TEst 4

Jed Hoyer let us sit in with him as his Cubs played in the Cactus League this week. Our question: What is a front-office executive looking for?

Left-hander Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox have signed a five-year contract extension. The $145 million deal also includes an opt-out after three years and a vesting sixth-year option worth at least $20 million, sources told ESPN.

Lee Mazzilli, who is serving as a guest hitting instructor at Yankees camp, was released from the hospital on Friday, two days after he was struck in the head by a ball during batting practice.

Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jason Kipnis will not be ready for Thursday's Opening Day game against the Twins, the team announced.

Alex Bregman's decision to sign a long-term contract with the Astros was not impacted by the second slow free-agent market.

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is due to be a free agent after the 2019 season.

The Milwaukee Brewers' vaunted bullpen is set to begin the season missing a few of its most important pieces.

Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured his groin while fielding a grounder Friday against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.

Of the top 30 players in baseball, five have signed extensions this week alone. But a few factors help make Chris Sale's deal unique.

There is no timetable for Athletics first baseman Matt Olson's return following hand surgery.

Reds All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett injured a leg while fielding a grounder against Milwaukee and was helped off the field.

Jack McKeon, serving as a special adviser to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, will spend the season in Washington. He'll help minor league managers and coaches, and he'll evaluate prospects.

Seattle outfielder Eric Filia, the Mariners' No. 22 prospect, has been suspended 100 games following a third positive drug test. Kansas City pitcher Jon Perrin and Boston pitcher Chase Shugart were suspended 50 games for positive drug tests.

Four-time All-Star Matt Wieters has made the Cardinals' major league roster, earning the backup job behind catcher Yadier Molina.

Several Yankees hitters say the biggest difference they see with MLB's factory-rubbed baseball prototypes is that the new balls are darker in color.

Left-hander Chris Sale and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a contract extension, pending a physical next week, league sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Reds sent Nick Senzel, their top prospect, to the minor leagues on Friday -- and the decision did not sit well with Joel Wolfe, Senzel's agent. "This is a shortsighted move that may be frugal now but could cost them dearly later," Wolfe said.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona took his first plunge from 2 miles up last week, and liked it so much he took an Indians crew with him for another skydive on Thursday.

Luis Patino is only 19, but the righty could be pushing for a spot in the majors sooner than expected. Which other prospects impressed during a recent scouting trip to Arizona?

The wave of recent extensions has put millions of dollars in players' pockets. But the teams wouldn't be doling out these deals unless they are great business decisions.