Mickey Callaway says Mets lefty Steven Matz showed ‘conviction’ in dominant outing against Astros  —  WEST PALM BEACH — Steven Matz is a believer — finally.  The Mets lefty showed “conviction” Monday as he struck out nine in six innings of work against the Astros at the Ballpark of the palm Beaches.

Jose Altuve finalizes 7-year, $163.5M deal with Astros  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — AL MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros have finalized a $163.5 million, seven-year contract that guarantees an additional $151 million over five seasons.

Detroit Tigers plug Clermont's Shane Greene into closer's role  —  Coming off reconstructive elbow surgery after his only season at the University of West Florida, Shane Greene was a man without a team.  —  The Clermont resident had lost his scholarship.  He had transferred …

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: SATURDAY, MAY 26 - MONDAY, MAY 28  —  MLB's annual league-wide observance of Memorial Day will honor those who lost their lives while serving their country.  MLB again plans to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance through which ballparks on Memorial …

Nationals' treasure: Victor Robles is key to the future, with or without Bryce Harper  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Back in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman was the first-ever draft pick of the newly minted Washington Nationals, an All-American from neighboring Virginia expected to steer the franchise through …

Jacoby Ellsbury expected to begin season on disabled list for Yankees  —  TAMPA — Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to start the season on the disabled list, according to Aaron Boone.  —  Ellsbury (oblique) was supposed to take simulated at-bats on Monday and get a couple ABs in Lakeland against the Tigers Tuesday.

A baseball scout and his hotel room: A love story spanning four decades  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - This eclectic 194-room hotel in Old Town has purple carpet, pink doors, and yellow and orange walls.  —  It has changed names nine times.  —  It has even changed addresses without moving.

ST Daily: Polanco Gets Popped  —  The Twins made an unexpected run to the Wild Card Game last fall, fueled in part by a torrid final two months of the season from Jorge Polanco.  The shortstop batted .316/.377/.553 from the beginning of August until the end of the regular season …

Zack Greinke, with groin tightness, won't start Diamondbacks' opener  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo says Zack Greinke won't be the team's opening-day starter.  —  Lovullo, speaking before Monday's spring training game against the Chicago White Sox …

Analysis: Shohei Ohtani's spring struggles underscore the difficult path to two-way success in MLB  —  The Washington Post  —  Shohei Ohtani's arrival in Major League Baseball this winter was met with so much hype, anticipation and historic recalibration — he is seeking to become the first full-time …

Craig Kimbrel: Infant daughter's heart surgery ‘toughest thing’ his family has been through  —  With his infant daughter's condition improving following heart surgery, Craig Kimbrel rejoined the Boston Red Sox on Monday, threw live batting practice and declared he will be ready for Opening Day next week.

Milwaukee Brewers recreate ‘Sandlot’ scene  —  The Milwaukee Brewers posted a video of its players re-enacting a scene from The Sandlot.  —  Milwaukee published the footage to its social media accounts on Sunday night.  —  “There's heroes and there's legends,” the Brewers wrote as a caption on the video.

NL East Notes: Nationals, Murphy, Phillies, Rupp  —  There is “virtually no chance” Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy will be ready for Opening Day, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com writes.  Murphy, who's working his way back from the microfracture knee surgery he underwent last October …

Healthy Devon Travis could help breathe life into Blue Jays  —  DUNEDIN — Devon Travis is growing weary of being what he calls “a professional rehabber.”  —  He's tired of putting on a uniform and sitting in a dugout watching teammates he'd much prefer to be helping rather than simply cheering on, frustrated and helpless.

Manny Machado finds comfort at shortstop as he prepares for his next big move  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — If Manny Machado were any more comfortable in spring training, he'd be carrying a hammock out to the field with him.  —  Six years after his last full-time exposure to playing shortstop …

Report: Clay Buchholz reaches agreement with Royals on minor league deal  —  The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a minor league deal with free agent right-hander Clay Buchholz, USA Today Sports reports.  —  The deal reportedly would pay Buchholz $1.5 million, with $250,000 in incentives, if he is added to the major league roster.