Dodgers infielder Chase Utley, his suspension appeal still pending, spoke carefully when asked about the rule change that he unintentionally played a part in making and is likely to informally carry his name.

The batting practice that takes place between teammates during Spring Training generally favors the pitcher. In fact, some hitters go up there simply to track pitches.

One year removed from neck surgery, a clean-shaven Nick Markakis returned to Braves camp looking forward to the opportunity to prove even more productive than he was while dealing with some limitations last year.

The Pirates had reason to appreciate the new slide rules announced Thursday by Major League Baseball.

The Giants believe that Matt Cain can be ready to join their season-opening starting rotation despite having a cyst removed from his right (throwing) arm Thursday.

Matt Cain was scratched from a throwing session Thursday after having a cyst removed from his right arm. The right-hander is expected to resume throwing in 10 days.

Anibal Sanchez has inflammation in his right triceps that will sideline the Tigers pitcher from throwing until at least Monday, manager Brad Ausmus announced on Thursday.

Dexter Fowler returned to the Cubs in style Thursday, surprising his teammates on the field during practice with the news that he had signed a one-year contract to return.

It’ll be like you were there.

A change to baseball’s longstanding “neighborhood play” at second base may have saved Ruben Tejada a broken bone last October, and perhaps even turned a postseason loss into a win. But that does not necessarily make Mets manager Terry Collins a fan of the new rule, which requires runners to “engage in a bona fide slide” to avoid interference calls.

Royals manager Ned Yost isn’t about to announce his Opening Day starter. He’ll do that much later this spring.

Twins manager Paul Molitor has not allowed himself to wonder what his team might have accomplished if right-hander Ervin Santana had been in the Twins’ rotation all season.

New rules redefining what constitutes a legal slide while trying to break up a double play and two additions to the pace-of-game initiatives have been agreed to by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

There was very little on the sports landscape that Eddie Einhorn missed. Now it’s our turn to miss him.

Eddie Einhorn, a sports broadcasting visionary who spent parts of seven decades in sports and served as an executive with the Chicago White Sox for 35 seasons died late Tuesday night in New Jersey from complications following a stroke. He was 80.

Josh Donaldson’s first season with the Blue Jays could not have gone much better, as he became the second player in franchise history to win the American League MVP Award and led the club to its first postseason appearance since 1993.

Ryan Braun reported to Maryvale Baseball Park on Thursday morning bearing good news about his surgically repaired back, and a surprisingly optimistic outlook for the rebuilding Brewers.