The ghost of Matt Harvey looms over Jacob deGrom contract talks  —  The bond between Jacob deGrom and Brodie Van Wagenen was expected to be the glue that held the Mets pitching staff together.  —  But that bond is changing rapidly, and may end up being the wedge that drives them apart.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shows up early, rakes in BP  —  After showing up a day early to spring training, the Toronto Blue Jays' top prospect couldn't help but make a splash.  Expectations for the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero were already set high before Vladdy Jr. hit …

Yankees GM Brian Cashman with a big tease at spring camp: 'We're never a finished product'  —  TAMPA - With the team he put together scheduled to all be here in less than 48 hours, Brian Cashman admitted his job is not done.  —  While the Yankees GM would not specifically discuss Bryce Harper …

Cardinals' Adam Wainwright: MLB players will strike barring change  —  St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright became the latest player to voice his concern over the slow free agent market and even forecast a strike midseason.  —  “Unless something changes, there's going to be a strike …

Ex-Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander wants to pitch until he's 45.  Here's his plan  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady continues to defy logic, winning his sixth Super Bowl title with the New England Patriots earlier this month at the ripe old age of 41.

Dustin Pedroia determined as ever to contribute for Red Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The first thing you need to know about Dustin Pedroia's left knee is that it will never be 100 percent again.  —  “It ain't even my knee.  It's somebody else's, bro,” the Red Sox second baseman said Friday …

CC Sabathia will let others talk up his Hall of Fame credentials, he just wants another World Series title  —  TAMPA - CC Sabathia has the finish line in sight.  The 38-year-old left-hander officially announced that the 2019 season will be his last.  A nagging knee issue …

Cardinals expect Marcell Ozuna to be ready Opening Day  —  JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna will be on a limited throwing program to start the spring but is expected to be ready for Opening Day, manager Mike Shildt said Saturday.

Drew Storen joins Kansas City Royals on minor-league contract  —  Billy Hamilton, Homer Bailey and now Drew Storen.  —  The relief pitcher who last pitched in Major League Baseball in 2017 for the Cincinnati Reds - before undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of last season …

Freddie Freeman arrives early to camp  —  It should come as no surprise Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was among the early arrivals to spring training.  —  Position players aren't required to arrive until Wednesday, but Freeman arrived Friday and held his first media assembly Saturday morning.

Chris Carpenter is a very special assistant for the Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals' Mike Maddux is among the most respected pitching coaches in major league baseball, and former Cardinal Chris Carpenter was one of its most respected pitchers until he retired some six years ago.

No, the Braves aren't in talks with Craig Kimbrel  —  In the past two days, the rumor mill has run rampant with a Craig Kimbrel-Braves reunion.  It makes sense to a degree: A homecoming for a fan favorite who'd undoubtedly make the bullpen more formidable.  —  But the Braves and Kimbrel aren't engaged in conversations.

Loss of DJ LeMahieu, CarGo means the Rockies will need to find new leaders in 2019  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Leadership, clubhouse chemistry and a team's mental toughness are difficult to define and even harder to measure.  —  Nonetheless, I believe that developing those traits …

Cubs reliever Junichi Tazawa expected to arrive Monday  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Free-agent reliever Junichi Tazawa is expected to arrive Monday at the Cubs' spring training camp.  —  Tazawa, who signed a minor league contract two weeks ago, has been delayed by visa issues in his native Japan.

Andrus arrives to Rangers camp with Beltre update.  Is he regretting decision to retire?  —  The music started blaring Saturday morning in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse just as the beat reporters entered, confirming that Elvis Andrus had reported to spring training.