Tigers' Ron Gardenhire blasts pitchers' lazy play: ‘Not acceptable’  —  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

Noah Syndergaard goes seven innings deep, impresses in likely final Grapefruit League start  —  SARASOTA — Noah Syndergaard was almost too efficient Sunday.  The Mets' big righthander had to go seven innings against the Orioles to get his work in, in what was likely his last Grapefruit League start.

Cardinals option catcher Kelly, pitcher Flaherty and four others  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals optioned six players to Class AAA Memphis after Sunday afternoon's 10-0 Grapefruit League win against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.  —  The most notable names were catcher Carson Kelly and pitcher Jack Flaherty.

Signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado  —  Since Aaron Judge brought it up...  Just kidding.  I have to admit I was rather stunned that Judge shared with reporters his “You'd-look-good-in-pinstripes” line to Manny Machado last week, considering how carefully he measures his every word.

Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco suspended 80 games for steroids  —  With aspirations of returning to the postseason, the Minnesota Twins were hit with a devastating blow just weeks before opening day.  —  Starting shortstop Jorge Polanco, who had a breakout second half of the season in 2017 …

Cincinnati Reds hope Plan A at short (Jose Peraza) works  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds seem to have Plan B, C and D for shortstop.  —  But the best thing for the future and 2018 is for Plan A to work.  That is for Jose Peraza to play virtually every day and play well.

Column: Controversy-free spring was just what the White Sox needed  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Back in Sarasota, Fla., during the spring of 1996, White Sox camp was roiled early by the disappearance of Tony Phillips, who had signed as a free-agent over the winter.

Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm signs $1.25M deal with Royals  —  The Royals signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a $1.25 million, one-year deal Sunday that includes up to $300,000 incentives after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week.  —  The 29-year-old Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances last season.

Luis Severino continues to prep for Opening Day start, Estevan Florial reassigned to minor-league camp  —  TAMPA - After the Yankees informed Luis Severino he'd be starting on Opening Day, the 24-year-old righty called his mother right away.  —  “It's something to celebrate,” Severino said on Sunday.

Rays option Banda, Stanek to Triple-A in reducing spring roster to 36  —  The Rays narrowed the field for jobs in their eight-man bullpen, optioning newly acquired LHP Anthony Banda and hard-throwing RHP Ryne Stanek to Triple-A.  —  Those moves were part of a hefty Sunday morning cut …

Giancarlo Stanton beginning to feel comfortable in left field and Yankees' clubhouse as Opening Day nears  —  TAMPA — Ex-Marlin Giancarlo Stanton went into the visitors' dugout prior to Sunday's game and said hello to his former manager, Don Mattingly.  —  Stanton appeared to be in much better spirits …

While Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar failed to win jobs this spring, their opportunity with Yankees isn't far away  —  TAMPA — After an exciting start, Miguel Andujar's upset bid for the starting job at third base came up short.  —  And so now we wait for Andujar to finish off …

Cubs' Joe Maddon willing to give Loyola a lift  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon hasn't watched the NCAA tournament closely, but he's aware of Loyola's recent success.  —  When Maddon learned that this was Loyola's first appearance in the tournament since 1985 …

Final-week quandary for Rangers: What do with Colon?  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  All Saturday afternoon's game was, in the mind of the Texas Rangers and their Game 1 starting pitcher, was another Cactus League contest.  —  Bartolo Colon has been better than he was against the Kansas City Royals …

Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has broken right hand  —  New York Mets left-hander Jason Vargas has a broken bone in his non-pitching hand and will visit a specialist later Sunday, the team announced.  —  Vargas suffered a non-displaced fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand Saturday …