Harper walks twice in 1st spring ABs with Phillies  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper drew two five-pitch walks on Saturday in his first two spring training plate appearances since signing a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  The six-time All-Star outfielder signed a $330 million …

Royals sign catcher Martin Maldonado to one-year deal: Source  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Kansas City Royals agreed to a US$2.5-million, one-year deal with Martin Maldonado on Saturday, giving them a veteran catcher after losing Salvador Perez to a season-ending injury.

It was a good day for Rangers' right-hander Lance Lynn  —  Lance Lynn filled the zone and worked fast.  —  The Texas Rangers' right-hander struck out four, walked none and allowed one single in four innings against the Colorado Rockies Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Yankees unafraid of Masahiro Tanaka's ugly Opening Day history  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Masahiro Tanaka has been a big-game pitcher for the Yankees.  —  Last year, he was on the mound for the only game the Bombers took from the Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

A different breed: Cubs are chasing the Brewers in the homegrown-pitching department too  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As the Cubs try to bounce back from last year's second-place finish in the NL Central, there's other ground they need to gain to overtake the Brewers.

Detroit Tigers observations: Michael Fulmer's velocity still down  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — As far as Michael Fulmer's three Grapefruit League starts have gone, this one was the most worrisome.  —  Not just because of his fastball velocity - which sat between 88-92 m.p.h. …

Unable to reach agreements, Cardinals renew contracts for Hicks, Flaherty  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Unable to reach an agreement with two of their youngest and most prominent pitchers, the Cardinals imposed salaries on starter Jack Flaherty and reliever Jordan Hicks as part of finalizing contracts with 20 players Saturday.

Searching for his A-swing, Clint Frazier finds his way again in Yankees' camp  —  Yankees' Clint Frazier takes BP before game against the Orioles on Saturday night at Sarasota  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - Clint Frazier's boundless energy has returned, and now he's darted over to Aaron Judge's corner locker …

Astros' Jose Altuve scratched from lineup again with continued left side soreness  —  JUPITER, Fla. — For the second time in three days, Jose Altuve was scratched from the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday with continued left side soreness.  —  “It's the same, tightness I'd say …

Cincinnati Reds lefty Alex Wood suffers setback with more back tightness  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - For the second time this spring, Alex Wood felt his back tighten up after pitching on a mound.  He made his Cactus League debut on Feb. 25 and it could be another week before he makes his next appearance.

Cubs' Cole Hamels to face Giants; Nico Hoerner starts at shortstop vs. Angels  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs will feature many twists Saturday when they face the Giants in Scottsdale and play host to the Angels at Sloan Park in split-squad games.  —  Left-hander Cole Hamels …

Kenta Maeda shines in Dodgers' 2-0 exhibition win over Mariners … The Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 Saturday in a spring training game.  They are 8-6-1 in Cactus League games.  —  ON THE MOUND: Kenta Maeda struck out four batters in three perfect innings in his third start …

Column: ‘I believe in myself’: Javier Baez is getting overlooked again — and that's just the way he likes it  —  Photos of Cubs infielder Javier Baez.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, a prominent Las Vegas betting website installed him as a 4-1 favorite …

Cover-up: Lake Superior 90% ice-covered for just 5th time in past 20 years  —  Drone footage of the blue ice stacked at the Straits of Mackinac, near the Mackinac Bridge.  Captured by Dustin Dilworth of D3 Imagery.  —  CONNECT  —  It's a far icier winter than last year's for the Great Lakes.

Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler faces hitters for first time this spring … Walker Buehler struck out the final two batters he faced in dominant fashion Saturday.  He possessed his usual arsenal revolving around a sizzling fastball.  He received an ovation as he walked off the mound after 21 pitches.

Alex Cora envisions more right field in J.D. Martinez's future this season  —  FORT MYERS—When the Red Sox acquired J.D. Martinez, there were questions about his defensive capabilities.  Combined with Fenway Park's unique dimensions, it didn't appear he'd factor into the outfield game plan much, if at all.