Tiger not ‘tournament ready,’ will miss Masters  —  Woods does not have a timetable for return, but continues effort to recover  —  Tiger won his first of four green jackets in 1997.  (Getty Images)  —  TigerWoods.com  —  “Unfortunately, I won't be competing in this year's Masters.

Rangers demote Kela to preserve clubhouse chemistry  —  ARLINGTON  —  Right-hander Keone Kela, expected to be a key member of the Texas Rangers' bullpen, will be optioned to Triple A Round Rock to start the season as an apparent form of punishment for an undisclosed issue or series of issues …

Jose Reyes believes this year's Mets even better than 2006 team  —  They had Tom Glavine and Pedro Martinez, the Carlos-es — Delgado and Beltran — and David Wright in his prime.  For Jose Reyes, the 2006 Mets — 97-game winners, NL East champs, thwarted by the Cardinals in Game 7 of the NLCS — were the best team he'd ever played on.

Cubs, on Top, Look to Stay There in a Season Not Unlike the Last One  —  Unable to win a World Series in 108 seasons, the Chicago Cubs found themselves in an odd place last spring: They were favorites to do just that.  And they met those expectations in grand style, leading the majors in victories on their way to glory.

Braves Notes: Pagan, Cabrera, Offseason, Albies, Prospects  —  The Braves are still interested in free agent outfielder Angel Pagan, reports Jim Bowedn of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, citing a club source (Twitter link).  Atlanta has been tied to Pagan at various points this offseason.

Blue Jays Sign Chris Coghlan To Minor-League Deal  —  The Blue Jays have announced that they've signed outfielder Chris Coghlan to a minor-league deal.  Coghlan will report to Triple-A Buffalo.  —  The Phillies released Coghlan earlier this week after he reportedly declined to sign a 45 …

Mariners lefty Drew Smyly out 6-8 weeks with elbow injury  —  Two days after Mariners left-handed starter Drew Smyly was scratched from his final spring training start with what manager Scott Servais called a “soggy” arm, the team announced Smyly would miss at least the first month-and-a-half of the season with an elbow strain.

Former Phillies shortstop, scout, coach Ruben Amaro Sr. dies at 81  —  Former Phillies shortstop, scout and first base coach Ruben Amaro Sr. died Friday at 81, just one week after the passing of former Phillies manager Dallas Green.  —  Amaro, the father of former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. …

Mark Teixeira opens up about taking Greg Bird under his wing and talks about the Yankees bright future  —  If anyone knows about the pressures of playing first base in the Bronx - or about missing huge chunks of time due to injuries - it is Mark Teixeira.  —  The now-retired Yankee …

Padres Claim Jake Esch, Designate Cesar Vargas  —  The Padres have claimed righty Jake Esch off waivers from the Marlins, per club announcements.  San Diego has designated fellow righty Cesar Vargas for assignment to accommodate the addition.  —  Esch, who just turned 27, reached the majors for the first time last year.

Rangers' Cole Hamels, Andrew Cashner combine to shut out Royals  —  ARLINGTON  —  Cole Hamels looked to be in mid-season form and a three-run second inning was enough for the Rangers to beat the Royals 3-0 in an exhibition game Friday night at Globe Life Park.

In face of tragedy, Raul Mondesi seeks to honor memory of Yordano Ventura  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Out on the front sidewalk, a row of Royals Hall of Fame banners greet visitors here at the club's spring training complex.  They hang from the top of a two-story batting cage.

Rangers' extension with Odor completed  —  The Texas Rangers' contract extension with second baseman Rougned Odor has been completed, and the deal will be announced Thursday afternoon.  —  A baseball source said that the deal is for six year and $49.5 million, as previously reported …

AL East preview 2017: Boston Red Sox should have enough to win again  —  Let's get this straight.  The Red Sox spend $217 million for a No. 1 starter by signing David Price a year ago, then turn around and empty the farm system, Dave Dombrowski-style, for another No. 1, Chris Sale, over the winter.