Yankees' Brian Cashman stands up to Jacoby Ellsbury critics  —  Jacoby Ellsbury will likely have to begin the season on the injured list, Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted Saturday.  The outfielder is still not running on flat ground because of plantar fasciitis, and will not report to spring training until later next month.

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.

Does CC Sabathia have a Hall of Fame future?  —  If, a few years from now, CC Sabathia is standing on a stage behind the Clark Sports Complex in Cooperstown, New York, delivering a speech on Induction Day, many will point to a moment this past season that kind of encapsulated what he is all about.

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 …

Ronald Acuna reiterates desire to stay at leadoff  —  Ronald Acuna reinvigorated the Braves from the leadoff spot last season.  On his first day of spring training Saturday, he doubled down on his desire to stay there.  —  Two weeks ago, Acuna told reporters he hoped to stay atop the lineup.

Farhan Zaidi is reshaping Giants' future to resemble recent past  —  When the pitchers and catchers of the San Francisco Giants reported to camp a few days ago, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi assembled the group for a meeting.  —  During a decade with the Oakland Athletics …

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.

Cardinals sharpen swings, meet new coach in visit to Carpenter's Frozen Rope Ranch  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • New hitting coach Jeff Albert and returning shortstop Paul DeJong ended up on the same flight to Dallas, so the two Cardinals shared a rental car and started a conversation on their 80-mile drive south.

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 …

If Manny Machado signs with the White Sox, he instantly would become Chicago's best player, according to these rankings  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Javier Baez is the best Major League Baseball player in Chicago — for now.  —  The Cubs middle infielder, who finished second to the Brewers' Christian Yelich …

Ichiro Suzuki back in Mariners camp at 45 with chance to play at home  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Ichiro Suzuki fluidly went through a variety of stretches on the floor in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse even before going onto the field.  Once outside, he smoothly went through fielding, hitting and baserunning drills.

Bryce Harper is close to signing, someone says for 1,000th time  —  Rumors that suggest Bryce Harper is close to signing are like promises from your lover claiming they've finally changed.  —  Harper hasn't, and chances are they haven't, either.  Yet we hear both out each time because, well, we can't help ourselves.

'It's an honor': Veteran lefty Cole Hamels is taking his new leadership role seriously  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cole Hamels admitted he had thoughts about becoming a free agent shortly …