Pitch clock, fewer mound visits might go ahead without MLBPA approval  —  Pace-of-game talks between Major League Baseball and the players' association have stalled, increasing the likelihood that baseball will unilaterally implement new rules in advance of the 2018 season, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

Next Slide  —  It was three years ago on Thursday when the biggest piece of the once star-studded Detroit Tigers' starting rotation left town.  —  On that night in early 2015, as rumors swirled that ace right-hander Max Scherzer had settled on a free-agent destination but a mystery team still was involved …

Rotation filled with potential excites Rangers newcomers  —  ARLINGTON  —  The clock to spring training is ticking and ticking loudly, especially for those many free agents who have yet to find employment for the upcoming season.  —  The wait is a cruel one, right-hander Doug Fister said, and he should know.

‘Baseball decisions’ prompt Phillies to wait on free-agent market, GM Matt Klentak says  —  BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There is less than a month until pitchers and catchers report in Florida and Arizona, and the National League is divided.  There are a handful of teams — Dodgers, Nationals, Cubs …

After coming out of left field as a rookie, Rhys Hoskins prepares for stardom — in left field  —  PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins took a trip to nirvana this winter.  He packed up and moved to San Diego, where a temperature reading in the 60s qualifies as sweater weather and only the occasional gust …

Sandy Alderson and Mets hoping continued patience will pay off again, just like it did with Jay Bruce  —  Patience paid off for the Mets with Jay Bruce.  The slow free agent market and Sandy Alderson's plan to wait resulted in the Mets getting a very good hitter, the player they had targeted, on a very team-friendly deal.

Eli Manning, Dave Gettleman had ‘great’ first meeting  —  Eli Manning and new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman recently had their much-anticipated meeting, The Post has learned, and what comes next likely will be an offshoot of what was discussed when the two were in the room together.

Odd man out?  Grichuk will keep 'fighting for a job, even if it's not possible'  —  It's easy to ascertain that there are three outfielders ahead of Randal Grichuk in the Cardinals' pecking order: newly acquired Marcell Ozuna, Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham.  This is not

Astros' World Series title a “childhood dream” for former Hooks  —  J.D. Davis went home to Sacramento in November, where the question he got most frequently was “Where's your ring?”  —  Davis, a former Hook who spent time with the Houston Astros last season, said the realization has somewhat set …

UFC Orlando main event set: Josh Emmett vs. Jeremy Stephens  —  Jeremy Stephens will face Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Feb. 24 at Amway Center, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.  —  The battle of top-10 featherweights was finalized Thursday, just four days …

Celebrities arrested in metro Phoenix … Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of driving in excess of 105 mph on Loop 101 in Tempe, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.  —  Tomas was arrested and booked on charges of criminal speeding and reckless driving, DPS said.