Francisco Lindor's new look channels motivation to take Indians further this season  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Francisco Lindor arrived at Cleveland Indians' spring training camp Friday with a new look and a determined attitude.  —  Lindor generated lots of smiles and stares when he walked …

Dan Straily, Brandon Maurer lose in salary arbitration  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Dan Straily of Miami and Brandon Maurer of Kansas City have lost their salary arbitration cases, leaving players with an 11-10 lead with one decision remaining.  —  Straily was awarded $3,375,000 Friday instead …

Anthony Rizzo makes Joe Maddon and Jason Heyward proud  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jason Heyward initially didn't realize Anthony Rizzo left spring training suddenly to help his Parkland, Fla., community heal from a mass shooting Wednesday.  —  But Heyward and manager Joe Maddon were proud of the way Rizzo represented his community.

Wick claimed off waivers by San Diego, leaves Cardinals camp  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • In order to make room for Bud Norris on the 40-man roster and clear a way for the righthander to join the team for spring training, the Cardinals risked losing power reliever Rowan Wick, and did.

Michael Lorenzen is taking his rotation shot seriously  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When it comes to making the starting rotation, the odds could be stacked against Michael Lorenzen.  Not that he's concerned.  —  When Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price broke down his rotation competition earlier in the week …

Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … The Diamondbacks welcomed a familiar face back into their clubhouse on Friday morning.  Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa surprised teammates at the facility around 8:15 a.m., and about an hour later, the club announced it had signed him to a minor-league deal.

Welington Castillo plays ‘getting to know you’ refrain with White Sox  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Working with a new group of pitchers presents challenges that Welington Castillo has overcome previously during his eight seasons in the major leagues.  —  The White Sox are Castillo's fifth team since …

Spring training is nearly six weeks long.  Does it need to be?  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  One winter, Ned Yost worked for a timber management company, navigating and cataloging 500 acres of terrain.  In three others, he unloaded 18-wheeler trucks for $14 per hour.  Good money.

Here's what the Giants thought of Tim Lincecum's bullpen session  —  After taking a full season off, the former Giants' ace is making a comeback bid  —  SCOTTSDALE, Arizona-The Giants are fond of offering second chances, and on Thursday, the club scouted a bullpen session of another fan favorite attempting to make a comeback.

Mets, All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agree to $16 million, 2-year deal  —  Turns out, the New York Mets were ready and willing to spend this winter.  More than just a few bucks, too.  —  All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas and the Mets agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract Friday …

Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — He certainly isn't here to fill Justin Verlander's shoes.  —  No single player in the Detroit Tigers' projected starting rotation this spring could do such a thing.  But right-hander Mike Fiers - the pitcher who was removed from the Astros' eventual World …

After healthy offseason, Albert Pujols expected to play more in field  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Albert Pujols is slim, trim and ready to dust off his first-baseman's mitt.  —  The 38-year-old former MVP is looking to reverse a downward-trending career, in part by contributing more in the field now that he has shaken off injuries.

Marcus Stroman angry at Blue Jays over negativity in arbitration  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman met with Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Friday, a day after the 26-year old right-hander's salary arbitration loss triggered him to vent on Twitter.

David Freese thinks Pirates not trying hard enough to win  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — David Freese thinks the Pittsburgh Pirates are not trying hard enough to win.  —  “The last two years, we didn't do as well as we could have because of our environment.  That's what I think,” …

Edinson Volquez returns to Rangers on minor league deal  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Edinson Volquez has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, returning to his original team with a chance to be a candidate for the rotation in 2019.  —  The 34-year-old right-hander will not pitch …

Red Sox's Hanley Ramirez wants ‘100 RBIs and 30 homers’ in 2018  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hanley Ramirez has a solution for the Boston Red Sox's power-hitting deficiency.  —  A healthy Hanley Ramirez.  —  “Oh, yeah.  No doubt,” Ramirez said Friday after reporting to spring training.