Astros are pursuing Blake Snell: Sources  —  The Houston Astros are at it again.  —  In January, they signed closer Josh Hader, the best closer on the free-agent market.  Now, according to sources briefed on their discussions, they are engaged in a serious pursuit of left-hander Blake Snell, the best starter on the market.

Joey Votto homers on 1st pitch of Jays spring training debut  —  Joey Votto sure knows how to make an instant impression, going deep on the first pitch he faced as a member of his hometown Toronto Blue Jays.  —  The veteran first baseman lined a 392-foot homer to left-center off Philadelphia …

Yankees' Gerrit Cole won't need Tommy John surgery, source says  —  The New York Yankees received positive news Thursday: Gerrit Cole was informed he will not need Tommy John surgery, at least for now, after visiting Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for a second opinion on his right elbow …

For ESPN announcers on MLB's Korea series, pandemic memories come flooding back  —  It was just four years ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago.  —  It was the time of the coronavirus pandemic, a period that changed our lives forever.  —  We were introduced to Zoom.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla explains why he has shifted the rotations and responsibilities of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown recently  —  The substitution patterns of Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been consistent and familiar for most of this season.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol earns 2-year extension  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Coming off a last-place finish in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals displayed confidence in manager Oliver Marmol and announced a two-year contract extension through 2026.  —  “The most important thing for Oli …

REPORT: Avalanche Players Knew They'd Lose Byram Eventually  —  When Devon Toews signed his extension with the Colorado Avalanche at the start of the regular season, it essentially put a ceiling on how high Bowen Byram could go on the depth chart in Colorado.

Bill Plummer, backup C in ‘Big Red Machine’ era, dies at 76  —  CINCINNATI — Bill Plummer, a reliable catcher who spent spent seven seasons backing up Johnny Bench during the “Big Red Machine” era and later served as a coach and manager in the majors and minors, has died.  He was 76.

Angels possibly had chance to keep Shohei Ohtani  —  Folks around the Angels believe Shohei Ohtani had a good chance to return had the Angels accepted the $700 million deferred deal that was being offered to the finalists (at least the Blue Jays and Giants accepted in addition to the Dodgers).

Padres acquire RHP Dylan Cease in trade with White Sox  —  MLB, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres  —  The San Diego Padres have acquired right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox, it was announced on Wednesday.  —  The White Sox are receiving right-hander Drew Thorpe …

Optimistic A's manager Mark Kotsay has lofty ‘expectation’ of a .500 season  —  MESA, Ariz. — Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay had a smile on his face as he sauntered into the Hohokam Stadium clubhouse Tuesday morning.  Consecutive 100-loss seasons and the franchise's messy relocation business …