Daniel Bard isn’t necessarily searching for the pitcher he used to be. He’s ready for a fresh start, and he believes he’s found the place for it in Pittsburgh.

Jake Arrieta’s unique slider/cutter has helped make him a star pitcher, but there are questions about the pitch’s sustainability.

Australia (3-0) is headed back to the World Baseball Classic following a 12-5 win over South Africa (2-2) at the WBC Qualifier final at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.

Who’ll be the kids called upon to swing postseason races in 2016? Here are the top 20, all of whom still have rookie eligibility, though a few gave us a glimpse of their gifts late last season and will surely do so as soon as Spring Training gets cooking next week.

One day after nearly five dozen retired players hit the links for charity, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association capped the weekend by conducting a Legends for Youth Baseball Clinic at Theodore Gibson Park in Miami, Fla.

Even Drake was there.

Mike Lowell, the MVP of the 2007 World Series as a Red Sox, partnered with retired Yankees catcher Jorge Posada on Friday to host the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Hall of Dreams Celebrity Classic, benefitting the South Miami Hospital’s Child Development Center Endowment through the Baptist Health Foundation.

Nobody knows the phrase “Wait till next year” better than the Cubs and their fans. But they’re not the only ones entering Spring Training hoping this is the elusive “next year” when it comes to October glory.

David Wright, who missed four months last season because of spinal stenosis in his lower back, will be limited to a maximum of 130 games, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told the New York Post on Saturday.

It may still be a few months out, but the Giants already know who will toe the rubber when they open the 2016 regular season on April 4 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

One year ago, Kris Bryant’s Spring Training exploits established a sense of expectation and hopefulness that still resonate today, as the 30 Major League clubs prepare for the next installment of Spring Training.

Even in his absence from Saturday’s FanFest at AT&T Park, Tim Lincecum remained a significant presence.

Can we get a pair?

More animals in funny hats, please.

Here’s to many more.

Michael Pineda wants this to be the season in which he puts it all together, and the right-hander arrived in advance of the Yankees’ Spring Training camp with a clear mission in mind: to complete 200 innings for the first time in his career.

How about a standing ovation for Dayton Moore, general manager of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals? Look at how many teams spent this offseason attempting to get themselves some of that Royals bullpen magic. That’s flattery at its sincerest.