First baseman C.J. Cron acquired by Rays from Angels  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels and designated outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.  —  The 28-year-old Cron …

Reports: Hosmer, Padres agree to 8-year, $144 million deal  —  Free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has agreed to an eight-year, $144 million deal with the San Diego Padres, according to published reports Saturday night.  —  The 28-year-old, two-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .318 …

Detroit Tigers utility man Ronny Rodriguez excited for big league shot  —  Watch Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire observer players perform drills at first base on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 in Lakeland, Fla. Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Ask Ronny Rodriguez …

Rangers nix deal with closer Seung Hwan Oh  —  The Texas Rangers have decided not to sign closer Seung Hwan Oh, after an issue arose over his physical exam, according to multiple reports.  —  The Dallas Morning News reported that the Rangers discovered “disconcerting issues” with the right-hander's arm when examining his MRI results.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018 … Despite a high payroll and some serious star talent, the Rangers struggled on their way to a 78-84 record in 2017.  Texas will look to their star-laden roster for a turnaround in the upcoming season.  —  A pair of 24-year-olds make up the right side …

Carpenter, whose back is stiff, will work mostly at first base  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Matt Carpenter, programmed to play several positions this spring, will be spending most of his time defensively at first base when the Cardinals start their full-scale workouts on Monday.

Mets officially sign Jason Vargas to two-year contract  —  The Mets made their deal with Jason Vargas official Sunday morning, announcing their two-year deal with the left-hander.  —  Vargas' deal guarantees the southpaw $16 million over the two years, with a reported $8 million option year for 2020.

Indians sign Rajai Davis, who hit big HR for team in 2016 World Series  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent Rajai Davis to a minor league contract, bringing back the speedy outfielder who hit one of the biggest home runs in team history.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Spring Training 2018 … It was shaping up to be a boring offseason until the Brewers showed up on Jan. 25, single-handedly igniting a stove that had been only lukewarm.  —  In the same evening, the Brewers acquired free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain and traded …

Jacoby Ellsbury says he was never asked by Yankees to waive no-trade clause  —  TAMPA — While the Yankees have tried unsuccessfully to shop Jacoby Ellsbury this offseason, he says he was never asked by the team to waive his no-trade clause.  —  Ellsbury, with three years and $68 million left on his deal …

‘Babe Ruth of Japan’ already talks the talk of an MLB pitcher  —  TEMPE, Ariz. - Major league pitchers nowadays emerge from the womb, or at the very least arrive at the end of their minor-league apprenticeships, already knowing that the only proper answer to any question pertaining …

Drew Smyly happy to be part of Cubs' plans despite injury  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Left-hander Drew Smyly remains grateful the Cubs showed enough interest to sign him to a two-year contract four days after the Mariners elected not to tender him a contract while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Mickey Callaway maneuvers through his first Mets controversy, explains how group ran into Donald Trump Jr. while shark fishing  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Welcome to New York, Mickey.  The Mets' new manager is quickly learning that nothing is ever simple in Flushing.