Five potential buyers bid on Padres as club's sale reaches next stage  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seidler family's exploration of a sale is moving full steam ahead toward an actual sale of the Padres.  —  Five “very strong” bids have been submitted by prospective buyers, according to a source …

Wheeler takes next major step in rehab with first 'pen session  —  Phillies ace throws off mound for first time since thoracic outlet decompression surgery  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — It's another step forward for Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.  —  On Thursday morning at BayCare Ballpark …

Yankees to retire CC Sabathia's No. 52 jersey on Sept. 26  —  NEW YORK — CC Sabathia's No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Source: Scherzer agrees to return to Blue Jays for 19th season  —  Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has agreed to return to the Toronto Blue Jays, a source confirmed to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Wednesday.  —  The deal is for one year and $3 million, according to multiple reports.

Mack offers tantalizing moment for what future could hold.  And Marlins nuggets  —  A six pack of Marlins notes on a Wednesday:  —  ▪ We've reached the point of the Marlins rebuild where the gap in fan enthusiasm between the present and the long-term future has closed, at least to a large extent.

Kim impressing, but 2B position battle will proceed without him  —  Dodgers infielder will leave camp to join Team Korea for the World Baseball Classic  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — With a limited time to make a good impression in his second big league camp, Hyeseong Kim has already given the Dodgers a lot to think about.

DeLauter (lower body soreness) scratched for precautionary reasons  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Guardians have noted on several occasions they intend to be mindful about Chase DeLauter's workload this spring due to his injury history.  That plan came into action during Wednesday's Cactus League matchup against the Rangers.

Bruce Froemming, an enduring umpire with decades of colorful confrontations, dies at 86  —  Share full article  —  Bruce Froemming, a giant of the umpiring profession who called 5,163 games across 37 major-league seasons, ranking No. 3 on MLB's career list, died Tuesday in Milwaukee.  He was 86 years old.

Paul Skenes expects to make two starts in World Baseball Classic  —  Share full article  —  Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, is at a different stage of his career than Detroit Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, who is coming off back-to-back AL Cy Youngs.

Pujols, Yadi among nominees for next Cardinals Hall of Fame class: Vote now  —  Fans to Select Former Cardinals Great for Induction on September 12  —  The St. Louis Cardinals have revealed George Hendrick, Brian Jordan, Yadier Molina, and Albert Pujols as the modern players nominated …