Surprise: Padres emerge as latest team connected to Bryce Harper  —  The Washington Post  —  Bryce Harper will meet with the San Diego Padres and representatives of their ownership group on Thursday, according to multiple reports, adding a surprise team to a free agency sweepstakes that's been oddly quiet given its preceding hype.

How media covered Jackie Robinson's Debut  —  Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier.  —  How some media covered Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Angels' Ohtani progressing, won't be ready for opening day  —  AL Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani has been medically cleared to resume full strength training on his right arm following Tommy John surgery, although he will not be ready to hit for the Los Angeles Angels by opening day.

Why does Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig lick his bats?  Allow him to explain.  —  Standing in front of more than 40 boys and girls at the Reds' urban youth academy Wednesday, Yasiel Puig took questions from the kids about what sports he played growing up, whether he tried Skyline chili and what did he want to do in Cincinnati.

Greg Holland to compete for Arizona Diamondbacks' closer's job  —  (Photo: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)  —  Reliever Greg Holland signed as a free agent so late last year that he missed all of spring training.  He doesn't think it's a coincidence he struggled to start the season.

Batters up: Taylor-Nats, Correa-Astros as arbitration opens  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Houston shortstop Carlos Correa and Washington outfielder Michael A. Taylor became the first players of the year to go to salary arbitration hearings.  —  Correa asked for a raise from $1 million to $5 million …

Carl Willis marvels ‘every day’ at Indians' embarrassment of riches in pitching rotation  —  Pitching coach Carl Willis marvels ‘every day’ at the Cleveland Indians' embarrassment of riches in the starting rotation.  —  CLEVELAND — Pitching coach Carl Willis marvels at the Cleveland Indians' embarrassment …

Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming to stay, agrees to 4-year deal  —  Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming promised he would not fly the coop to become a national star, and he has kept his word.  —  Flemming said Thursday that he and the Giants have agreed to a four-year contract that will keep …

Veteran Mark Reynolds Could Add Power To The Rockies' Bench  —  Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.  — Share to facebook  — Share to twitter  — Share to linkedin  —  Mark Reynolds once again could be prolonging his career with the Colorado Rockies …

Ex-Rockies GM — who would know — loves this Yankees offseason … While the Yankees have so far sat out the chase for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, general manager Brian Cashman has made no shortage of moves — several of them involving former Rockies.  —  First, the Yankees signed Troy Tulowitzki …