Phillies want Nick Pivetta to pitch like Justin Verlander  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Phillies asked each pitcher to try something new this spring.  Throw your change-up to lefthanders or rely on your slider more.  For Nick Pivetta, it was simple: elevate your fastball.

As a sign of the times, Cardinals shifting signals, breaking habits  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.  • As the first inning of his first spring start went sideways this afternoon for Carlos Martinez, the Cardinals starter hit one batter, walked two batters, needed 31 pitches to get three outs …

Reds Sign Oliver Perez To Minor-League Deal  —  11:17am: Sheldon tweets that Perez will earn $1.25MM if he makes the MLB roster, and has $500K available performance bonuses.  He'll be able to opt out of the contract at the end of camp if he isn't added to the roster by then.

Zack Wheeler could fit the Chad Green mold in Mets bullpen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Jeurys Familia, 16 pounds lighter than last year, was pounding away on the stationary bike Friday night at the local LA Fitness when he spotted me and waved me over.  —  “You see (Zack) Wheeler today?” he asked.

Rays prospect Brent Honeywell to have Tommy John surgery  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Brent Honeywell, the top pitching prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm and will have Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

Kevin Siegrist agrees to minor league deal with Pirates  —  BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Left-hander Kevin Siegrist agreed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will report to big league spring training.  —  The 28-year-old was 1-1 with one save and a 4.81 ERA in 46 games …

In afternoon drive war, Aaron Boone's non-exclusive WFAN deal gives ESPN radio an opening  —  When it comes to this battle for local sportstalk supremacy, everyone is a potential soldier.  —  Even Aaron Boone.  —  When WFAN's new afternoon crew revealed the Yankees rookie manager …

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … It's a good thing the folks from Rawlings stopped by Salt River Fields the other day to measure many of the Arizona Diamondbacks position players for new baseball gloves.  —  Chris Owings is going to need three different styles and sizes, thank you very much.

Mets legend Mike Piazza visits camp, doesn't rule out owning MLB team in future  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For now, Mike Piazza has no ambitions to join Derek Jeter in the ranks of former MLB legends owning an MLB team.  The Hall of Famer currently has his hands full as a majority owner of AC Reggiana …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani has mixed spring training debut as a pitcher  —  SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs.  Recent history suggests otherwise.  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  TEMPE, Ariz. -Shohei Ohtani's much-anticipated spring debut Saturday featured …

Cincinnati Reds new executive Buddy Bell: An old-school numbers guy  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — In the great old-school scouting versus new-school analytics, Buddy Bell would seem to fall solidly on the old-school side.  —  He's the middle generation of a three-generation baseball family.  He played.

Mariners morning notes: Mitch Haniger's hand is hurting, Daniel Vogelbach in a walking boot  —  Haniger won't take batting practice or play in Cactus League games for next few days.  Vogelbach will get more tests on the swollen foot.  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Two days into Cactus League play …

Alex Cora ‘not concerned’ Red Sox deal with J.D. Martinez not yet done  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have still yet to finalize their contract with prized free agent J.D. Martinez.  —  Manager Alex Cora said after Boston's Grapefruit League exhibition opener against Minnesota …

Today's Phillies lineup, three things, and how to watch  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Rhys Hoskins and Carlos Santana will make their spring-training debuts on Saturday as the Phillies host the Orioles at Spectrum Field.  —  The game, which begins at 1:05 p.m., will be broadcasted by NBC Sports Philadelphia and WIP-FM.

Alford anxious to prove his worth in the bigs  —  DUNEDIN - Anthony Alford is the third-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, and 47th on the 2018 Top 100 MLB prospects list.  —  With that and $5.75, you can buy a pretzel at Dunedin Stadium.  —  The laid-back outfielder appears …

The truth about the Tampa Bay Rays' reset  —  The Tampa Bay Rays are not going to be very good this year.  —  We already knew that.  —  They have gutted a team that won 80 games last season.  Among those sent packing: Evan Longoria, Corey Dickerson, Jake Odorizzi and team MVP Steven Souza Jr.