Spring training to start on time, managers told

Big league managers say Major League Baseball instructed them to prepare for spring training to start on time in mid-february despite COVID-19 uncertainty. A virus vaccine likely will be made available to teams in 2021, but no team has said it will mandate vaccines for players.

■ Angels: Free-agent reliever Alex Claudio agreed to a one-year, $1.125 million deal. The 28-year-old left-hander had 239 appearances over the past four seasons, ranking as the majors’ third-busiest pitcher in that stretch. He has a 3.44 ERA in 311 2/3 innings over seven major league seasons.

■ Rays: Free-agent catcher Mike Zunino returned on a one-year, $3 million deal with a club option worth up to $7 million for 2022. The 29-year-old 2012 first-round draft pick has batted .200 with three years of at least 20 home runs in eight major league seasons.

■ Jurisprudence: Eleven-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop

Omar Vizquel, 53, was accused of domestic abuse by his wife, Blanca, 36, who alleged multiple instances of physical violence from the three-time All-star, The Athletic reported.

■ ABL: Twelve-time All-star Manny Ramirez is to play this season starting Thursday with the Sydney Blue Sox. The 48-year-old played in China and Japan after his MLB career ended in 2011.

■ Giants: Free-agent righthander Anthony Desclafani signed a one-year, $6 million deal. The 30-year-old is 37-39 with a 4.29 ERA over six major league seasons, five with Cincinnati.