Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … For anyone following the Diamondbacks' farm system in recent years, Tuesday's three-team deal came with some sticker shock.  Brandon Drury has been touted for years as an impact bat, Anthony Banda as a future rotation piece.  Both were shipped out.

Detroit Tigers' prospects give glimpse of future at spring training  —  The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice.  First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too.  Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit

ST Daily: Rays Go Gomez  —  Follow @djshort and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter.  —  It has been a dizzying few days for the Rays.  Well, for their fans, mostly.  The flurry of moves began on Saturday night when the Rays acquired C.J. Cron from the Angels before designating 2017 All-Star Corey Dickerson …

Remember 2016?  These Cubs could be just as good  —  MESA, Ariz. — Steve Cishek took the mound for his first live batting practice session with his new team earlier this week.  As the reliever stood on the mound against the Chicago Cubs' A-list of hitters — a former MVP (Kris Bryant) …

Yankees believe Brandon Drury has the potential to be a superstar  —  TAMPA — Brandon Drury's numbers don't jump off the page in a way that would tell you he's The Next Big Thing, yet the Yankees have been trying to pry him away from the Diamondbacks for years, convinced he has star potential.

Indians, reliever Carlos Torres agree to minor league deal  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent reliever Carlos Torres, who could fill a bullpen opening.  —  Torres pitched in 67 games last season for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Colby Rasmus returns to baseball, signs with Orioles  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Outfielder Colby Rasmus has decided to return to baseball after walking away last summer, and has signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.  —  Rasmus was in camp Wednesday to finish up his physical.

Rangers notebook: Why you should expect to see even less of Texas' starters in spring games this week  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Though the spring training schedule starts Saturday, Rangers starting position players may be hard to find on the field in the first week of games.

Rooting for laundry isn't a joke — it's why baseball works  —  It's New Clothes Week.  Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria and Giancarlo Stanton, all traded this winter, showed up to spring training for their new clothes.  J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer and Yu Darvish, just days …

A's will open 2019 season in Tokyo against Seattle  —  MESA, Ariz. — For the third time in 12 years, the A's will play their season open in Japan in 2019, The Chronicle has learned.  —  The Japan opener has yet to be officially announced, but according to league and team sources Oakland …

Yankees send Jabari Blash to the Angels  —  A day after bolstering the infield with the acquisition of Brandon Drury, the Yankees made another trade on Wednesday.  —  The team announced that it sent outfielder Jabari Blash to the Angels for cash considerations and a player to be named later.

Pitcher Matt Purke in battle for NY Mets rotation spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Matt Purke had about eight to nine offers to choose from this offseason.  After talking with Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and manager Mickey Callaway, the lefty decided the Mets were the best fit for him.

Marty Brennaman's 2018 Reds Preview  —  And this one belongs to Marty!  I recently heard Reds radio voice Marty Brennaman give his overview of the 2018 Reds, and I thought Reds fans would want to read it.  —  Brennaman spoke to the Joe Nuxhall Chapter of the Reds Hall Of Fame and Museum in Hamilton.

Cubs set to pace themselves this spring  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Fans might not get to see their star players during the first week of the exhibition season, but slugger Anthony Rizzo doesn't mind that the Cubs start playing games after only four full-squad workouts.

Better plate discipline could lead to as many as 600 appearances for Javier Baez  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The chances of Javier Baez getting as many as 600 plate appearances in 2018 will improve if Ben Zobrist needs more rest.  —  But perhaps a bigger factor will be if Baez can become a more polished hitter.

Spring is in the air as games start today  —  After a week of players stretching, doing mundane drills and practicing practice, spring training moves to the next phase today with the start of exhibition games.Ah, baseball in the sunshine.Conside

What if the Rays actually have a good plan?  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Going against popular opinion, here's an odd thought to ponder:  —  What if the Rays actually know what they're doing?  —  The deal agreed to Wednesday afternoon with veteran outfielder Carlos Gomez …

Cards' Voit slims down, hopes for work in left field  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Burly Cardinals first baseman Luke Voit is much more streamlined this spring, having lost some 15 pounds from 260, which he weighed in his first big-league season as he hit .246 with four homers and nine doubles in 114 at-bats.