Yankees starter Luis Severino needs Tommy John surgery  —  Less than a week after the New York Yankees shut down starter Luis Severino due to forearm discomfort, the team announced Tuesday that the right-hander now needs Tommy John surgery.  —  “His plan is to have it done as soon as possible …

Red Sox prospect arrives from Taiwan — and is immediately quarantined over coronavirus concerns  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chih-Jung Liu arrived in Florida last week eager to start his first spring training with the Red Sox.But instead of playing catch and getting to know his new teammates …

Alex Anthopoulos: No Concern On Freeman's Elbow  —  Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said today that Freddie Freeman's surgically repaired elbow is “not a concern.”  Freeman was scratched from his start yesterday after experiencing inflammation.  (Video via 680 The Fan, on Twitter.)

Scott Boras will honor Kobe Bryant's wish with internship for Alexis Altobelli  —  Baseball agent Scott Boras told the Los Angeles Times he will honor Kobe Bryant's wishes and create an internship for the late John Altobelli's surviving 16-year-old daughter, Alexis.

Keith Law's Top 100 prospects for 2020  —  Welcome to this year's ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball.  I've been compiling and writing such rankings for 13 years now, and those of you who've read them before will find the format here similar to those from the recent past.

Meet Mason Saunders, the secret rodeo identity of Madison Bumgarner  —  The picture is a bit blurry.  —  The photo is of two men standing in front of a backdrop featuring the logo of Rancho Rio Arena in Wickenburg, Ariz. They've just won $26,560 in a team-roping rodeo competition …

The Monday Baseball Column: The story behind why Alex Verdugo's debut is being delayed  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The first impressions have been hard to come by.  Just snippets.  —  Alex Verdugo occasionally cruises through the Red Sox' clubhouse these days, distinguishing himself with the constant companion of music.

Notebook: DeJong takes ‘free’ RBIs — and more  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Paul DeJong, who had struck out in his first two spring at-bats, knocked in four runs in his two plate appearances Tuesday in the Cardinals' 9-6 exhibition loss to the Washington Nationals in a 3 hour 49 minute struggle.

Marlins to host final of World Baseball Classic  —  MIAMI — Next year's World Baseball Classic will be played in Taiwan, Tokyo, Phoenix and Miami, with the Marlins hosting the semifinals and final along with half of the quarterfinals.  —  The fifth edition of the tournament will be played from March 9-23 next year.

Free Agent Market Still Stocked With Well-Known Players  —  As we all know, past performance — especially, long-past performance — is no guarantee of more in the future.  Teams are looking at more than Baseball-Reference career totals.  That said, track record does generally reflect a high degree of skill.

Patriots and agent for Tom Brady expected to meet in Indianapolis  —  INDIANAPOLIS — While there have been some conversations between the Patriots and Tom Brady, and or his agent, Don Yee, there hasn't been anything substantive with respect to a new contract for the Patriots quarterback.