Updates from Cubs spring training: Newcomer Brad Brach shares ‘stressful’ free-agent experience, life with Manny Machado  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs pitchers and catchers are going through their third workout of spring training Friday.  Check back for more updates from Sloan Park.

Nationals' Scherzer, Astros' Verlander concerned about game  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Two more aces are expressing concern about how major league teams are playing their cards.  —  Washington right-hander Max Scherzer said Thursday there are too many teams trying not to win, and all the rebuilding “poisons the game.”

How Dodgers' clubhouse embodies baseball's free agency concerns  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — A.J. Pollock ventured into the free-agent market with no expectations.  —  What he experienced, as time went on, alarmed him nonetheless.  —  “It was kind of a weird process, something I've never gone through before,” he said.

Tommy ‘T-bone’ Giordano, longtime MLB scout and executive, dies at 93  —  Tommy Giordano, a longtime scout who played only 11 games in the major leagues but spent more than seven decades in a variety of baseball roles, died Thursday.  He was 93.  —  Known affectionately as “T-bone,” …

Jacob DeGrom not sure if Mets' offer will come before Opening Day  —  Just a few hours after NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom threw his first practice pitch of spring training, he let everyone know the score.  —  He hasn't received a long-term contract offer from the New York Mets and isn't sure he will before Opening Day.

Slimmer Cecil hopes to atone for bad year  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • To embattled Cardinals reliever Brett Cecil, the 2018 season “felt like a year-long stomping.  —  “It got to the point where I didn't even want to pitch because I didn't want to do bad,” said the 32-year-old lefthander.

Arbitration off: Yankees, Severino reach deal  —  New York Yankees were expected to go to an arbitration hearing today, but it's been called off.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the sides have reached an agreement on a multi-year deal.  The details: four years and $40 million with an option for a fifth year.

Coming off division title, Atlanta Braves arrive for final spring training at Disney  —  Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna was selected as the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year.  (John Bazemore/Associated Press)  —  The Atlanta Braves are back.  —  But not for long.

Jose Urena named Marlins' Opening Day starter again  —  Jose Urena is getting a second chance for a first impression as the Miami Marlins' Opening Day starter, manager Don Mattingly announced Thursday.  —  “I know we put this off every year, because we didn't really know,” Mattingly told reporters.

Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: 'They're willing to dig in'  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As a sidearm sinkerball specialist, Steve Cishek didn't see the need to pore over an analytical breakdown of his pitches.  —  Until he joined the Cubs last spring.

Detroit Tigers go high-tech to get better on the field.  Here's how:  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — In the nearly four years since Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila took over, it has been clear that the team is diving further into analytics.  —  The push began with hiring Jay Sartori …

Joining the Royals a bit of a homecoming for pitcher Jake Diekman  —  Three Ps paved left-handed reliever Jake Diekman's path to the Royals bullpen.  That's proximity, power and Palmer.  —  The text messages began to flood Diekman's phone moments after his signing became official on Wednesday evening.

Aaron Boone is ready to deploy his fully loaded bullpen  —  TAMPA — It's not the numbers.  When Yankee manager Aaron Boone looks at his fully-stocked bullpen, he is excited about the differences.  With a healthy Zack Britton back and Adam Ottavino signed this winter, the Yankees have so many ways …