Aaron Judge: I won't be a one-hit wonder  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Here's a story Brett Gardner told about Aaron Judge, providing a glimpse into the mindset of the AL's reigning Rookie of the Year:  —  On a recent afternoon at Yankees camp, Judge and Gardner were standing alone, after running the infamous …

Cards' Flaherty fans eight in 5 innings, allows one run against Orioles  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Do the Cardinals have five starters better than Jack Flaherty?  Do they have 13 pitchers better than Jack Flaherty?  Or even 12?  —  The answer very likely is “no,” but if Flaherty does …

Actor Jim Caviezel stands in for Royals coach in team spring training photo  —  The passion of Dale Sveum.  —  Actor Jim Caviezel stood in for the Royals hitting coach in a team photo Wednesday when Sveum missed the shoot because of a medical appointment.  —  Royals manager Ned Yost …

Justin Verlander: ‘(Bleep) you’ to ex-Tiger caught beating girlfriend  —  Former Detroit Tigers minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez was released by the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League after video surfaced of him beating his fiancée.

White Sox's Avisail Garcia on being yanked from Cactus League game: ‘I always understand Ricky’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Under manager Rick Renteria, the White Sox pride themselves on hustling and not quitting no matter the score or circumstances.  —  That's why when Renteria yanked Avisail Garcia …

Former Cincinnati Reds No. 1 pick Phillip Ervin has a shot as the fifth outfielder  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Phillip Ervin has a decent shot at making the Reds as a fifth outfielder this spring.  —  That would be significant progress for Ervin.  But he doesn't want his progression as a player to end there.

Pillar feels urgency for Blue Jays to produce early after slow start to 2017  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — With a long winter to digest the nightmare of 2017, Kevin Pillar now feels there is a need to atone.  —  He is talking about it while looking at the baby green monster out in left field at Jetblue Park …

John Skipper Details His ESPN Exit and a Cocaine Extortion Plot  —  The former network chief goes public in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the real reason behind his abrupt departure from Disney after 27 years, a confession to Bob Iger and his hope to work in sports media again.

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … CONNECT  —  Torey Lovullo wouldn't come out and say it, but the Diamondbacks manager seemed to suggest that right-hander Zack Greinke is no longer on target to start on Opening Day.  —  Lovullo said Greinke, who departed his start on Wednesday …

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp wants a second chance and is making his case to stay  —  Camp breaks in a little more than a week and Matt Kemp is still here, which at one time felt about as likely as the Dodgers reappearing on television or Stan Kasten developing a sense of humility.

Albert Almora Jr. to bat leadoff for Cubs vs. Diamondbacks  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With opening day two weeks away, expect Cubs manager Joe Maddon to take a closer look at potential lineups.  —  Albert Almora Jr. will bat leadoff Thursday against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray in a 3:05 p.m. game at Sloan Park.

Orioles notes: Mark Trumbo out a minimum 3-4 weeks after MRI reveals Grade 2 quad strain  —  Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo will be out a minimum of three to four weeks after an MRI on Thursday morning revealed a Grade 2 strain in his right quad, manager Buck Showalter said Thursday.

Cubs To Release Justin Grimm  —  The Cubs have released right-handed reliever Justin Grimm, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago (Twitter link).  Grimm had previously lost an arbitration hearing against the Cubs, resulting in a $2.2MM salary for the upcoming season.