Mets set to use Jeurys Familia as primary closer in his walk year  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jeurys Familia just couldn't bring himself to watch the Mets each night while he rehabbed from surgery last year.  It would have been too painful.  —  He yearned to be out there manning the ninth inning …

Cardinals' Daniel Poncedeleon continues comeback, returned to mound Sunday  —  The box score shows that Daniel Poncedeleon pitched two innings of three-hit, one-run ball for the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday against the Houston Astros.  —  The box score doesn't begin to tell the story …

Kevin Towers remembered for his love of baseball and people  —  Theo Epstein remembered when he first met Kevin Towers, as a 21-year-old intern working in the San Diego Padres public relations department.  Towers was the new general manager.  —  “I was just out of college,” said Epstein …

Michael Kopech focused on expanding repertoire in quest to become White Sox starter  —  Chicago Tribune  —  This much we know: Michael Kopech can throw a baseball very fast.  —  The right-hander hits 100 mph on the radar gun with regularity and is sure to unleash his blazing fastball …

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Following a season in which he performed like one of the best and most dominant starters in baseball, Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray isn't hoping to repeat his success.  He's looking to build on it.  —  “That was just kind of the floor,” Ray said.

After allowing HR, Giants' Madison Bumgarner sharp in spring debut  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first man to bat against San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner Sunday hit a wind-aided, opposite-field home run.  Bumgarner was overpowering after that in his spring training debut against the Chicago Cubs …

Former Cubs great Rick Sutcliffe understands 200-inning debate  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As a former workhorse pitcher, Rick Sutcliffe can vividly recall his desire to pitch at least 200 innings a season, as Cubs ace Jon Lester and his fellow starters continue to push for.

Next Slide  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Artie Lewicki hit the proverbial wall.  —  He was cruising through the Pittsburgh Pirates' order early in Sunday's Grapefruit League game at Joker Marchant Stadium when the early spring workload and unusually hot weather caught up with him.  Likely a little bit of adrenaline, too.

ST Daily: Lo-Mo to Minnesota  —  Vacation is over.  It's back to the grind for Logan Morrison.  —  Morrison's period of fun-employment ended Sunday when the 30-year-old put his John Hancock on a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Minnesota.  The contract includes a vesting option for 2019 …

For starters: Rays vs. Blue Jays, with Cron swinging, Archer flinging  —  After their annual meeting with players union chief Tony Clark and other officials - and with probably more to talk about than usual - this morning, the Rays will host the Blue Jays at 1:

Red Sox, J.D. Martinez contract signing delayed by language  —  The Red Sox are apparently still tweaking the language in J.D. Martinez's contract and are not worried about the slugger's current physical condition.  —  Since news broke last week that the two sides had reached …

Tim Tebow sprains ankle after running over sprinkler head  —  Tim Tebow is nursing a left-ankle sprain after running over a sprinkler head in the outfield at the New York Mets' spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  —  The former Florida quarterback, one of 15 non-roster invitees …

Marlins' Braxton Lee, a sometimes-forgotten outfield prospect, has always been an underdog  —  Braxton Lee is an underdog.  He knows he is an underdog.  He has always been an underdog.  —  But now, as a 24-year-old center fielder in his first major league spring training, Lee is an underdog on the cusp of making it to the bigs.

MLB free agent news: Twins sign Logan Morrison after 38-home run season  —  The Twins signed Logan Morrison to a one-year contract Sunday, with a vesting option for a second year, according to Fox Sports.  —  Morrison will make $6 million in 2018, with a possible vesting option driving …

Joe Maddon sees early signs of Cubs defense getting back to 2016 form  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After the Cubs regressed on defense last season, manager Joe Maddon has noticed a refreshed approach in spring training resembling the sharpness of 2016.  —  “On any given day …

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw retires 3 Mariners as Seager brothers battle for 1st time  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw's spring debut was quick and efficient.  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers ace retired the Seattle Mariners' first three hitters on 11 pitches on Sunday.

From ‘Integrity Fees’ To Controlling What To Bet On, MLB's Framework For Legalized Sports Betting  —  For decades, Major League Baseball has taken betting on its games as one of it's most serious matters.  The 1919 “Black Sox” scandal in which eight players were involved in one manner …