Column: If Manny Machado signs with the White Sox, he'll have to abide by the Renteria Rule  —  Photos of the White Sox at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune … Rest assured the Sox won't be sending a message like that to Machado …

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,” …

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.”

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.

First-day impressions from Braves spring training  —  Much of the Braves' spring intrigue is centered on pitching, where a competition for the remaining rotation spot and a spot in the bullpen takes center stage.  —  That competition formally began Friday, when pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Central Florida.

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.

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.

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 …

Terry Francona: 'I'm betting on the under' for Francisco Lindor's return to Indians  —  Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona would not be surprised to see All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor return quicker than expected from a right calf strain.  —  CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians manager …

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.

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 …