Commissioner Rob Manfred opened the fifth annual Cactus League Media Day on Monday afternoon in Phoenix, with MLB.com on the scene.

Jeff Francoeur’s journey has evolved much differently than he expected back when he found instant Major League success and established himself as one of the Braves’ top players. But the veteran outfielder will now have a chance to extend his career back where it all began.

In the end, the Khris Davis trade was a three-for-one. Ten days after picking up a pair of prospects in the deal, the Brewers won a waiver claim for Sean Nolin, the left-hander who’d been designated for assignment by Oakland to make room for Davis’ arrival.

Free-agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who earned National League Most Valuable Player Award honors with the 2007 Phillies, settled for a Minor League contract with the White Sox on Monday.

Jose Bautista has told the Blue Jays exactly what he wants in terms of dollars and years for a contract extension, and if Toronto isn’t willing to ante up, then he is prepared to move on at the end of the season.

Veteran Aaron Hill is the leading candidate to be the Brewers’ third baseman, manager Craig Counsell suggested onTuesday.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton is seeking a second opinion on his sore left knee and is scheduled to be examined by Dr. Jeff Dugas on Monday. Dugas is an associate of Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Bryce Harper does not want to be placed under any limits.

If the 2016 New York Yankees are leading after six innings, they should win at the end of nine. But it’s the six innings before where questions occur. The Yankees’ starting rotation could go either way. It is unquestionably a very talented group, but one also prone to something less than full, robust health.

Victor Martinez was one of the early-bird position players in the Tigers’ clubhouse Monday. He couldn’t shake the feeling he was late. “It’s the first time in my career I didn’t show up with pitchers and catchers,” he said wistfully. “It felt weird.”

Each of the past four springs, Jaime Garcia has reported to Spring Training with more than just his equipment. He’s come lugging questions, often loaded ones, and enveloped by an aura of uncertainty. This year, however, is different, and refreshingly so for a 29-year-old lefty who not too long ago wondered if his time in St. Louis had reached an end.

As Ender Inciarte spends the next six weeks working out and playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, he will draw upon fond memories of the childhood trip he made here from his native Venezuela with his late father, who was a Braves fan.

Freddie Freeman exited last year’s injury-plagued season hopeful that a few months of rest would provide sufficient therapy for his right wrist. But he has not progressed to the point that the Braves are comfortable with him entering Spring Training without any restrictions.

What Bryce Harper has accomplished on the field does not mean he is the leader on the team yet, according to new Nats manager Dusty Baker.

Rachel Balkovec was so eager to prove she was the most qualified candidate for a job as a strength and conditioning coach in baseball that she once altered her resume, spelling her first name “Rae” to make her name sound more gender neutral.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish threw only 17 pitches on Monday, but it was still an important day for him. Darvish threw from a higher elevation on Monday for the first time since having Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on March 17. Darvish did his work on the “half-mound” in the Rangers’ bullpen after months of throwing off flat ground.

Optimism is always overabundant during the spring. It was overflowing again in Cleveland’s camp Monday morning, when Indians left fielder Michael Brantley held court with reporters, flashed a wide smile and continued to claim Opening Day as the goal for his return.