AL East: Yankees hope to have a spring in their step again

NEW YORK YANKEES

á In: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avilan

After a big league-record 30 players went on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, health remains a concern. Lefthander James Paxton (back) is expected to be sidelined until May or June. Centre-fielder Aaron Hicks (Tommy John surgery) is not expected back until June or July ... Right-hander Domingo Germán, who went 18-4 last year, will serve the final 63 games of an 81-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

á In: OF Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, OF Hunter Renfroe, 1B-OF Jose

Martinez, 1B-OF Brian O’Grady, OF Randy Arozarena.

Tampa Bay has an overpowering trio atop the rotation in Charlie Morton, 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow ... Manager Kevin Cash, often clever in his bullpen management, has decisions to make, including whether Emilio Pagan or perhaps Jose Alvarado or Nick Anderson will be the primary closer. Eleven different pitchers earned saves last season.

BOSTON RED SOX

á In: OF Alex Verdugo, RHP Brusdar Graterol, C Kevin Plawecki, C Jett Bandy, RHP R.J. Alvarez, 2B Jose Peraza, LHP Martín Perez, RHP Josh Osich, LHP Matt Hall, RHP Austin Brice.

The Red Sox have made major changes after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015, and they aren’t necessarily aimed at improving in 2020. The team this week agreed to send Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers in a salary dump ... They should get under the $208 million luxury tax threshold ... Now the Sox just need a manager after Alex Cora was fired for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

á In: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, RHP Tanner Roark, RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Shun Yamaguchi, RHP Anthony Bass, INF Travis Shaw, INF Joe Panik, INF Ruben Tejada, C Caleb Joseph, RHP Justin Miller, RHP A.J. Cole.

Ryu gives Toronto a boost in the rotation as it tries to climb back toward competitiveness after the club’s worst season in four decades. Ryu was the NL

Cy Young Award runner-up last year.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

á In: SS Jose Iglesias, INF Pat Valaika, INF Richard Ureña, RHP Brandon Bailey, RHP Kohl Stewart, RHP Travis Lakins, RHP Michael Rucker, RHP Kohl Stewart, RHP Cole Sulser.

After finishing 49 games behind the first-place Yankees, GM Mike Elias is intent upon fortifying the farm system and loading up the big league team with youthful, inexpensive talent, an agenda that led to the trades of Jonathan Villar and Dylan Bundy for prospects ... The biggest question mark at camp will be how Chris Davis fares in his effort to bounce back from another horrid season (.179, 12 HRs, 36 RBIs). Davis still has three years left on a $161 million (U.S.) contract.