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 …

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.

Another strong outing for Wacha, who might be in Cards camp for last time  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Michael Wacha seems to be having more fun in the Cardinals' clubhouse this spring than he probably ever has.  —  Part of that surely could attest to his side feeling good …

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.

Taylor injures left knee making diving catch (updated)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Michael A. Taylor was forced to prematurely depart today's exhibition game in the third inning, shortly after the Nationals center fielder injured his left knee making a diving catch.

Theo Epstein is impressed by the Cubs' bullpen depth, and they'll need it after so many injuries  —  Who does what for the Cubs?  A look at the franchise's organizational flowchart, from the front office to the dugout to the bullpen.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After their pleas …

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 …

Steven Matz looks to regroup as Mets take on Nationals  —  Steven Matz and the Mets face Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals in a Grapefruit League game on Friday at 1:10 p.m. at First Data Field.  —  Mets notes  —  Dominic Smith is tied with J.D. Davis for the team lead with eight RBIs. ...

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.

The Big Ben Problem in Pittsburgh, According to Two Ex-Steelers  — Two generational talents have officially left the organization, and two other ex-Steelers point to the quarterback as the root of the franchise's problems.  —  In the social media storm that comes with the first days of free agency, a lot can fly under the radar.

The Pete Alonso Dilemma: games in April count as much as games in September  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Pete Alonso is the type of slugger Mets fans would pay to see from Opening Day to the end of his tenure.  —  The reality is, if the Mets hold Alonso in the minors until a few weeks into the regular season …

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 …

Which of the new MLB rules changes will impact the Cleveland Indians the most?  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced Thursday sweeping rules changes that will be implemented in the next two seasons.  But how will the announced new rules impact …

MLB's new rule could force pitching specialists to become extinct  —  MESA, Ariz. — The left-handed relief pitchers, particularly the specialists, fear it will cost them their jobs.  —  The managers believe it will ruin strategy.  —  And baseball traditionalists despise it.