Why the Mets hung onto Devin Mesoraco, Jacob deGrom's personal catcher  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - After the Mets signed catcher Wilson Ramos in December, former All-Star Devin Mesoraco looked like a spare part.  —  Mesoraco was granted free agency at the end of October last year.

Phillies still sizing up Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, other free agents  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — With spring training underway, Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail is certain his team is built to win right now.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  As for adding someone like outfielder Bryce Harper …

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,” …

Ex-Dodgers teammates laud Manny Machado's ‘awesome’ skill and offer varying takes on ‘Johnny Hustle’ comment  —  Photos of Manny Machado, one of the top free agents this season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Dodgers and White Sox share a stadium at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix's west suburbs.

Tipsheet: Scherzer says fans should demand more from baseball owners  —  Our Town's Max Scherzer appreciates how the Washington Nationals try to contend every year.  —  The Cardinals also refuse to go the tank-and-rebuild route.  Given credit to the Los Angeles Dodgers, too, for staying in the hunt year after year.

The Bryce, Manny stalemate and the latest on MLB free agency  —  The broken record of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper's free agency took another spin on the turntable Thursday.  First, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Padres general manager A.J. Preller had flown to Miami to meet with Machado.

Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: 'They're willing to dig in'  —  Cubs pitchers Mike Montgomery and Brad Brach discuss their roles this season at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

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.

No regrets: Jose Martinez bids farewell to first baseman's glove  —  Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com  —  Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez takes batting practice during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter …

Tigers beat Michael Fulmer in final arbitration case; players win 6-4  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers beat pitcher Michael Fulmer on Friday in the final salary arbitration case this year, leaving players with a 6-4 final record in decisions.  —  Fulmer was awarded a raise …

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.

Cincinnati Reds went with quantity when looking for pitchers to create a quality rotation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds bolstered their starting rotation this offseason and they went with the quantity approach.  Rather than add one guy who was clearly the No. 1 starter …

Scott Servais: ‘Overzealous’ offseason behind Mallex Smith's sore shoulder  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle center fielder Mallex Smith will not participate in early throwing and fielding drills during spring training because of shoulder soreness sustained while throwing in January.

Roberto Osuna to close for Houston Astros this season  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Roberto Osuna will close for the Houston Astros.  —  “I can pretend and create some false competition, and that doesn't gain any credibility,” manager A.J. Hinch said.  “Transparency goes a long way, and maybe the closer question can be put to rest.”

Baseball notebook: Cubs sign lefty reliever Cedeno  —  Lefthanded reliever Xavier Cedeno and the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a $900.000, one-year contract.  —  The deal is not guaranteed, meaning Cedeno could be released for termination pay before opening day.

'We didn't sign you to be Adrian Beltre.' Here's why Rangers did sign Asdrubal Cabrera  —  Everyone knows who Asdrubal Cabrera is replacing at third base this season for the Texas Rangers.  —  No, it's not Jurickson Profar.  —  It's the guy who retired in November as one of the greatest third baseman in baseball history.

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 …