Two potential pitching bargains the Mets are interested in  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — As the Mets continue their search for potential rotation insurance, two veteran left-handers are steady on their radar.  —  Jason Vargas and Jaime Garcia, both of whom are still jobless in this historically …

Cincinnati Reds notes: Catcher Devin Mesoraco is a realist  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Every time Devin Mesoraco got hurt, there always was next year.  —  He had the security of the four-year, $28 million deal he signed with the Reds before the 2015 season.  Injuries claimed each of his first three seasons …

It would take a lot for Chad Green not to fill same relief role with Yankees this season  —  TAMPA — Chad Green is being stretched out as a starter for spring training.  —  But it seems like it would take a lot for the Yankees to remove him from his dominant middle relief role.

Phillies to scout Tim Lincecum on Thursday  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies already have one reclamation project in camp and will take a look at another on Thursday when they scout Tim Lincecum in Arizona.  —  The Phillies will be among at least 15 teams to attend the two-time Cy Young winner's showcase …

Toronto signs veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to 1-year deal  —  The Blue Jays have signed Jaime Garcia to a 1-year contract with a club option for 2019, the team announced Thursday.  —  The veteran lefty will make $8 million in base salary in 2018 and can earn an extra $2 million in incentives.

Day 2 sends Wainwright, most of rotation to the mounds  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • From the moment the schedule was pinned to the corkboard in the Cardinals' clubhouse, there was something different about it from previous years.  As detailed in Thursday's Post-Dispatch, there is a heavy Mike Maddux influence …

Indians taking ‘long view’ with Danny Salazar's shoulder recovery  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Indians pitcher Danny Salazar is unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season, another early blow to the team following the death of manager Terry Francona's father.

Kirk Gibson to throw out first pitch for Dodgers on opening day  —  The Dodgers were one victory last fall from preempting the following sentence: It has been 30 years since the Dodgers last won the World Series.  —  But a championship always is worth celebrating, and so the Dodgers announced Thursday …

Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker isn't sure if the new humidor at Chase Field will help him or not, but based on some of his results last season, it couldn't hurt.  —  Pitchers often say a baseball in a dry environment resembles a cue ball …

Ryon Healy has surgery on hand, out 4-6 weeks  —  Seattle Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right hand.  —  The Mariners made the announcement Thursday.  Healy had the surgery in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Salvador Perez, baseball's most durable catcher, has a goal: Better health  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  In the last five seasons, no catcher in Major League Baseball has started more games than the Royals' Salvador Perez.  No one has logged more innings or had more plate appearances or pulled on a catcher's mask more times.

Facing a brimming free agent pool at spring training's start, MLBPA boss decries owners' ‘excuses’  —  The Washington Post  —  Tony Clark never envisioned his annual tour of spring training camps beginning where it did this week: Inside the gates of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, at a camp without a name.

Stoneman Douglas assistant football coach Aaron Feis killed responding to shooting: ‘That is not firecrackers’  —  Sun Sentinel  —  Aaron Feis, an assistant football coach and security guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was among the 17 people shot and killed Wednesday at the Parkland high school.

Notes: Back in Brewers uniform, Yovani Gallardo looks forward to challenge of making club  —  PHOENIX - There aren't many familiar faces remaining from his first go-round with the Milwaukee Brewers, but Yovani Gallardo looked right at home as he suited up as No. 49 once again for the first spring workout at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Rob Manfred: Player input ‘significantly altered’ MLB's positions  —  Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said rule changes to help pace of play will be announced before spring training games begin.  —  Manfred did not specify what the new rules would be while addressing reporters …

Cubs' bullpen dancing among new Chicago-related features in ‘MLB The Show 18’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  If your digital Cubs bullpen can't do the Running Man, what's the point of even playing the video game?  —  Sony's team thought as much, and added the bullpen pitchers' signature dance moves …

‘Ready to erase’ last year, Duffy wants to be a role model for his Royals teammates  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Royals starter Danny Duffy stood at his locker Thursday morning and reminisced about the first time he found himself in this clubhouse located 45 minutes northwest of Phoenix.