Herro's 33 not enough as Heat fall 106-92 in Toronto in injury absence of Butler  —  TORONTO — No, not optimal.  —  Coming off a game when they arguably were at their worst, the Miami Heat faced the challenge of responding to that adversity in the void of their best player.  —  It went as expected.

Giants chairman Greg Johnson assesses team, commits to Farhan Zaidi beyond 2023  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants chairman Greg Johnson made his best personal pitch to Aaron Judge this offseason.  Johnson approved the $350 million contract with Carlos Correa that would have nearly doubled the largest guaranteed sum in franchise history.

THREE-TIME MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR DANIEL MURPHY JOINS DUCKS  —  The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of 12-year Major League veteran infielder Daniel Murphy.  He begins his first season with the Ducks and 16th in professional baseball.  —  “This game is part of my soul …

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles' top pitching prospect, won't make starting rotation to begin season  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Grayson Rodriguez's much-anticipated arrival to the major leagues will have to wait, as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde informed the top pitching prospect Monday morning that he would instead begin the season in Triple-A.

Ump ejects Phillies' J.T. Realmuto after awkward ball handoff  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected Monday from a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays for an awkward ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation.

Pitch clock shaved 26 minutes off MLB spring training games  —  The use of a pitch clock shaved 26 minutes off spring training games this spring compared to last year as Major League Baseball is set to use it for the first time in the regular season beginning Thursday.

Outfielder Cristian Pache, out of minor-league options, will not make A's roster  —  Cristian Pache will not make the Oakland Athletics' season-opening roster, manager Mark Kotsay said on Monday night, making it possible the center fielder will not be in the organization much longer.

Sources: Hoerner, Cubs agree on 3-year, $35 million extension  —  Second baseman Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $35 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, locking up the team's most productive player last season for an extra season before he was due to hit free agency.

Mets DFA struggling outfielder Darin Ruf  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have made a decision about struggling DH Darin Ruf, designating him for assignment.  —  The 36-year-old right-handed hitter won't be included on the club's Opening Day roster.  Instead, the Mets will select outfielder Tim Locastro …

Joey Votto to begin Cincinnati Reds season on injured list, ending his Opening Day streak  —  For the first time since 2008, a stretch of 14 consecutive seasons, Joey Votto won't be written into the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day lineup.  —  Votto announced Monday he will begin a Triple …

MLB season preview: Rankings, playoff odds for all 30 teams  —  MLB opening week is here — and if you blinked this offseason, you missed a lot.  —  With some of the game's most recognizable faces in new places, it's time to reset the rankings for 2023.  Will newcomer Xander Bogaerts …

MLB predictions 2023: Expert picks for World Series, division winners, MVP and Cy Young awards  —  Major League Baseball's 2023 season begins with opening day on Thursday, March 30, the first games in what should be a memorable campaign filled with intrigue, star power, controversy and discourse around the new rules.

How Padres erased 30-game deficit to Dodgers (on paper)  —  A remarkable turnaround unfolded this winter.  ESPN Films isn't going to make a “30 for 30” documentary about it, but in its own way it was an exceptional thing:  —  Without a single regular-season game played …