MLB: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres reach agreement on eight-year deal  —  Free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has reached preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical, a person with direct knowledge of the deal says.

Former Ray Evan Longoria gives thumbs-down to team's Dickerson decision  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evan Longoria is in his first season as a San Francisco Giant after 10 years in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, but he still follows his old organization from a new league and the opposite coast.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson confident in roster after adding Jason Vargas  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New acquisition Jason Vargas arrived to camp Sunday, and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson expects the lefty will be the last roster addition.  —  “With Jason signing, we're pretty much where we want to be …

Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … If a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, seven-game World Series left you wanting more, get ready to settle into another beguiling baseball season.  —  Start it by seeing all that the Cactus League has in store.  —  Five of the past eight World Series champions …

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.

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.

Angels sign veteran sluggers Chris Carter, Chris Young  —  TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran slugger Chris Carter and longtime outfielder Chris Young.  —  Carter got a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Sunday, while Young agreed to a one-year contract.

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 …

Notes: After solid stint in winter ball, Junior Guerra out to show he's back in peak form  —  PHOENIX - Nothing has come easy in baseball for Junior Guerra, so it's not difficult to believe that one year after serving as the Milwaukee Brewers' opening day starter he is in a battle merely to make the club.

Red Sox re-sign Eduardo Nunez for infield insurance  —  Boston Red Sox have re-signed infielder Eduardo Nunez to a one-year contract with a player option for 2019, giving them another proven second baseman to fill in while  —  Dustin Pedroia recovers from knee surgery.

Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger plans to avoid a sophomore slump … Cody Bellinger slipped through the netting of a Camelback Ranch batting cage and gazed at a pitching machine.  Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward manned the contraption, which dolloped late spin onto each offering.

Phillies bet big on Tommy Hunter's cutter making him a reliable bullpen arm  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Spring training began last February and Tommy Hunter was without a team.  The reliever, after battling injuries the previous season, was jobless.  —  Tampa Bay invited the right-hander to camp …