Hate them all you want, but the Astros could be back in the World Series  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — What could be one of the final hand grenades in the spring training war of words landed in the middle of Dusty Baker's news conference Tuesday.  The Houston Astros manager heard how …

Bryant becomes Cubs' newest leadoff hitter  —  MESA, Ariz. — After Kris Bryant wrapped up his opening press conference of the spring, a discussion that lasted more than a half-hour with Chicago media on Saturday morning, the slugger headed back into the clubhouse.  —  Bryant was then greeted by manager David Ross.

Do the Cleveland Indians Have a Cy Young “Darkhorse” in Their 2020 Starting Rotation?  —  As the Cleveland Indians embark on the 2020 season, the overwhelming notion is that again the strong point of the roster is the team's starting pitching.  —  Even with the early spring training injury …

Will it be Wong or Edman?  Fowler or Carp?  Cardinals begin search for their leading man  —  JUPITER, Fla. — For all the rhetoric expended and hands wrung over the Cardinals' lack of a veteran cleanup man to drive in runs, the issue of who might be scoring those runs sometimes is overlooked.

Crowd-seeking Rays come up with win-win-win free ticket plan  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are offering fans a win-win-win-win proposition.  —  Trying to draw bigger crowds to barren Tropicana Field, the Rays came up with a crowd-pleasing ticket plan Wednesday.

Padres, Red Sox still talking about deal involving Wil Myers  —  After attempt to land Mookie Betts failed, Padres still talking to Red Sox about sending Wil Myers, others to Boston  —  While Padres General Manager A.J. Preller did make significant upgrades all around the roster …

Orioles Claim Andrew Velazquez, Designate Richard Urena  —  The Orioles have claimed utilityman Andrew Velazquez off waivers from the Indians, per a club announcement.  To create roster space, the team designated fellow infielder Richard Urena.  —  Velazquez, a 25-year-old switch-hitter, has only minimal MLB experience.

Giants to go beyond MLB and raise minor-league pay in 2020, help with housing  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Players in Giants camp who fail to make the team and get sent to the minors surely will be disappointed, but they will have a salve: a higher salary and a new housing allowance.

Pirates' Pablo Reyes banned 80 games for positive drug test  —  Pablo Reyes was suspended 80 games on Wednesday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone.  —  He became the second player in three days suspended for Boldenone …

New York Mets' Dellin Betances starts new chapter in same city  —  If there was one point in time when New York's own Dellin Betances made it clear that he was in Major League Baseball to stay, it was on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field.  As a 26-year-old reliever for the New York Yankees …