Astros start workouts with an unfamiliar ring - as champions  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Amid the long tossing, sprinting and bullpen sessions that comprised Houston's first spring workout, the Astros also informally dedicated time to a balancing act.  —  Never in the Astros' previous 55 seasons …

Baseball's back!  Here's what Cubs and White Sox players did while they were away  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs and White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week after three-plus months of downtime.  —  Certainly, the players spent some of the offseason whipping themselves into the best shape of their lives.

After offseason ranching, Cueto back with new-look Giants  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Johnny Cueto's offseason included time tending to cows, chickens and goats on his 500-acre ranch back home in the Dominican Republic.  And it included a decision to stay with the San Francisco Giants rather …

Stewart agrees to $575,000, 1-year deal with Braves  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Catcher Chris Stewart has agreed to $575,000, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.  —  The 35-year-old hit .183 in 51 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.  He is a seven-year major league veteran.

Column: Joe Maddon melds baseball, art in surrealistic day at Cubs camp  —  Chicago Tribune  —  When asked last month to speculate on Joe Maddon's theme for the 2018 season, Ben Zobrist asked what his manager had been reading of late.  —  Informed Maddon had read Walter Issacson's best-selling biography …

Aaron Judge won't use injured shoulder as excuse for midseason slump  —  TAMPA, Fla. — For the first time, Aaron Judge admitted that the left shoulder he had arthroscopic surgery on in November started bothering him around the All-Star break last season — right about the time the New York …

First look: Japanese star Shohei Ohtani arrives at Angels camp  —  Shohei Ohtani's arrival at the Los Angeles Angels' spring training facility Tuesday consisted of a rush of media attention followed by a light toss.  —  Wednesday should offer fans a better look at the 23-year-old two-way player from Japan …

Reds open camp with only 1 open spot in the rotation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) The Reds opened camp on Wednesday with one unclaimed spot in the rotation, a major improvement over last year.  The question is whether their three veteran starters can make it to opening day without any setbacks.

‘Chuck’ Norris gets a kick out of joining Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Even though the Cardinals more or less evened the score with righthander Bud Norris as the years went on, the diehard fans won't forget the start of Norris' career with the Houston Astros.

Mets want Giants second baseman Joe Panik but aren't willing to trade Juan Lagares: source  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets covet Joe Panik. the team discussed dealing for the Giants' All-Star second baseman this winter, a front office source said.  The Giants need a center fielder and they …

Twins spring training brings rotation questions, openings  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) On the first day of spring training for the Minnesota Twins, it was difficult to watch the drills on the field without thinking about the potential starting pitchers who weren't there.

Diamondbacks on track to unveil humidor in 2018  —  Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields on Feb. 12, 2018.  David Wallace/azcentral sports  —  Chase Field's standing as one of baseball's most hitter-friendly ballparks is subject to change.

Dominic Smith leaves unhealthy diet behind as Mets' first baseman feels ‘more like an athlete’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom's shorter hair isn't the only startling difference you notice immediately among the Mets' players at spring training.  —  Dominic Smith was challenged …

The Royals are waiting on Eric Hosmer.  Here's their contingency plan at first base  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  At the front of the clubhouse here, a row of locker stalls that once belonged to stars has been re-assigned to younger players.  This is where Eric Hosmer made his home each spring …

Chris Gimenez marvels at Yu Darvish's mix of business and fun  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After taking a playful hit Tuesday from Yu Darvish, Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez replied quickly.  —  “I like Jon Lester,” Gimenez joked Wednesday in reference to Darvish's quip that he liked catcher Willson Contreras …