Dodgers' Seager plays SS for 1st time since April  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Corey Seager played shortstop in a game for the first time since April 29, logging three innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a minor league exhibition.  —  The 2016 NL Rookie of the Year had surgery May 4 to repair …

Wainwright, Ponce de Leon both to start against Astros  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Cardinals bench coach Oliver Marmol will have more of the “A” team Friday night as the Cardinals engage in a split-squad doubleheader with the Houston Astros.  One game will be here at 5:05, Central time …

Taylor to get MRI, testing Nats' thin depth at OF  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor favored his left leg as he limped through the clubhouse Friday before heading to have an MRI on his sore knee and hip.  —  Manager Dave Martinez called the test precautionary …

Albert Almora Jr. leading off for Cubs against White Sox; David Bote will start at shortstop  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. will lead off Friday when the Cubs travel to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., to face the White Sox.  —  Almora went -for-3 from the ninth spot Thursday …

Jordan Roberts' game-winner completes Long Beach State's comeback win over Hawaii at Big West Tournament  —  ANAHEIM — An 18-point deficit in the opening minutes seemed to spell doom for Long Beach State against Hawaii in the Big West Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night.

Gabriel Burns: Why can't Ronald Acuna be the 2019 MVP?  —  BY GABRIEL BURNS THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION  —  Tuesday was the typical afternoon for Ronald Acuna.  Before homering in his second consecutive game, he drew oohs and awes in batting practice, twice putting balls over the mountainous scoreboard in center field.

Mets backup shows why he is a ‘dangerous weapon to have’  —  JUPITER, Fla. — J.D. Davis' usefulness to the Mets this season could be largely dependent upon his ability to produce off the bench.  In that regard, he passed a test of sorts Thursday.  —  Davis' RBI double in the eighth …

It's a Miracle!  News finally catches up with Jerry Grote, the hard-to-find catcher from the '69 Mets  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Texas twang on the other side of the phone line was unmistakingly Jerry Grote's, even if the former Mets catcher himself has not been heard from in more than 30 years.

Tigers' Fulmer hopeful, but odds are against him starting season on time  —  Lakeland, Fla. - On the walk-up to the TigerTown administrative offices at about 7:30 Friday morning, out in the mist on the short field alongside the batting cages, was Michael Fulmer, in uniform, throwing long toss in preparation for a bullpen session.

The Rays' latest challenge to baseball convention: Four outfielders  —  Tampa Bay could potentially use the alignment against 15-20 hitters this season.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Spring training is the time to experiment, and the Rays are never afraid to try something different.

What Judge, Yankees think about HR Derby winner getting $1 million  —  TAMPA — A pinstriped update on the 2019 Home Run Derby, in the wake of Thursday's announcement there will be $2.5 million in prize money, including $1 million for the winner, added to the proceedings:  —Aaron Judge is very likely out.

Luis Severino Likely Out Until May  —  Yankees general manager Brian Cashman provided a more concrete timetable for right-hander Luis Severino to return from his current shoulder troubles Friday, revealing that the organization doesn't expect Severino to pitch in a big league game until sometime in May …

Why do managers and coaches sit outside the dugout during spring training games?  —  If you've ever watched a spring training baseball game you probably noticed it.  —  The manager and his coaches are typically sitting outside the dugout, closer to home plate, sitting in chairs, usually behind a protective netting.

Can anyone catch Mike Trout as baseball's best player?  —  play  —  Mike Trout has been baseball's consensus best player for a long time now.  That was reflected this week in the unveiling of our annual MLB Rank Top 100, which once again placed Trout at the top of the heap.

MLB changes All-Star selection process and pace-of-play rules for 2019  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — In a tangible sign of cooperation between the commissioner's office and a skeptical players' association, MLB and the union announced several rule changes Thursday that will affect the trading deadline …