Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston has signed a one-year extension with the club and will retire after the 2015 season, Rogers Communications announced on Monday.

The roster has been retooled and improved since A.J. Hinch took over as manager of the Astros last fall. The team has beefed up the offense, strengthened the bullpen and created competition that will take center stage at Spring Training next month in Kissimmee, Fla.

Public visitation and memorial services for Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, will be held Friday and Saturday at Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Cubs announced.

Public visitation and memorial services for Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, will be held Friday and Saturday at Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Cubs announced.

At a time when the reserve clause allowed baseball owners to hold onto players and limit salaries, Ernie Banks landed in the lap of Cubs’ owner Philip Knight Wrigley, and the two created a lasting relationship that benefited both men.

First baseman Justin Morneau wasn’t sure how he’d fit with the Rockies when he signed with them before last season. He was a Twins mainstay from his Major League debut in 2003 until August 2013, when he was dealt to the Pirates — where he helped during a playoff run but admitted he felt like an outsider. Morneau did more than fit with the Rockies.

New Padres outfielder Matt Kemp touched on several topics recently during a interview for “Larry King Now,” including his departure from the only organization he’s ever known and his new start in San Diego.

The Reds and All-Star catcher Devin Mesoraco avoided arbitration on Monday by agreeing to a four-year, $28 million contract.

Rob Manfred’s first day in the office as baseball’s 10th Commissioner was, well, normal. Perhaps that’s because this first day was four months in the making. In that time, Manfred came up with an agenda for his first 100 days.

Bill Monbouquette — a Medford, Mass., native and Red Sox legend — died on Sunday at age 78 after a long battle with leukemia.

The Padres have extended Major League Spring Training invitations to 18 players, several with big league experience and a handful of their top prospects.

It’s all about winning. Individual stats can impress, but championships are usually the defining ingredient of greatness. Former Cubs great and Hall of Famer Ernie Banks is a rare exception.

A few months after taking over for Kirk Gibson, D-backs skipper Chip Hale is finally on the verge of his first Spring Training as a big league manager. There’s excitement but also some nervous anticipation. Hale knows he’ll make some mistakes along the way. Baseball is not a perfect sport.

During the team’s annual Town Hall Meeting on Monday, Indians president Mark Shapiro and manager Terry Francona reiterated their belief that the team in place is more than capable of contending.

Attempting to strengthen their organizational depth in the catching department, the Braves have signed veteran John Buck to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training.

Alex Avila is committed to making the hockey-style catching mask work for him, whether it’s comfortable or not. After concussions in each of the last three seasons, the Tigers’ backstop is making the switch.

For Fernando Rodney, the arrow has gone international. When the Mariners closer peers skyward as he pulls back his imaginary bow following every save, he pictures the arrow sailing far into the distance. But even Rodney seems surprised that his trademark move has become familiar to young fans in South Korea, where he visited last week on a personal goodwill tour.