Lincecum signs with Rangers
Former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum agreed to a one- year deal with the Rangers.
The 33- year- old right- hander last pitched in 2016, going 2- 6 with a 9.16 ERA in nine starts with the Angels.
He won the Cy Young in 2008 and 2009, made four All- Star teams by age 27 and was a part of three World Series championships with the Giants. But his velocity and effectiveness gradually diminished, in large part because of a series of injuries.
He threw no- hitters against the Padres in 2013 and 2014 but logged a mere 15 starts for San Francisco in 2015.
Napoli returning to Indians
Free- agent slugger Mike Napoli agreed to a minor- league contract to return with the Indians. Napoli spent 2016 with the Indians and helped the club get to the World Series. Indians manager Terry Francona said the club is bringing in Napoli to give him a chance to showcase his skills to other teams in spring games.
Union files grievance
The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance to MLB, claiming that four teams — the Rays, Pirates, Athletics and Marlins — have not spent revenue- sharing money in the fashion intended by the collective bargaining agreement.
It is the first official salvo fired in a rancorous winter in which high- profile free agents have encountered a depressed market for their services, leaving dozens of veterans unemployed as spring training enters its third week.
Jays ace might miss opener
Marcus Stroman, the Blue Jays’ No. 1 starter, might not be ready for a presumed openingday start after he was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation. Stroman, who led Blue Jays starters with 13 wins, a 3.09 ERA and 201 innings pitched in 2017, experienced tightness and discomfort during a recent bullpen session.
Judge, Stanton to get first crack
Sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will be in the Yankees’ lineup together for the first time in Wednesday’s game against the Tigers. Judge will get one or two at- bats as the designated hitter in his first game since offseason left shoulder surgery, while Stanton will play right field.
Cespedes, de Gromgo on shelf
The Mets’ injury report is getting longer.
Slugger Yoenis Cespedes and Jacob deGrom were added to the team’s medical updates list. Cespedes is dealing with mild shoulder soreness and is considered day- to- day, and deGrom has lower back stiffness.
Ex- GMturns down kidney
As he battles kidney failure, former Yankees general manager Bob Watson reportedly has turned down offers of a new kidney fromhis children. Watson, 71, played 19 seasons in the majors, including 14 with the Astros, and was a two- time All- Star.