2014 – It’s only the first day of Cactus League games, but A’s OF Josh Reddick is already in mid-season form. He twice robs the Giants’ Mike Morse of home runs with spectacular catches over the fence in right field at Scottsdale Stadium.

2014 – The Orioles sign free agent OF Nelson Cruz for one year at $8 million.

2014 – Two men plead guilty to the brutal attack in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on fan Bryan Stow that left him permanently disabled following a Giants-Dodgers contest on Opening Day in 2011. The two are sentenced to four and eight years in prison, minus time served but face additional charges for weapons possession. A suit against former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt for failing to provide adequate security in the parking lot is also still pending.

Avoiding arbitration, Homer Bailey (11-12, 3.49) and the Reds agree to a $105 million, six-year deal, including a $25 million mutual option for 2020. The 27 year-old starter from Texas, the author of two major league no-hitters, will continue to be part of Cincinnati’s young rotation that includes Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake, and southpaw Tony Cingrani, who are all under the age of 30.

2014 – The Orioles significantly improve their pitching staff as they sign free agent Ubaldo Jimenez for four years at $50 million, as well as South Korean Suk-min Yoon to a three-year deal for $5.75 after he passes a physical exam.

2014 – One of the remaining prize free agents still on the market, P A.J. Burnett, signs a two-year deal with the Phillies worth up to $33.5 million with performance bonuses. Burnett is coming off two very good seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates that have re-energized his career. He says he chose the Phils over the Bucs because they are located a mere hour and a half from his hometown in Maryland.

2014 – P Mark Mulder’s comeback attempt after five seasons out of the game ends on the first day of spring training with the Angels, as he ruptures an Achilles tendon in routine flexibility drills.