The world just learned of the Astros' cheating.  Inside baseball, it was an open secret.  —  On the evening of Oct. 22, 2019, a group of umpires, Major League Baseball officials and the brain trusts of the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros — the respective general managers …

MLB plotting playoff expansion — with reality TV twist  —  Imagine a team picking its playoff opponent.  Think about Brian Cashman and the Yankees deciding whether to face the Red Sox or avoid them in the first round of the postseason.  All on live TV.  —  Well, it is probably coming soon to the major leagues.

Braves start day one with news of Cole Hamels' injury  —  On a day that is counted down to all winter, the day pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training, the Atlanta Braves had inauspicious news start spring training Wednesday morning.  —  Manager Brian Snitker told reporters …

Red Sox Name Ron Roenicke as Interim Manager  —  Roenicke, Boston's bench coach, was put in charge on the eve of the team's first spring training workout.  He replaced Alex Cora, who was let go because of his role in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal.  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. …

Entering another spring training with Mets, Tim Tebow 'won't give up' on baseball dream  —  If Tim Tebow strikes out at baseball, it's certainly going to be swinging.  —  Tebow begins spring training with the New York Mets organization next week in Port St. Lucie, Fla. …

Several teams checking in on KB trade (sources)  —  Kris Bryant is due to arrive to Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., later this week.  By all indications, he will be in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup in Milwaukee on March 26.  —  Yet, it's also true that the Cubs remain engaged in communication …

Joe Maddon opens up on leaving Chicago Cubs, returning to L.A. Angels  —  LONG BEACH, Calif. — Joe Maddon settled into a small Italian deli bordering the Pacific coast Friday, only a block from the high-rise condominium that housed him for the past month, and instantly felt regret.

Phillies Hope For 2nd Half Return From David Robertson  —  The Phillies are hopeful they've got a built-in summer acquisition in the form of veteran reliever David Robertson.  As Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports on Twitter, new Phils skipper Joe Girardi says that he hopes Robertson …

Is Rays' Charlie Morton retiring after 2020?  —  The veteran Rays pitcher said Tuesday that he might.  Performance, health, family and money all will be part of his decision.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Could this be Charlie Morton's last season pitching?  —  Coming off a 2019 performance …

When Kris Bryant gets to Mesa, he'll be the center of attention for a Cubs team in flux  —  While the rest of Major League Baseball has spent around $2.1 billion on free agents this offseason, the Cubs are banking on fuzzy concepts like attention to detail and a more structured clubhouse environment …