  —  Arians wants more from the third-year running back in 2017.  —  “I want to have 30 touches out of him …

Martavis Bryant's reinstatement to Steelers imminent, per league source  —  Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) stretches out for the ball but fails to pull in a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of Sunday's game against the Ravens in Baltimore.

Reds make cuts, claim Scooter Gennett from Brewers  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds claimed infielder Scooter Gennett off of waivers on Tuesday and sent seven players to minor-league camp.  —  Gennett fills the team's need for a left-handed bat off the bench and the Reds believe he can play second base, third base and left field.