When the Braves acquired Chris Johnson before the 2013 season, they did not anticipate he would be competing for a batting title nine months later. Nor did they expect him to return last year and produce the lowest OPS among all qualified National League third basemen.

Tony Oliva is undergoing a sort of post-career revival. Back in December, the Veterans Committee came one vote shy of electing him to the Hall of Fame. Now comes Tony Oliva: The Life and Times of a Minnesota Twins Legend by Thom Henninger.

Ryan Ludwick may be the ultimate baseball survivor. When you consider he broke into the Major Leagues on the most bizarre team in Rangers history and endured six major surgeries through his career, it is remarkable that Ludwick is still around.

Appearing live in-studio on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Thursday morning, Commissioner Rob Manfred talked about the impact of technology and how it can further enhance the game for fans as early as the upcoming season, among other topics.

Yulieski Gourriel is not only Cuba’s top player, he’s probably the most talented player in the Caribbean Series. The infielder will return to Japan for his second season abroad soon and scouts can’t help but wonder if and when he’ll make it to the United States.

Brian Duensing and his wife, Lisa, are involved in countless charities, but it was their effort in September to help raise awareness and donations for pediatric cancer that was their biggest cause.

Arquimedes Caminero has been known to dial his fastball up to 100 mph, and he will be one of six relievers in Spring Training camp who has hit 98 mph on the gun. The Bucs ‘pen averaged the hardest fastball in the Majors in 2014 at 90.6 mph.

Phillies chairman David Montgomery and club president Pat Gillick have expressed their support for GM Ruben Amaro Jr., but Montgomery acknowledged Thursday on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM that the club’s ownership group is watching closely and a collective decision will be made about Amaro’s future.

When Fergie Jenkins considered his favorite current MLB stars, the Hall of Famer looked at two young players who hope to lead the Cubs to the promised land: Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez.

Happy birthday wishes go out today to a pair of Hall of Famers who enriched the game with superlative talent and grace: the incomparable Hank Aaron and the brilliant Roberto Alomar.

An arbitration panel sided with the Marlins on Thursday in their $1 million difference with Mat Latos, who will make $9.4 million this season. The right-hander was seeking $10.4 million. The team has yet to confirm the decision.

With their Spring Training debuts just days away, let’s take a look at some of the All-Star talent that has switched caps this offseason.

Whether or not Rick Porcello winds up being a short-time member of the Red Sox or a fixture over the next few years, his main concern is that his stint with his new club is a highly productive one.

Historically, second basemen have not been coveted for their offense, but that’s not the case in 2015. Two of the best hitters in the Major Leagues play the position.

The Yankees have announced the invitations of 26 additional players to their 2015 Spring Training camp, including two of the game’s brightest up and comers: right-hander Luis Severino and outfielder Aaron Judge, who were listed among MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects last week.

It’s getting harder to find true power bats throughout Major League Baseball, but for first basemen, the long ball is alive and well. Power is what separates the elite fantasy first basemen from the rest of the crop, and there’s plenty of it to be found in 2015.

The White Sox acquired right-hander Yency Almonte from the Angels on Wednesday, picking up the player to be named from the trade that sent infielder Gordon Beckham to the Angels last Aug. 21. Chicago also requested waivers on outfielder Dayan Viciedo for the purpose of granting him his unconditional release.