The Astros announced a trio of promotions within its baseball operations staff on Friday, including naming Kevin Goldstein the club’s director of professional scouting.

In the next week or two, it should be full speed ahead for Marlins outfielder Jake Marisnick. The 22-year-old underwent left knee surgery the day after the regular season ended, and he is in the process of building up his running routine.

The Royals’ Pedro Ciriaco doubled twice for Escogido, driving in two to take a 3-1 lead in the seventh and then plating an insurance run in the ninth. Escogido improved to 3-2 and is tied for first place in the round-robin playoffs with Licey.

In this first edition of the Pipeline Inbox of 2014, we’re spanning the globe — including Europe! — for questions, talking about a couple of intriguing players at the hot corner and discussing some of the better pitching prospects in the year to come.

While Detroit is no stranger to making significant trades or signings after Jan. 1, general manager Dave Dombrowski could choose to focus on a contract extension for reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

The Phillies and Comcast SportsNet have struck a new TV contract. Financial terms are unknown, but sources said it is a 25-year deal. Comcast SportsNet certainly will broadcast the majority of Phillies games, but NBC10 is expected to get its share of Sunday broadcasts.

The Rays claimed left-hander Pedro Figueroa, who spent much of last season at Triple-A, off waivers from the A’s on Thursday, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Jeff Suppan, the right-hander who logged 140 Major League victories and was a postseason hero for the St. Louis Cardinals, announced his retirement on Thursday with an homage to his late mother.

The Cardinals will have questions to answer and position battles to sort out during Grapefruit League play this spring. As it concerns their catching situation, though, nothing could be more stable.

Angels Minor League catcher Carlos Ramirez was handed a 100-game suspension on Thursday for a third positive test of what Major League Baseball called “a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.”

Will Denard Span hit leadoff for the Nationals again in 2014? Will Danny Espinosa be able to handle a bench role? Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers these questions and more in the latest Inbox.

Veteran right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez, outfielder Cole Gillespie and right-handed pitcher Matt Palmer have signed Minor League contracts with the Mariners with invitations to Major League camp in February, the club announced Thursday.

The addition of veteran left-handed reliever Scott Downs to the White Sox became official Thursday, with an announcement of a one-year, $4 million deal that includes a club option for 2015.

The Citi Frozen Fenway activities at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning have been cancelled due to the major snowstorm in the area.

The Citi Frozen Fenway activities at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning have been cancelled due to the major snowstorm in the area.

As the calendar flips to 2014 and free agency offers more remnants and fewer stars than in past years, however, the Tigers appear more likely to shuffle smaller pieces and make minor tweaks. If there’s a big deal left in Detroit this winter, it’s more likely to keep a player, not add one.

The countdown to Spring Training is underway. But before the Marlins take the field in mid-February, they will be interacting with fans at the team’s annual Winter Warm Up. The Winter Warm Up — previously known as FanFest — is set for Feb. 15 at Marlins Park.