If you think Ichiro Suzuki’s batting stance is unorthodox, you should have seen Norman “Turkey” Stearnes when he stepped into the batter’s box in the Negro Leagues. Stearnes was a left-handed hitter who had an open stance with his right heel twisted and his big toe pointed straight up.

Bernie Stowe, a Reds fixture and an employee for six decades, died Tuesday after a long illness. Stowe, who had up-close and personal experiences with great players and teams that included the Big Red Machine, was 80 years old.

Camaraderie may never have been in short supply last season for the Mets, but it never hurts to have a little more. To that end, one of the team’s newest acquisitions, Antonio Bastardo, has baseball roots intersecting with those of closer Jeurys Familia.

The start of the international signing period is months away, but teams have been hard at work scouting prospects across Latin America and the Caribbean since last summer in search of future stars.

Over the next few days we’ll provide a categorical preview of the 2016 D-backs, including an introduction of the new players, a projected lineup and rotation and the top prospects to watch. The series begins with a look at D-backs players on the rebound in 2016.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish said he is feeling stronger physically than he did before having Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last March 17. More importantly, Darvish said he is feeling much better mentally as well.

J.D. Martinez surely had trouble envisioning a week like this one two springs ago, when the Houston Astros released him. That kind of thing can rattle a guy’s confidence. But Tigers coach Dave Clark, who’d been with the Astros, urged Detroit to sign him. Al Avila, now the Tigers’ general manager, did just that.

MLB.com fantasy guru Fred Zinkie fielded questions from fans during a live Twitter chat at @Fantasy411 on Tuesday.

The White Sox strengthened the back end of their starting rotation by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million deal with right-hander Mat Latos, the club announced on Tuesday.

Packing is a chore … except for when you’re headed to Spring Training.

The Blue Jays have an opening at the top of their lineup, and Kevin Pillar strongly believes that he is the man for the job.

Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training next week. In anticipation, Dodgers.com presents a series of articles previewing preparations for the 2016 season. Tuesday’s first installment is “On the Rebound,” with capsules on players coming off injuries or disappointing 2015 seasons.

This is awkward, isn’t it? Spring Training camps open in mere days, yet nearly 70 bigleague free agents are still looking for a job, or even the opportunity to compete for a job.

The relatively tepid winter that Michigan has enjoyed gave way to snow showers Tuesday morning to slop up the work commute, providing a backdrop as the Tigers’ clubhouse packed up gear bound for Spring Training in Lakeland, Fla.

Spring Training is just days away, a time when anticipation is at its highest for all baseball fans. This is the first of a series of preview stories that look at the 2016 Reds. In it, we look at players who are on the rebound.

Major League Baseball and the Players Association could be coming closer to an agreement on redefining what constitutes a legal slide into second base, a source told MLB.com. Barring unforeseen complications, the changes should be implemented by Opening Day.

The Orioles announced their non-roster invitees on Monday, and there were some interesting names among the 17 on the list.