Union head guarded in Machado deal remarks

Major League Baseball players union head Tony Clark is guarding against drawing conclusions about the free-agent market based on Manny Machado’s contract and said Adam Wainwright’s comments about a possible strike were in line with the level of concern he hears from the pitcher’s colleagues.

Clark said he is “curious” why Machado’s 10-year, $300 million deal took so long to finalize. He said players will honor the current collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2021.

Rangers: Left-hander Mike Minor will start on Opening Day, manager Chris Woodward said. The 31-year-old went 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 starts in 2018, a year removed from missing two seasons after surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Media: Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo, who covered the Red Sox for more than three decades, died Thursday after collapsing from an embolism outside the team’s clubhouse in Fort Myers, Florida. He was 62.

Indians: Free-agent reliever Tyler Clippard, 34, a two-time All-star right-hander, agreed to a minor league contract that would be worth $2.5 million if he makes Cleveland’s 40-man roster.

Phillies: Free-agent third baseman Trevor Plouffe, 32, agreed to a minor league contract that would be worth $750,000 if he is added to Philadelphia’s 40man roster.

Dodgers: The team will honor pitching great Don Newcombe, who died Tuesday at 92, with a commemorative No. 36 uniform patch this season.