Mets, Braves highlight spectacular young talent  —  The Atlanta Braves continued locking up cornerstone players Thursday afternoon, when shortstop Ozzie Albies agreed to a seven-year deal worth a guaranteed $35 million.  But hours after Albies put pen to paper, the New York Mets proved …

Hurty dozen: Yanks add Sanchez to crowded IL  —  NEW YORK — Another day, another New York Yankees star to the injured list.  —  With 11 other players already on their IL, the Yankees announced Friday afternoon that catcher Gary Sanchez would be joining them, retroactive to Thursday …

See Red Sox, this is what happens when you pay attention to details  —  That moment one week before was perhaps the most pointed Alex Cora has been this season.  —  “I pay attention to details,” the manager said after his team's final game in Oakland.  “I love paying attention to details …

Lakers coach Luke Walton out after three seasons  —  Third-year coach agrees to part ways just three days after Magic Johnson stepped down as team president  —  LOS ANGELES — Luke Walton, the man the Lakers once hoped would guide them out of the franchise's longest stretch of futility, is done as head coach.

Quintana strikes out 11 in 7 innings, Cubs beat Pirates 2-0  —  The Cubs were in need of a strong outing by a starter, and Jose Quintana delivered.  —  The left-hander struck out 11 in seven innings of four-hit ball as Chicago blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Thursday night.

Rangers' plan is the same, but here's how Kiner-Falefa has changed for the better  —  Nothing has changed behind the plate for the Texas Rangers, who will continue to deploy catchers Jeff Mathis and Isiah Kiner-Falefa equally even though their recent usage hasn't been equal.

Miguel Andújar tries to avoid surgery step 2: play more catch, swing off a tee  —  Miguel Andújar took another step toward avoiding surgery on the torn labrum in his right shoulder Friday.  The third baseman played catch for the second time and took swings off a tee …

Wilmer Flores adjusting to Diamondbacks, adding flexibility to infield  —  David Peralta and Wilmer Flores spent a lot of time together during the offseason.  —  Both are Venezuelan, and Flores and Peralta have known each other for nearly a decade.  They work out and barbecue together in Florida.

How birthday wishes for Beltre turned into a hot stretch for Profar with new team  —  Jurickson Profar returned to Globe Life Park on Friday as a visiting player for the first time, as the Oakland A's opened a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.  —  He did so as one of the A's hottest hitters …

Detroit Tigers live chat with Anthony Fenech at 2 p.m.  —  Join Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech for a live chat on Saturday afternoon, from 2-3 p.m.  —  If you have a question about the Detroit Tigers, or baseball in general, leave it below.  At 2 p.m., Anthony will begin to answer those and interact with fans in real time.

Would J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins consider contract extensions with Phillies?  —  Rhys Hoskins consider contract extensions with  —  MIAMI - From established stars Nolan Arenado and  —  Alex Bregman and Ronald Acuña Jr., a bevy of major league players have straight-armed approaching free agency …

On Deck: Rays at Blue Jays  —  TAMPA BAY RAYS at TORONTO BLUE JAYS  —  STARTING PITCHERS  —  RHP Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Thornton (0-0, 1.69 ERA)  —  Stanek is one of the Rays' “openers.”  He will pitch 1-2 strong innings, and likely rack up some Ks (10.5 K per 9 IP).

Masters 2019: Meet the police officer who nearly took out Tiger Woods  —  AUGUSTA, Ga. — It wasn't hard to spot him.  Even on a rainy Masters Friday, at a soggy Augusta National, in a large Tiger Woods crowd saturated with police officers and security guards, one goateed man's mud-stained uniform …