Manfred: No DH or draft changes likely for 2019  —  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Don't look for a National League designated hitter this year or for new anti-tanking rules in June's amateur draft.  —  Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday that management is focused on pace-of-game changes …

Giants' Farhan Zaidi says ‘mutual interest’ led to Bryce Harper meeting  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Bryce Harper's meeting with the Giants in Las Vegas this week was the product of “mutual interest on both sides,” new San Francisco baseball operations chief Farhan Zaidi said Friday.

Yankees Spring Training Preview: Biggest questions as Bombers try to chase down Red Sox  —  The Yankees won 100 games last year.  They won the American League wild-card game.  The Bombers also had the misfortune of being in the division with the best team in baseball in 2018.

Mets sign Danny Espinosa to minor league deal  —  NEW YORK — Danny Espinosa and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  —  The veteran switch-hitter gives the Mets even more depth in a crowded infield.  He could be a backup option at shortstop behind Amed Rosario.

Ryan Tepera, Kyle Barraclough lose salary arbitration cases  —  Relievers Ryan Tepera of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kyle Barraclough of the Washington Nationals lost their salary arbitration cases Friday.  —  Tepera was awarded a $1,525,000 salary Friday rather than his request for $1.8 million.

Indians sign OF Joyce to minor-league deal  —  Outfielder Matt Joyce announced on Friday he has signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians.  —  Joyce, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics.  He announced the agreement on Twitter and will receive an invite to spring training with the Indians.

Indians SS Francisco Lindor out 7-9 weeks with calf strain  —  Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to miss 7-9 weeks with a right calf strain.  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor will get a later start to the 2019 season than either him or the club wanted.

Mets-Nationals or Cubs-Cardinals set for London in 2020  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Major League Baseball is considering one of two matchups for its 2020 series in London: New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals or Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Two people familiar with the discussions told …

No thank you, Mr. Pecker  —  Something unusual happened to me yesterday.  Actually, for me it wasn't just unusual—it was a first.  I was made an offer I couldn't refuse.  Or at least that's what the top people at the National Enquirer thought.  I'm glad they thought that, because it emboldened them to put it all in writing.

Yordano Ventura's guaranteed contract still not paid two years after death; estate is broke  —  Two years after Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died in a single-car crash in his native Dominican Republic, the $20.25 million remaining on his contract has not been paid.  —  And his estate is broke.

All eyes on GM Mike Hazen as Arizona Diamondbacks spring training nears  —  The reaction from John Hazen's elementary school classmate was one of disbelief.  —  “It was just like, ‘Your dad traded Paul Goldschmidt?’”  Mike Hazen recounted.  —  Hazen did not enjoy the telling of the story …

We now know Charlie Culberson's new jersey number, and some others  —  Braves infielder/outfielder Charlie Culberson will wear No. 8 on the back of his uniform this season.  —  Culberson already had said he would relinquish the No. 16 to Brian McCann, who wore than number when he played …

The Marlins' trade strategy on Realmuto; baseball's staring contest; Moose and Milwaukee?; more notes  —  The Marlins do not deny it.  Their early “asks” for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto were high.  —  From the Dodgers, Miami wanted first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger.