The Colorado Rockies broke a tie game by scoring six runs in the top of the ninth inning and held on to beat the host Arizona Diamondbacks 12-8 in spring training action Friday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

• Benny Montgomery got the surge going with a three-run double. Julio Carreras added an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch, and Jake Rice (0-1) proceeded to hit Zac Veen with a pitch with the bases loaded.

  Brenton Doyle hit a fourth-inning grand slam for the Rockies, who then squandered a 5-1 lead before rallying. Veen tied the game at 6-6 with a seventh-inning double. Dugan Darnell (1-0) pitched a spotless eighth to earn the win.

  Ildemaro Vargas hit a two-run home run and Tristin English had two RBI singles for the D-backs.

  Yankees 4, Rays 0

  Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run double in his first at-bat in a New York uniform as the hosts blanked Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla.

  Jasson Dominguez and Brendan Jones added RBIs while eight pitchers scattered eight hits and struck out 11. Starter Marcus Stroman (1-0), who expressed opposition to the possibility of coming out of the Yankees' bullpen this season, yielded two hits and struck out one in one inning of work.

  Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson each finished with two hits for the Rays. Joey Krehbiel (0-1) gave up Goldschmidt's two-run hit. Goldschmidt joined the Yankees from the St. Louis Cardinals via free agency.

  Cubs 7, Dodgers 3

  Miguel Amaya had a two-run homer among his two hits and two runs as host Chicago defeated Los Angeles in Mesa, Ariz.

  Starter Jordan Wicks threw two scoreless innings before Caleb Kilian (1-0) scattered a run and five hits over the next 1 2/3 frames. The Cubs prevailed despite being out-hit 13-11.

  Tony Gonsolin struck out two batters in one inning as the Dodgers' starter before Luis Garcia (0-1) took the loss due to a three-run third. Chris Okey hit a two-run shot in the seventh to soften the margin.

  Royals 5, Rangers 2

  Tyler Gentry bashed the tiebreaking three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth as Kansas City fended off visiting Texas in Surprise, Ariz.

  Gentry's hit made a winner out of Austin Cox (1-0), who blew a save in the top half of the inning by giving up a tying two-run double to Trevor Hauver. The Rangers' Nolan Hoffman (0-1) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on Gentry's blast.

  Royals third baseman Nick Loftin had two hits, including a two-run single in the second that provided the only scoring until the eighth.

  Padres 5, Mariners 2

  Manny Machado homered 428 feet to center in his first at-bat of the spring to put two runs on the board and send San Diego on its way to victory over visiting Seattle in Peoria, Ariz.

  Machado's bomb was followed in the first inning by Oscar Gonzalez's RBI double. Gavin Sheets and Eguy Rosario later added RBI doubles. Starter Ryan Bergert (1-0) pitched a perfect first inning.

  Samad Taylor hit a solo shot in the ninth for the Mariners. Starter Jhonathan Diaz (0-1) went two innings and yielded three runs on three hits and a walk.

  --Field Level Media

Four months after they nicked themselves with poor defensive play in the deciding game of last year's World Series, the New York Yankees have decided to allow their players to start growing facial hair.

• Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner declared "well-groomed beards" would be permitted in declaring an end to the franchise's longstanding policy that allowed mustaches but not beards or unruly sideburns.

  "In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees -- spanning several eras -- to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback," Steinbrenner said Friday morning in a statement. "These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years.

  "... It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

  The previous policy on player appearance included the length of players' hair and came about in 1976. When George Steinbrenner died in 2010, his daughter and Yankees managing partner Jennifer insisted the team's rule not be changed.

  There is at least one current Yankees player who appreciates the razor relief. New closer Devin Williams reported to Tampa with the goatee look he's had for several years. When the topic of the facial hair policy came up, he was coy and said only "we'll see" when pressed on his plans for altering his appearance.

  Dodgers' Bobby Miller better after liner to head

  Los Angeles right-hander Bobby Miller had a residual headache but no fracture or significant bruising a day after being struck in the head by a 106-mph comebacker, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Miller is in concussion protocol with no specific timetable on a return.

  Facing the Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch in the third inning Thursday's spring training opener, Miller couldn't get his glove up in time to avoid taking Busch's drive off his right temple and immediately went to the ground, clutching his face and head.

  Miller posted to X on Thursday night, writing, "Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Really means a lot. Scary moment I'm good! All praise to the man above ... can't wait to get back on the mound."

  Reds not keen on spring ABS trial

  Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge trial during spring training but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.

  ABS affords pitchers, hitters and catchers an immediate objection to a ball-strike call. MLB has not yet fully adopted the system, which has been used in the minor leagues. A trial involving 13 spring training ballparks began Thursday.

  "I'm OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they've done it," Francona said. "It's not a strategy for (the MLB teams), so why work on it? I don't want to make a farce of anything, but we're here getting ready for a season and that's not helping us get ready."

  Tigers' Akil Baddoo has hand surgery

  Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right hand.

  Baddoo had his hamate bone operated on Thursday, according to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. Baddoo had been bothered by hand and wrist soreness since the start of spring training.

  Baddoo, 26, batted just .137 with two home runs and five RBIs in 31 games last season. He was designated for assignment over the winer, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. He is at spring training as a non-roster invite.

  Other news and notes

  Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, the team's Opening Day starter on March 18 against the Dodgers in Japan, threw 39 pitches in a simulated game and had five strikeouts. ... Highly regarded New York Yankees pitching prospect Chase Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2025 season. ... Veteran outfielder Manuel Margot signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an invitation to big league camp, according to multiple outlets. ... The Chicago White Sox signed veteran right-hander Mike Clevinger to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp.

  --Field Level Media

Los Angeles right-hander Bobby Miller has a residual headache but no fracture or significant bruising a day after being struck in the head by a 106-mph comebacker, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday.

• Facing the Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch in the top of the third inning in Thursday's spring training opener in Phoenix, Miller couldn't get his glove up in time to avoid taking Busch's drive off his right temple and immediately went to the ground, clutching his face and head.

  He was able to get on one knee while being tended to by the training staff before leaving the field on his own. Miller remained in the dugout until the inning ended, then walked to the clubhouse sporting a large welt on the right side of his forehead.

  The 25-year-old, who is a candidate for the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation, was put in concussion protocol.

  "He feels very confident that he can kind of pick up his throwing program soon," Roberts said Friday. "But he's just got to keep going through the concussion protocol just to make sure that we stay on the right track."

  Miller burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, finishing 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts, but was limited to 13 starts in 2024 due to injuries and inconsistency and finished 2-4 with an 8.52 ERA. The Dodgers' first-round pick in the 2020 draft didn't pitch in the playoffs for the 2024 World Series champions.

  Miller posted to X on Thursday night, writing, "Thank you to everyone who has reached out. Really means a lot. Scary moment I'm good! All praise to the man above ... can't wait to get back on the mound."

  Roberts didn't specify a timeline for Miller's return to action but appeared optimistic Friday.

  "He said in his words, ‘I have a hard head.' He was certainly in good spirits," Roberts said.

  --Field Level Media

Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right hand.

• Baddoo had his hamate bone operated on Thursday, according to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. Baddoo had been bothered by hand and wrist soreness since the start of spring training.

  Baddoo, 26, batted just .137 with two home runs and five RBIs in 31 games last season. He initially joined the Tigers in 2021.

  In December, Detroit designated Baddoo for assignment. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. He is at spring training as a non-roster invite.

  Overall, Baddoo has a .226 career average with 28 homers and 103 RBIs in 340 career games over four seasons with the Tigers.

  --Field Level Media

Reds manager Terry Francona plans to opt out of elective participation in the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge trial during spring training, but is willing to let Cincinnati's minor-league players accustomed to the procedure use challenges.

• ABS affords pitchers, hitters and catchers an immediate objection to a ball-strike call. Major League Baseball is not fully adopting the system, which has been used in the minor leagues, this season but began a trial involving 13 total spring training ballparks on Thursday. Teams are allowed two challenges per game, which must come from on-field players and not the dugout or manager.

  "I'm OK with seeing our younger kids do it because they've done it," Francona said. "It's not a strategy for (the MLB teams), so why work on it? I don't want to make a farce of anything, but we're here getting ready for a season and that's not helping us get ready."

  ABS was used for the first time at Camelback Ranch in Thursday's spring training opener between the Dodgers and Cubs.

  --Field Level Media

Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony was scratched from Boston's lineup Friday with right elbow soreness.

• Manager Alex Cora said the move is a precaution after Anthony was hit by a pitch in the right elbow on Thursday, and he might be back after sitting out Boston's spring training exhibition opener against Northeastern.

  Anthony was slated to hit leadoff and play left field with Boston's "Big Three" prospects in the top three spots in the batting order. Second baseman Kristian Campbell and shortstop Marcelo Mayer remained in the lineup Friday.

  "He's sore," Cora said, 20 minutes after Anthony arrived to take batting practice.

  The No. 2 prospect in baseball, Anthony was replaced by Trayce Thompson. A spring training non-roster invitee, Thompson has played seven seasons with five teams prior to joining the Red Sox.

  Anthony, 20, was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft. Baseball Prospectus ranks him first among all MLB prospects with Major League Baseball Pipeline and Baseball America ranking Anthony second.

  In parts of three minor league seasons, he has a combined .284 batting average with 32 home runs, 141 RBIs and 38 stolen bases in 245 games.

  --Field Level Media

Bring the beards back to the Bronx.

• Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner declared "well groomed beards" would be permitted in declaring an end to the franchise's longstanding policy that allowed mustaches but not beards or unruly sideburns.

  "In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees - spanning several eras - to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback," Steinbrenner said Friday morning in a statement. "These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

  The policy on player appearance includes the length of their mane -- stating "hair cannot touch the uniform collar" -- and came about in 1976. When George Steinbrenner died in 2010, his daughter and Yankees managing partner, Jennifer, insisted the team's rule not be changed.

  A generational shift that came too late for infamously shaggy stars such as Johnny Damon and Randy Johnson takes effect immediately.

  Ironic timing or part of a plan as Steinbrenner claimed, there is at least one current Yankees player who appreciates the razor relief. New closer Devin Williams reported to Tampa with the goatee look he's had for several years. When the topic of the facial hair policy came up, Williams was coy and said only "we'll see" when pressed on his plans for altering his appearance.

  --Field Level Media

ESPN and Major League Baseball will no longer be partners following the 2025 season as the sides agreed to mutually opt out of their broadcast contract Thursday.

• MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a memo to clubs that was obtained by The Athletic, in which he confirmed ESPN had asked the league to "reduce the amount (ESPN) pay for MLB content over the remainder of the term." MLB put that on the record in a statement released Thursday night.

  "Unfortunately in recent years, we have seen ESPN scale back their baseball coverage and investment in a way that is not consistent with the sport's appeal or performance on their platform," the statement said in part. "Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement.

  "... The positive energy around the sport has also led to significant interest from both traditional media companies and streaming services who would like to obtain rights to MLB games. We will be exploring those opportunities for a new agreement which would start in the 2026 season following the conclusion of ESPN's agreement at the end of this year."

  ESPN's current deal, which was scheduled to run through the 2028 season, was for seven years and $550 million annually. It featured Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby and wild-card games. But Apple and Roku have since negotiated slimmer packages of games for less cash.

  MLB did not want to renegotiate, and the league felt ESPN wasn't doing enough to promote baseball on its platforms.

  "Furthermore, we have not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN's platforms over the past several years outside of the actual live game coverage," Manfred wrote in his memo.

  "While ESPN has stated they would like to continue to have MLB on their platform, particularly in light of the upcoming launch of their DTC product, we do not think it's beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform. In order to best position MLB to optimize our rights going in to our next deal cycle, we believe it is not prudent to devalue our rights with an existing partner but rather to have our marquee regular season games, Home Run Derby and Wild Card playoff round on a new broadcast and/or streaming platform."

  ESPN released a statement Thursday night confirming the mutual opt-out.

  "We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," the statement said. "In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN's industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms. As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025."

  MLB's other main broadcast partner on linear TV is Fox. Comcast (NBC) and Paramount (CBS) may have interest in working with the league, while Amazon and Netflix are potential streamers to join Apple and Roku as Manfred eyes a larger streaming package for 2028.

  --Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Pirates are signing starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, according to reports.

• It is expected to be a one-year, $5 million deal with incentives, per ESPN.

  The 33-year-old left-hander owns a career 4.45 ERA across 11 seasons. During the 2024 campaign, he recorded a 4.28 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, and 159 strikeouts across 32 appearances for the Texas Rangers. He threw 160 innings, which was his biggest workload since 2018.

  Last season, he ranked in the 86th percentile in offspeed run value. His changeup was particularly effective, being credited with a run value of +4.

  Heaney represents the Pirates' most significant offseason addition to date. His $5 million total contract value is tied for their highest mark this offseason with returning designated hitter Andrew McCutchen.

  Heaney will add a veteran presence to a starting rotation headlined by reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.

  --Field Level Media

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller was struck in the head by a 106-mph comebacker during Thursday's spring training opener in Phoenix but walked off the field on his own.

• Facing the Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch in the top of the third inning, Miller couldn't get his glove up in time to avoid taking Busch's drive off his right temple and immediately went to the ground, clutching his face and head. He was able to get on one knee while being tended to by the training staff before leaving the field.

  "Certainly a very scary moment," manager Dave Roberts told SportsNet LA. "From what I've gathered, he's going to be under concussion protocol. We'll keep an eye on him tonight. I don't know what that means as far as going forward. Certainly it's somewhat of a setback.

  "We've got to make sure that he feels OK going forward. I don't know how long this protocol lasts. But it was good to see him walk off the field, know where he was at, and all that."

  A candidate for the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation, Miller remained in the dugout until the inning ended, then walked to the clubhouse sporting a large welt on the right side of his forehead.

  "It's always very terrifying and frightening," teammate Max Muncy told reporters. "Thankfully, he seemed like he was OK. When the trainer came out and asked him if he knew where he was at, he made a little joke about hanging a curveball. Right then, you kind of knew he was fine.

  "Obviously you have to take it slow with that type of thing. He might be fine now, but you've got to see how he is the next couple of days. I think he's doing OK."

  Miller, who turns 26 on April 5, burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2023, finishing 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts, but was limited to 13 starts in 2024 due to injuries and inconsistency and finished 2-4 with an 8.52 ERA. The Dodgers' first-round pick in the 2020 draft didn't pitch in the playoffs for the 2024 World Series champions.

  --Field Level Media

The Miami Marlins claimed right-hander Seth Martinez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

• The Diamondbacks designated Martinez, 30, for assignment on Monday when they agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Kendall Graveman to a one-year contract.

  Martinez has pitched parts of four seasons for the Houston Astros (2021-24), including a career-high 44 games in relief last season when he went 3-2 with one save, a 3.59 ERA, 18 walks and 36 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.

  He is a career 6-6 with two saves, a 3.93 ERA, 54 walks and 122 strikeouts in 137 1/3 innings in 111 relief appearances.

  The Astros waived him and the Diamondbacks claimed him on Nov. 4.

  --Field Level Media

After signing a 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason with the New York Mets, star outfielder Juan Soto had another number in mind.

• He wanted to keep wearing No. 22, but Mets third baseman Brett Baty already had those digits.

  Soto thanked Baty for switching to No. 7 with a surprise on Thursday, gifting him a 2025 Chevy Tahoe at the team's spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The SUV's rear window was painted with "Thanks for No. 22," and even had a big red ribbon on the hood like in television commercials.

  "It's all yours," Soto, 26, told Baty in a video of the presentation posted on the Mets' social media accounts. "You can drive it and everything."

  Baty, 25, hugged and thanked Soto.

  "I really appreciate the number," Soto told Baty in the video. "It's the first one I ever wore."

  The exchange follows a history in professional sports of star players rewarding a new teammate for giving up his jersey number. For example, when superstar Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023, he delivered a new Porsche to pitcher Joe Kelly and his wife, Ashley, for giving up No. 17.

  Soto batted .288 last year with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and an American League-leading 128 runs scored in 157 regular-season games in his lone season with the New York Yankees. He also batted .327 with four homers and nine RBIs in 14 playoff games in helping the Yankees reach the World Series against the eventual champion Dodgers.

  For his career, Soto is a .285 hitter with 201 homers, 592 RBIs, a .532 slugging percentage and a .421 on-base percentage which leads all active major leaguers. He has played 936 regular-season games for the Washington Nationals (2018-22) -- winning the World Series in 2019 -- San Diego Padres (2022-23) and Yankees.

  The Mets selected Baty 12th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. He batted .229 last season with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 50 games. He is a career .215 hitter with 15 homers and 55 RBIs in 169 games over parts of three seasons (2022-24). He is due to earn a reported $800,000 in 2025.

  --Field Level Media

Former Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Scott Sauerbeck died, the team announced on Thursday. He was 53.

• While the team did not provide details on Sauerbeck's passing, Pittsburgh Baseball Now said he suffered a fatal heart attack in his Florida home on Tuesday.

  "The Pirates family mourns the passing of Scott Sauerbeck," the team wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Scott played for the Bucs from 1999-2003 and shares the club record for most games pitched by a LHP in one season. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

  Sauerbeck was selected by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 MLB amateur draft from Miami (Ohio). He made his debut five years later with the Pirates, with whom he posted a 19-15 record with five saves and a 3.56 ERA in 341 career games.

  Sauerbeck was traded to the Boston Red Sox during the 2003 season before continuing his career with the Cleveland franchise (2005-06) and Oakland Athletics (2016). He was 20-17 with five saves and a 3.82 ERA in 471 career relief appearances.

  --Field Level Media

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2027 season, the team announced Thursday.

• Financial terms were not disclosed by the team for Boone, who is entering his eighth year as manager of the Yankees.

  The Yankees exercised the 2025 club option on his contract on Nov. 8.

  Boone, 51, is 603-429 since taking over in 2018 and has reached the playoffs six times in seven seasons. In 2024, New York captured its first American League pennant since 2009 and lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the World Series.

  Boone is the third Yankees manager to make the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons with the club, joining Casey Stengel (also six of first seven) and Joe Torre (each of first 12).

  New York had the best record in the American League last season at 94-68 and won the AL East for the third time in Boone's tenure (2019 and 2022).

  Boone was named the 33rd manager in Yankees history on Dec. 4, 2017.

  --Field Level Media

Yankees prospect Chase Hampton is dealing with a right flexor strain and a right ulnar collateral ligament issue in his pitching arm and had to be sent to New York for testing, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Wednesday.

• Hampton left the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla., after feeling discomfort during a bullpen session last Friday. Boone said that the right-hander has "something going on" in his UCL, and the Yankees' skipper is waiting to get more information about the injury.

  "We'll see what we have here, but just having an uneven season last year with some injuries, I know he's pretty bummed about that," Boone said.

  The 23-year-old Hampton, New York's No. 2 pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline, made only seven minor league starts in 2024 due to a right flexor strain and a lower-body injury. He made it as far as Double-A, where he took the mound twice for the Somerset Patriots.

  Last season with Somerset, Hampton logged 5 2/3 innings. He didn't allow any runs, struck out four and never came away with a decision.

  A sixth-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2022, Hampton has gone 4-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 27 starts in the minors.

  New York begins its spring-training schedule on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

  --Field Level Media

The Washington Nationals signed veteran right-hander Lucas Sims to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

• Terms were not released by the team but The Washington Post said it's worth $3 million.

  "His fastball's up in the mid-to-upper 90s, his slider's really, really effective," Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "We've got to get him in the zone. The biggest key is the walks. But we feel like we can help him and he can do that. He's not afraid, I can tell you that right now."

  To make room for Sims on the 40-man roster, the Nationals transferred right-hander Mason Thompson to the 60-day injured list. Thompson had Tommy John surgery in March 2024.

  Sims, 30, went 1-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 58 relief appearances last year for Cincinnati and Boston, which acquired him at the trade deadline in July.

  Sims is 22-19 with a 4.50 ERA and 12 saves in 245 career games (14 starts) with Atlanta (2017-18), Reds (2018-24) and Red Sox.

  --Field Level Media

Shota Imanaga said he doesn't take lightly the "honor" of being named Opening Day starter for the Chicago Cubs on March 18 in Tokyo.

• Imanaga is expected to oppose countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers in the first of a two-game set labeled the Tokyo Series.

  "It's a great honor," Imanaga said on Wednesday of the nod, communicated through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. "I have to say, though, that the reason that the Japanese players are getting a lot of attention is because of all the players in the past that came before us who created this path for all the Japanese players. We are walking on their history. I want to say thank you to all of them. And I'm very excited."

  Imanaga was named to the National League All-Star team in his first year in the big leagues last season. He finished 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 29 starts for the Cubs and was a top-five finisher in the NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year voting.

  "They're (probably) starting Yamamoto. We're starting Shota," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "I think the fan interest -- world-wide fan interest -- is going to be off the charts. I think it's an awesome thing, just for the game of baseball."

  Manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers watched closely as Yamamoto threw his latest bullpen session on Wednesday, then named him the starter for the spring training opener against the Cubs on Thursday.

  Roberts said Yamamoto is "considerably ahead of where he was last year" in his first MLB season, which also began with a start in Japan. He was pulled after one inning and gave up five earned runs, taking the loss against the Padres.

  National League MVP Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers is one of several Japanese stars on the rosters of the two teams. In addition to Imanaga, the Cubs feature outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Los Angeles signed Roki Sasaki, one of the top free agents on the market in the offseason. Roberts said last week he will likely use Sasaki in the second game of the series in Tokyo.

  Suzuki, who lamented declining youth baseball participation in Japan, said he was at Tokyo Dome as a 9-year-old when Hideki Matsui hit a home run for the Yankees in the opening series of the 2004 season.

  --Field Level Media

The Colorado Rockies signed left-hander Scott Alexander to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

• Financial terms were not released by the club but MLB.com reported it's a $2 million deal.

  To make room on their 40-man roster, the Rockies designated utility infielder Aaron Schunk for assignment.

  Alexander, 35, went 1-3 with a 2.56 ERA in 45 relief appearances last season for the Oakland A's. He missed time with a ribcage injury and shoulder tendinitis.

  Alexander is 20-15 with a 3.20 ERA in 328 career games (13 starts) for four teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers (2018-21).

  Schunk, 27, made his major league debut last June and batted .234 with two home runs, seven RBIs and 14 runs in 39 games last season. Schunk appeared in 16 games at second base, 13 at third base and another four at shortstop.

  --Field Level Media

Willson Contreras is casting a broader shadow in St. Louis Cardinals' camp this spring, physical modifications resulting from a weight-room regimen he adopted to bulk up for a move to first base.

• And he has huge shoes to fill for the second time.

  He approved a move to first base, where the Cardinals are trying to fill the void created by Paul Goldschmidt's departure. Contreras jumped from division rival Chicago to take over for the retiring Yadier Molina in 2023.

  "It feels totally different, but I do like feeling like I have more time to do other stuff, and I'm not so rushed," Contreras said of being freed of time-consuming catching elements, from studying individual hitters on video to memorizing scouting reports and situational data on every batter.

  To be ready for a greater run-producing role in the St. Louis lineup, Contreras remade his physique as he enters his third season since joining the Cardinals as a free agent. He last played first base in 2019 with the Cubs -- just two games -- and showed up early to Jupiter, Fla., to get extra reps with infield coach Stubby Clapp.

  "He's been working hard at it," Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said of Contreras, who rotated taking grounders at first with converted outfielder Alec Burleson on Tuesday.

  The longtime catcher tipped the scales at 247 pounds, around 12 to 15 pounds over his previous reporting weight and 35 pounds above younger brother William Contreras' listed 212 with the Brewers.

  "I was joking with my brother and I said, 'I'm going to hit 62 [home runs] this year,'" Willson Contreras, 32, said.

  Contreras, 32, won't talk about his actual home run goals, but he doesn't mind sharing he wants to be in the lineup every day. He's accustomed to picking the ball out of the dirt, and Clapp said the converted catcher's footwork is better around the bag than some might have expected. Contreras, re-energized despite the restructured lineup, is also listening for naysayers.

  "I've seen (what people) say about my defense at first base, or this and that," Contreras said. "But people are gonna say whatever they're gonna say. I don't give a (expletive). I'm the one here doing my work -- putting in my stuff -- and I know what I'm able to do."

  Contreras has never hit more than 24 home runs in a season. Goldschmidt hit 22 last season and 25 in 2023, but was over 30 seven times from 2013-22.

  Sidelined multiple games when J.D. Martinez fractured his left forearm on a swing and when he suffered a fractured right finger when hit by a pitch thrown by Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Contreras played 84 games in 2024 and hit 15 home runs.

  "I feel relaxed, I feel confident," Contreras said.

  --Field Level Media

A tap of the cap or helmet has new meaning in 2025 spring training games.

• In more than 55 percent of spring training games over the next six weeks, Major League Baseball is employing the Automated Ball-Strike System, granting each team two challenges of called balls or strikes in real time.

  Reviews triggered by a batter, catcher or pitcher must be made immediately after the home plate umpire calls or signals ball or strike. Managers and players in the dugout cannot call for a review.

  Once prompted, the review, or a digitalized replay common on broadcasts, is shown to the umpire and replicated on stadium video boards using Hawk-Eye Technology. Viewers of broadcast feeds will also see the same replay, according to MLB, which said its research revealed that a strike zone challenge typically added 17 seconds to a game.

  When used during minor league games in 2024, 51 percent of player-requested challenges were successful, meaning the original ball or strike call was overturned.

  ABS uses precise measurements -- home plate 17 inches wide, top of the strike zone 53 percent of a batter's height, bottom of the zone is 23 percent of a batter's height -- to overlay a laser-like digitized strike zone in a not-for-broadcast tracker of every pitch. When a challenge is granted, the replay of the tracker is shown instantly.

  Biomechanical analysis of team height measurements were confirmed by the Southwest Research Institute to provide exact player dimensions with a goal of a precisely uniform strike zone for every batter. The depth of the zone, often the source of questioning of balls and strikes on offspeed and breaking pitches, is flat and uniform for every batter: 8.5 inches from the front and back of the plate.

  The system was used in the Independent Atlantic League in 2019. Starting in 2023, most Triple-A stadiums were outfitted with the technology for fully automated balls and strikes, or robo umps, and the ABS challenge system MLB opted to trial this spring.

  Root systems of the technology are widely known for the application within Statcast products to track ball flight, pitch location, type and speed, bat speed, exit velocity and distance a batted ball travels.

  The ABS challenge system will also be used in the minor leagues in 2025. There is no plan to quickly adopt challenges for ball-strike calls for the 2025 MLB regular season.

  Unless MLB adds technology during spring training, there are 13 ballparks equipped with required tech and video replay pairings to participate in the challenge system trial and 10 sites that won't be involved.

  In the Grapefruit League, these Florida spring training sites are planning to use the challenge system: TD Ballpark (Blue Jays), BayCare Ballpark (Phillies), George M. Steinbrenner Field (Yankees), Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium (Tigers), LECOM Park (Pirates), Hammond Stadium (Twins), Clover Park (Mets) and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (Cardinals and Marlins).

  In Arizona, the Cactus League sites ready for ball-strike challenges are the Peoria Sports Complex (Padres, Mariners) Salt River Fields (Diamondbacks, Rockies), Camelback Ranch (Dodgers, White Sox), Surprise Stadium (Rangers, Royals) and Goodyear Ballpark (Guardians, Reds).

  --Field Level Media

The cost to turn George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., into a major league facility will exceed $50 million, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said.

• The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 regular-season schedule at the complex -- the training and spring facility of the New York Yankees -- after being left without a home stadium. Hurricane Milton tore the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Oct. 9, leaving about $56 million in repairs that are expected to take at least the entire 2025 season to complete.

  The price for improvements at Steinbrenner Field for the Rays don't include the undisclosed millions of dollars the Yankees paid to upgrade their spring and training facilities.

  At the conclusion of spring training, the Yankees will turn over the facility to the Rays, who will benefit from the changes that were in progress before the hurricane hit. Those include added square footage for weight rooms, training areas and dining, as well as areas for player use.

  The hurricane kicked off uncertainty about where the Rays will play in the future. A planned stadium in St. Petersburg's historic Gas Plant District now appears to be up in the air, and there is no guarantee that city-owned Tropicana Field will be ready for play in 2026.

  In the meantime, Manfred said Tuesday that MLB is grateful the Yankees have come through to assist the Rays, their American League East rival.

  "The industry owes (Yankees principal owner) Hal Steinbrenner a real debt of gratitude, a ton of credit for the approach he took," Manfred said. "He put literally tens of millions of dollars into improving Steinbrenner Field. The first people who are going to get to use it for any period of time is the Rays. That support for the industry, that collegiality is really an important thing."

  The Yankees will make two trips this season to Tampa to play the Rays in the 11,000-seat ballpark, both times occupying the upgraded clubhouse of the visitors (April 17-20 and Aug. 19-20).

  The Athletics, meantime, also will be playing in a minor league ballpark this season. They are awaiting construction of a stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, expected in 2028, and will play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., after leaving their longtime home in Oakland.

  Manfred said Tuesday the bills aren't done coming in yet for major league renovations in Sacramento.

  --Field Level Media

Three weeks into the 2025 regular season, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews will head to Pittsburgh to face former college teammate Paul Skenes, the much more familiar face of LSU baseball.

• Skenes, the power pitcher selected No. 1 ahead of Crews in a mildly debated pick in the 2023 draft, made his arrival last season in a dominant debut with the Pirates. He started the All-Star Game for the National League and was named Rookie of the Year. Teammates for one season in Baton Rouge and twice on Team USA rosters, Crews and Skenes are friends, former workout partners and soon-to-be foes.

  They're also destined to be measured against each other -- and other gems -- from the 2023 draft class being hailed as potential all-time great collection of talent.

  It appeared their first matchup would take place late last season. Crews smacked a 404-foot home run in a doubleheader with Skenes in the home dugout on Sept. 7, but that was as close as they got to a head-to-head encounter.

  "You hear about it, but whenever that is, we'll be ready for it," Crews said.

  Skenes' turn in the Pirates' rotation would put the former Tigers face-to-face at PNC Park in the afternoon finale of a four-game series April 17.

  Crews, 22, emphasized staying "present" and walking his baseball journey one step at a time. That blocks him from envisioning official at-bats against Skenes that are no closer than two months away.

  He debuted with the Nationals on Aug. 24, 2024. Crews hit .218 with three home runs, 12 stolen bases and eight RBIs with the Nationals last season. In his final series of 2024, he went 6-for-10 -- highlighted by a triple off righty Aaron Nola -- with three runs, two stolen bases and two walks against the Phillies.

  In 2025, he'll be fully prepared to go from 31 games to everyday right fielder in Washington. He said knowing what to expect brings comfort and confidence.

  "I feel like this year, I have a good feeling of what to do and how the whole thing operates. Now, it's just full go from here," Crews said.

  Nationals manager Dave Martinez played in the outfield, so he knows a good one when he sees one. He called Crews' defense "exceptional" and praised his base-running instincts and speed. Crews had 12 stolen bases in just over one month with the MLB club.

  He also came to camp noticeable thicker. Crews said he was around 190 when he got the call last August and weighed 205 when he reported to spring training in West Palm Beach.

  Crews is part of a fast-moving current of prospects in camp with the Nationals. MLB Pipeline ranked Crews fourth behind Roki Sasaki (Dodgers) and outfielders Roman Anthony (Red Sox) and Walker Jenkins (Twins). Washington right-handers Travis Sykora (70) and Jarlin Susana (79) are also listed among the top 80 prospects in the league.

  Measuring the results of the draft decision between Skenes and Crews won't be a single-season exercise. There are others angling to join the conversation from the same class. No. 4 pick Wyatt Langford (Rangers) hit 16 home runs and collected 126 hits for Texas as a rookie last season.

  Jenkins, the fifth pick in 2023 out of South Brunswick (North Carolina) High School, was taken two spots behind outfielder Max Clark. Clark came off the board a pick after Crews and is two spots behind him on the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings. The 13th pick in '23, Matt Shaw (Maryland), is the frontrunner for the Cubs third base job on Opening Day. White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, acquired from the Red Sox and the No. 14 pick, is also expected to make noise in the Windy City. Georgia Tech shortstop Kristian Campbell (pick 132) is pushing for a job with the Red Sox this season. He's currently ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline.

  "That class has been really special," Martinez said in September. "I'm glad that we've got one of them in Dylan Crews. I think this kid is going to be really special."

  --Field Level Media

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was willing to move to left field if it meant bringing back longtime teammate Alex Bregman, but those days are done in Houston.

• Without Bregman, the Astros are moving forward with a spring training trial of Altuve in left field. He's taking fly balls with outfielders and working at his typical spot, second base.

  Houston did reach agreement on a minor league deal with second baseman Brendan Rodgers, the player selected third overall and one spot behind Bregman in the 2015 MLB Draft. A defensive whiz at second who won a Gold Glove with the Rockies in 2022, Rodgers is a former top prospect in the Colorado system. He was non-tendered at the end of last season, when he hit .267 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 135 games.

  Astros manager Joe Espada said it was premature to disclose any plans for the season and he doesn't want to make Altuve's spot in the field a matter of daily discourse.

  "He will play some second base. Right now, it's one day at a time," Espada said. "I want to get some feedback from him before we discuss where we're going to go next, but he will play some second base."

  Rodgers played only second base in Colorado the past three seasons but has 36 career games played at shortstop.

  Houston added third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December. If Altuve is used in the outfield or as a designated hitter on a given day, utility infielder Mauricio Dubon could be in the mix at second along with Luis Guillorme, who signed with the Astros last week, and Rodgers. Paredes was used at first, second and shortstop in 2022 and 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays but didn't make an appearance at the middle infield positions in 2024 with the Rays and Cubs.

  Bregman signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox and is working through a perceived tug-of-war at third base with All-Star Rafael Devers. Red Sox manager Alex Cora downplayed reports that tensions were simmering between the two, sparked when Devers said he wasn't moving to a new position on Monday.

  Altuve, 34, has spent his entire career with Houston since making his major league debut in July 2011 at age 21. A Gold Glove winner in 2015, he is the active major league leader with 1,765 games at second base, including 1,749 starts. He has played in two games at shortstop for a total of six innings.

  History is on the Astros' side, having once moved Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio to the outfield to make room for Jeff Kent.

  Espada said prior to spring training that Altuve is capable of playing outfield.

  "He's so athletic, and he can do some things on the baseball field that a lot of people can't do," Espada said. "If we get there, we'll have that conversation with him. He wants to do whatever it takes to win. It's important to us. I think he's a cornerstone on this team. He's the heart of the organization. He understands that, but when we get to that point, we'll have that conversation with him."

  --Field Level Media

The Boston Red Sox signed veteran right-hander Adam Ottavino to a minor league contract on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

• This will be Ottavino's second stint with the Red Sox. In 2021, he went 7-3 with a 4.21 ERA and 11 saves in 69 relief appearances.

  Now 39, Ottavino gives Boston another arm to fortify its bullpen.

  "We're still trying to get better," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We've been talking about it the last few days. I think the front office, they've done enough, they've been working. The more, the better."

  Ottavino departed as a free agent after the 2021 campaign and spent the past three seasons with the New York Mets. He had a career-best 12 saves in 2023.

  "It helps that I've been here before, and I know (Cora) and I know the trainers and a lot of people in the organization," Ottavino said. "So if I'm in a situation to make a club, I'll be given a little more grace initially, since I've been inside the past few months. And also, the upside of the team, you know, it's really good."

  Over 14 seasons, Ottavino is 41-43 with a 3.49 ERA and 46 saves in 721 relief appearances and three starts.

  --Field Level Media

Rafael Devers turned the hot corner into hot topic material before Alex Bregman had time to back out of a perceived territorial dispute with the Boston Red Sox.

• Devers emphatically stated Monday he believes third base is his position in response to whether he was comfortable playing elsewhere to make room for the newly signed Bregman.

  "I think everybody here believes in their abilities," Bregman said Tuesday. "I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season, we have a really good chance of being a winning baseball team. I can only talk for myself but I'll play wherever helps the team win."

  Bregman, a Gold Glove-winning third baseman with the Houston Astros, signed with the Red Sox earlier this month without consideration as to what position he would play. His relationship with manager Alex Cora underscored they would both have the team's best interest at heart wherever the Red Sox decide to use their best nine.

  It's realistic to presume top prospect Kristian Campbell is part of the equation when Cora pencils in his starting lineup on Opening Day. Campbell, 22, said Monday he is working out exclusively at second base. Rated the No. 7 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Campbell has also played the outfield. He hit .330 with 20 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 32 doubles in 115 games across three levels of the Red Sox farm system in 2024.

  "(Everyone) saw last year how special of a player he is," Bregman said of Campbell, who was primarily a second baseman as a freshman in his only season at Georgia Tech.

  Bregman and Devers were alongside others at Cora's rental house for dinner on Monday night, dispelling reports of simmering drama between All-Stars. Cora added to the opinion that all is well with the infielders after watching Devers receive constructive feedback from Bregman during glove work on the practice field earlier Monday.

  "I'm super excited to just be his teammate. He's a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning," Bregman said. "Whatever it takes to help the team win, that's all I'm focused on. I'll play wherever A.C. (Alex Cora) tells me to play."

  Campbell was drafted 132nd overall by the Red Sox in 2023 -- a selection Boston was granted as compensation for losing Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency -- and last year was named the top hitter in the minor leagues.

  --Field Level Media