Rob Manfred says pitching clock will be introduced in spring training and brushes off players' free agency gripes  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market.

Column: Cubs' rash of off-field controversies could give team the motivation it needs  —  Photos of the Cubs at spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., before the 2019 season.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Any day now, the conversation about the Cubs will return to baseball.  —  Right?  Please?

'There's no more excuses.' Four core Rangers players are ready to grow up in 2019  —  These are perilous times for the Texas Rangers, who are trying to produce young talent that can lift the franchise back to where it was the last time it went through a rebuilding phase.

Baseball notebook: Source says Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal  —  Source: Moustakas, Brewers nearing a deal  —  Mike Moustakas and the Brewers are nearing a deal that would keep the third baseman in Milwaukee for a guarantee of $10 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

Kris Bryant happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina over comments about St. Louis  —  MESA, Ari.  — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said he's more than happy to clear the air with Yadier Molina after offseason comments made by Bryant about the city of St. Louis raised the ire of the Cardinals' All-Star catcher.

Pivotal Yankees questions linger as Aaron Judge and Co. report to camp  —  TAMPA — Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Didi Gregorius and the rest of the Yankees position players are required to report to camp for physicals Monday.  Most will make a simple two, city-block move from the minor league complex …

Focus on Goldschmidt and Field 2 for the Cardinals' first day of full-scale drills  —  Cardinals infielder Paul Goldschmidt takes batting practice during Cardinals spring training on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer: No hard feelings after arbitration loss  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It's been a whirlwind of a week for Michael Fulmer.  —  Last Wednesday, he attended his salary arbitration hearing against the Detroit Tigers in St. Petersburg.  On Friday, he traveled back to Oklahoma …

Mets add shortstop option in glove-first veteran Adeiny Hechavarria  —  Brodie Van Wagenen on the Mets' depth  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Lacking a proven backup shortstop, the Mets have agreed to terms on a minors deal with veteran Adeiny Hechavarria, a source confirmed.

Dodgers' Kenley Jansen hoping higher spin rate will help him sizzle  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kenley Jansen wore a wide smile in the moments following this past Friday's workout.  The Rapsodo tracking devices and high-speed cameras set up throughout the bullpens of the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring …

Padres offer Manny Machado an 8-year deal worth at least $240 million: reports  —  Look out, White Sox.  It appears the Padres are serious about signing free-agent infielder Manny Machado.  —  The Padres have offered Machado an eight-year contract worth at least $240 million, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

No Manny Machado, no problem: Dellin Betances trusts the Yankees plan  —  TAMPA — The hard feelings are gone.  —  Dellin Betances arrived at camp — for what could be his final season with the Yankees — focused on the future.  The reliever, who arrived late following the birth of his son Dellin J., is in his walk year.

Why there are still reasons to applaud Delmon Young in Tampa Bay  —  He was a bust as a No. 1 pick in 2003, but the Rays have turned Young into a lasting influence through a series of trades.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — He was finished as a Major Leaguer by the time he was 29.

Astros to move Yuli Gurriel around during spring training  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Though the Astros acquired Aledmys Diaz with hopes he can fill a utilityman role on their bench, they will still experiment with another Cuban at other positions.  —  As he was toward the end of last season …