MLB tells Judge recruiting Machado against rules  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Major League Baseball has told New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge his comments attempting to recruit Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado violate the sport's tampering rules, and Judge says he has learned the lesson.

Noah Syndergaard ‘super jacked’ to pitch Mets' opener  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard tried to put his second straight Opening Day start in perspective but let his emotion show.  —  “I'm super jacked for it,” he said Thursday.

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.

David Price looks good in spring training debut  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Making his first Grapefruit League start — and first start of any kind in a competitive environment since last July 22 — Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price gave up one hit and one walk in four innings Thursday …

Reds 10, Indians 6  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 10-6 in a “road” game before a crowd of 6,720 at Goodyear Ballpark.  —  The game in three paragraphs:  —Right-hander Tyler Mahle became the first Reds pitcher to go five innings this spring.  He allowed no runs on two hits.

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 …

Kyle Hendricks says Cubs players paying more attention to bargaining issues  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Thursday's meeting with the Major League Baseball Players Association captured as much attention as a Joe Maddon gimmick.  —  “I would say (players are paying) more attention (to issues) …

Column: White Sox may be in race to bottom, but fans don't seem too concerned  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the White Sox were working out Thursday at Camelback Ranch, players union head Tony Clark was on the other side of the valley discussing the “race to the bottom.”

Cubs say Wrigley Field upgrades remain on track for home opener  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Despite the tons of machinery parked on the playing surface and main concourse now, Wrigley Field will be ready for the Cubs' home opener April 9.  —  But fans hoping for an All-Star Game …

Camp report: Lefty Brent Suter scuffles with fielding and command vs. Texas  —  On the field: Left-hander Brent Suter had his roughest outing of the spring, allowing seven hits and four runs over four innings against Texas.  A couple of poor fielding plays on his part that made things tougher.

Rangers likely done with free agent market this spring  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers' expedition into the slow-moving free agent market appears to be over.  —  General manager Jon Daniels said Thursday he doesn't expect the team will pursue a free agent left fielder or a relief pitcher from the remaining pool of talent.

Spring training notebook (March 15): Martin Perez to start this weekend, other pitching injury updates  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Texas Rangers team medical director Dr. Keith Meister arrived in camp Thursday and assessed several injured pitchers.  —  The report: Left-hander Martin Perez …

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.

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.