Matt Garza’s record-setting contract with the Brewers rewards the right-hander for staying healthy and protects the Brewers in the event he suffers injuries, according to details reported Tuesday by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Zach Lee is a non-roster invitee preparing for his first Major League Spring Training camp. He spent last week at the Dodgers’ “Young Guns” pitching minicamp in Arizona after a week in Los Angeles at the organizational development camp. Lee said he’s ready to win a job, even though he knows the Dodgers’ pitching staff is loaded with high-priced, proven veterans.

Major League Baseball has approved a product designed to protect pitchers from potentially dangerous line drives hit at them. A padded cap manufactured by the 4Licensing Corporation subsidiary isoBlox will be made available to pitchers when they report to Spring Training.

Reckless driving charges against Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig have been dropped, but speeding charges remain after his December arrest in Florida.

As the Tigers try to defend another division title, they’re hoping for big things from third-year southpaw Drew Smyly to balance an otherwise all-righty rotation.

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan met with Astros owner Jim Crane and president of business operations Reid Ryan on Tuesday morning at Minute Maid Park, potentially to discuss the legend’s reunion with the club.

If A.J. Burnett has indeed decided to pitch this season, but not necessarily for the Pirates — as reported by multiple sources on Tuesday — it is news to Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington.

The Orioles have confirmed they’ve re-signed right-hander Eric Beaulac to a Minor League deal on Tuesday.

The Nationals are still looking to upgrade their bench, and they’ve expressed interest in infielder Jeff Baker, MLB.com has learned. The team has had Baker on its radar since the Winter Meetings, according to a baseball source.

Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman know that at some point within the next three weeks, they will attend arbitration hearings that will determine their respective salaries for the upcoming season.

With the start of Spring Training just a few weeks away, anticipation is building for the 2014 season. MLB.com will go around the horn to break down each area of the Yankees’ roster, continuing with this look at the corner-infield spots.

Tom Wilhelmsen is heading to Mariners Spring Training with a cleared mind and clean slate after losing the closer’s job last August.

There were few players more popular with the fans at last weekend’s FanFest than outfield prospect George Springer, the man who put up eye-popping numbers in the Minor Leagues last year and had the Astros’ faithful beating the drum to see him play in Houston.

The perpetually pesterous polar vortex is not the only deep freeze taking place this month, as Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, Nelson Cruz, Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales can attest.

Adam Eaton relishes having a reputation for being a grinder. It means he hustles, hits for average and steals bases. Most important for the White Sox, it means he’s on base.

With seven of the top 100 Minor League prospects in MLB.com’s rankings, the Astros have compiled the best farm system in baseball, according to rankings released Tuesday by ESPN.com’s Keith Law.

The Reds and closer Aroldis Chapman have avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5 million contract.