Cubs GM: Giving second chance to Addison Russell ‘was the right thing to do’  —  CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs ownership on Thursday reasserted its stance that having suspended shortstop Addison Russell under contract for 2019 is not an endorsement of his having violated the league's domestic abuse policy …

Red Sox unlikely to spend big to sign closer, Dave Dombrowski says  —  While the New York Yankees made another move to strengthen their bullpen, Boston Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski said Thursday he didn't expect to spend a lot of money on a closer.  —  Dombrowski, speaking …

With an active offseason, Cincinnati Reds players happy to move on from rebuilding stage  —  Making a guest appearance on WLW's “Hot Stove League” on Wednesday night, one day before the team's annual caravan began, Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart didn't mince words about the last few seasons:

Hernandez's star was rising 40 years ago with Cards  —  In the past 50 years, only four Cardinals players have hit double figures in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases in the same season.  By the way, that would have been an impossibility in 2018 because the entire team didn't have double figures in triples (nine).

Why Mets making Cubs castoff Chili Davis hitting coach shouldn't cause alarm  —  Cubs president Theo Epstein didn't really want to fire Davis, according to multiple sources  —  Curious as to why the Mets hired a hitting coach, Chili Davis, who lasted all of one year with the Cubs?

If MLB Implements a Significant Rule Change in 2019, It Will Be a Pitch Clock  — Several potential rule changes were recently discussed between MLB and the players union, but a pitch clock remains the primary focus.  —  No proposed rules change would improve baseball's pace of action issue …

White Sox to televise six spring training games  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox will televise six spring training games, the team announced Thursday.  —  Five of those games will be carried by NBC Sports Chicago and one by WGN-Ch. 9.  In addition, 11 game webcasts will be shown on the team's website.

Rays add former Jays reliever Luis Santos on minor-league deal  —  Santos pitched in 15 games last season for the Jays, posting a 1-1, 7.20 record.  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays have added former Toronto reliever Luis Santos to their spring roster on a minor-league deal.