Rhys Hoskins is leading the Phillies' rebuilt roster by example  —  Rhys Hoskins didn't have to work Monday.  —  He wasn't in the lineup, and the Phillies let players with significant workloads take recharge days.  —  But he was in the clubhouse Monday morning.  And in the dugout Monday afternoon.

New Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen not sorry for brash winter  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A year ago, Brodie Van Wagenen was threatening the New York Mets, demanding they sign ace Jacob deGrom to a lucrative contract extension or trade him.  —  Today, he wants deGrom's extension signed by opening day, but, of course, as cheap as possible.

Aaron Boone can see the Yankees using an ‘opener’  —  TAMPA — Jonathan Loaisiga made the argument for the Yankees to use an opener this year.  The young right-hander pitched a beautiful first inning Tuesday night and unraveled in the second inning.  Allowing all six of the runs he gave up in the Yankees' 8-7 win over the Orioles.

5 takeaways from Cubs spring training, including Pedro Strop's hamstring strain and what it means for opening day  —  The Cubs' Luke Hagerty discusses his comeback attempt at age 37 during spring training on March 12, 2019, in Mesa, Ariz.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Here are five takeaways from Cubs' spring training Tuesday:

Indians' Lindor (calf) to play game in minors  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Slowly and sensibly, Francisco Lindor is working his way back onto the field.  —  The Indians' three-time All-Star shortstop was scheduled to play in a controlled minor league game on Wednesday, a major step in his recovery …

MLB Rank: Biggest surprises, other reaction to our top 100  —  The results are in.  Let the arguments begin.  —  We've unveiled out MLB Rank top 100 (100-51 and 50-1), so now we're asking our panel of baseball writers for reactions — and we're asking you for your takes as well.

Yanks send RHP Farquhar to minor league camp  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Danny Farquhar has been reassigned by the New York Yankees to their minor league camp.  —  The 32-year-old right-hander, who collapsed in the Chicago White Sox dugout on April 20 because of a ruptured aneurysm and brain hemorrhage, appeared in three spring training games.

Column: Every team needs a Yolmer Sanchez to get through the grind of the season.  'You think so?  Yeah, that's what I think too.'  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It's difficult to pinpoint the highlight of the White Sox's 2018 100-loss season.  —  Matt Davidson's three opening …

Predicting the Braves' 25-man roster  —  As the Braves continue trimming their camp roster (which stands at 40), here's a look at how the initial 25-man roster might look March 28 in Philadelphia:  —  Catchers: Tyler Flowers, Brian McCann  —  McCann replaces Kurt Suzuki as Flowers' battery mate.

Kyle Farmer, Connor Joe homer as Cincinnati Reds clobber Chicago Cubs in spring training, 12-3  —  Michael Lorenzen made his debut in center field during Monday's spring training game.  He fielded two balls hit in his direction.  —  CONNECT  —  MESA, Ariz. - The Chicago Cubs committed …

Gibby, Gehringer and Kuenn: Meet the best Detroit Tiger from each Big Ten school  —  The Big Ten men's tournament opens today in Chicago with a pair of first-round games featuring Illinois, Nebraska, Northwestern and Rutgers.  (We're just waiting for a Michigan/Michigan State rematch.)

Royals believe Billy Hamilton is already elite, but has even more to offer  —  When on the run, Royals' slender and somewhat gangly outfielder Billy Hamilton becomes a near-perfect combination of explosion, flexibility and coordination.  —  The 6-foot, 160-pound Mississippi native glides around …

Baseball's confusing trade deadline rule is about to change.  Here's the potential fallout  —  OK, now that baseball is about to abolish August trades, raise your hand if you understood how teams made those infamous waiver deals of yesteryear.  —  Fans?  Reporters?  Players?  Anyone?

Are you sold on Rangers' Opening Day lineup as much as Chris Woodward?  —  Did you see the Texas Rangers' lineup Tuesday night?  —  Take a good look, sink it all in, let it sit with you for a moment or two.  Except for the catcher's spot, where Jeff Mathis is likely to be the starter …

Source: Reliever Sipp agrees to deal with Nats  —  The Washington Nationals took another step to solidify their bullpen on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with left-hander Tony Sipp, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.  —  The contract breaks down as a $1 million salary …

How can Walker Buehler top his debut season in Year 2?  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — It was either the World Series or the postseason round before that.  Walker Buehler is fuzzy on the details.  All he knows is that the stakes were high and that it was the second or third inning …

Rapidly improving Daniel Norris giving Tigers decision-makers options to ponder  —  Fort Myers, Fla. — It's probably too soon to say Daniel Norris is fixed.  But it seems clear he is mending, rapidly.  —  “It's unreal,” Norris said, after pitching three scoreless innings Tuesday …

Aaron Hicks receives cortisone shot for ailing back  —  TAMPA — Aaron Hicks needed a cortisone shot in his lower right back Monday and will be out another “three to four days,” the Yankees center fielder said Tuesday afternoon.  He is not yet worried about this carrying into the regular season.