Giancarlo Stanton Questionable For Opening Day Following Calf Injury  —  In yet another bit of unwelcome injury news for the Yankees, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Wednesday that Giancarlo Stanton sustained a calf injury while working in the outfield yesterday (Twitter link via Joel Sherman of the New York Post).

MLB cracking down on pitchers using foreign substances  —  TAMPA — MLB is trying to avoid a sticky mess in the future.  —  Chris Young, recently elevated by MLB to a senior VP to oversee on-field operations and umpire development, has been touring camps in Arizona and Florida to deliver …

J.D. Davis' MRI shows ‘no new structural damage’ in best-case scenario for infielder  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — J.D. Davis, a day after suffering a hard fall, received the best possible news.  —  Davis underwent an MRI on his left shoulder early Wednesday morning and the test did not show a ton …

Japanese baseball league shuts doors to fans due to virus  —  TOKYO — Japan's professional baseball league says it will play its 72 remaining preseason games in empty stadiums because of the threat of the spreading coronavirus.  —  The regular season is to open March 20.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

An ‘anti-communist concert’ is coming to Miami.  The city's government is a sponsor.  —  Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo don't agree on much these days, but they were in lockstep Monday in promoting an “anti-communist concert” set for April 11 at the James L. Knight Center downtown.