Column: Addison Russell and the Cubs are under the microscope for all the wrong reasons  —  Photos of Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs kicked off apology week Friday at Sloan Park, where Addison Russell appeared before the media for the first time and accepted responsibility …

Luis Severino Agrees to 4-Year Deal as Yankees Try to Lock Up Young Core  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Everything was in place at the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel for Luis Severino's arbitration hearing Friday morning.  —  The panel was there, waiting to hear the cases presented by each side.

Bogaerts on signing extension rather than risking free agency: ‘You obviously have to think about that’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — We've been discussing a contract extension for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts since about 2013, which makes it strange that his impending free agency seems to be catching so many of us by surprise.

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 …

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.

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.

Dodgers SS Corey Seager looking to leave difficult season in the past  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Confined to crutches and unable to contribute, Corey Seager found himself in an awkward middle space while his Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to a second consecutive World Series last fall.

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.

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,” …

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.”

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 …

Steven Souza says he's finally healthy after injury-wrecked season  —  Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. pointed to one of the few positives to come from the pectoral injury that wrecked his debut season with the Diamondbacks.  —  “I can take my shirt off and show you a cool party trick,” Souza said.

What has Miller feeling like ‘normal baseball player’ again early in Rangers camp?  —  Every healthy pitcher at Texas Rangers spring training has thrown a bullpen session with the exception of reliever Shawn Kelley, who hasn't been anywhere near the Surprise Recreation Campus as he deals with an illness.

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 …

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 …

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.