Cardinals, former closer Motte set for a reunion  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The last closer to throw a World Series-clinching pitch for the Cardinals will rejoin team as soon as Monday with a chance to retrofit a rebooted bullpen.  —  Jason Motte agreed to terms with the Cardinals …

After a rough Yankee intro, Clint Frazier is ready for his second spring in pinstripes  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Clint Frazier's flowing, red mane - a fixation of last year's Yankees cap - is now history.  —  “I actually cut my hair once a week in the offseason, so I enjoy how it looks right now,” Frazier said.

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 …

White Sox's Lucas Giolito eager to build off fine finish of 2017  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Lucas Giolito was getting ready to head out of the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch to hit the links with some White Sox teammates when he was asked his golf handicap.  —  “I don't even have one,” Giolito said with a shrug.

Jason Heyward believes if he can stay healthy, his hitting will come along  —  Chicago Tribune  —  There are no points of emphasis at the plate this spring for the Cubs' Jason Heyward as he tries to elevate his offense to the level of his Gold Glove Award-winning defense in right field.

Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Alex Avila doesn't like the word “framing.”  To him, it has come to represent an oversimplification of his position, a foolish notion that a catcher's value can be tied entirely to his ability to steal a strike here or there.  He winces when he hears it.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Column: Cubs counting on veteran Jon Lester to return to ace-like form  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Jon Lester believes the term “ace” is simply a word the media uses to differentiate starters and that there's no difference in the rotation once the season begins.

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.

Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers and Triple-A Toledo have had a strong relationship for over 30 years.  —  And on Friday afternoon, the two teams announced they have extended their player development contract through the 2020 season.  The Mud Hens have been the Tigers' Triple …

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,” …

Twins agree to 1-year deal with RHP Anibal Sanchez  —  The Twins are still looking for an impact pitcher to boost the top of their starting rotation.  —  In the meantime, they decided to give the way-back machine a whirl with the signing of former Detroit Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez, pending a physical.

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.

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 …

Chris Tillman expected to choose team within next few days, could return to Orioles  —  A potential reunion between the Orioles and right-hander Chris Tillman is very much still alive as the team looks to continue to upgrade its rotation after the signing of former Texas Rangers starter Andrew Cashner.

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 …