NL Central

David Freese is taking his hitting prowess to a new home, as the veteran third baseman signed with Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The Pirates announced Freese's signing on Twitter:

Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune-Review reported it's a one-year deal for $3 million.

St. Louis Cardinals star catcher Yadier Molina had thumb surgery on Oct. 15 to repair a partially torn ligament originally suffered on Sept.

The Chicago Cubs and 2015 National League Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta agreed to terms on a one-year, $10.7 million contract in February, but it appears the deal wasn't close to what the right-hander wanted.

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The St. Louis Cardinals may be down a key piece of their starting lineup as All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta may have suffered a torn ligament in his thumb on March 5. It is uncertain when he will be ready to play again.  

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Zack Cozart is nearly nine months removed from undergoing season-ending knee surgery, but the Cincinnati Reds shortstop has been working his way back to full strength in spring training. 

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday is dealing with lower back tightness suffered on Saturday. It's unclear when he'll return to the field.

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Holliday Scratched vs. Astros

Saturday, March 5

Manager Mike Matheny told reporters Holliday wouldn't play on Saturday due to his back issue. 

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is working his way back from a shoulder injury he suffered back in September.  

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Martinez Looking Good While Throwing Live BP

Friday, Mar. 4

Martinez threw a live batting practice on Friday, which was the first time he pitched to batters since his injury, per Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The St. Louis Cardinals locked in one of their key offensive players Wednesday, signing second baseman Kolten Wong to a five-year contract extension to avoid arbitration.

The Cardinals announced Tuesday that they had signed Wong to a five-year deal with an option for a sixth season.

LA PUENTE, California — Six months after knocking ignorance and intolerance out of the park, Milwaukee minor league slugger David Denson hops out of his father's white Dodge Charger in a parking lot here and smiles broadly.

Behind him are the shadows from which he emerged to declare himself to the world, finally brave and comfortable enough in his own skin to do something that no other active, affiliated professional baseball player ever has dared.

On Saturday, Gerrit Cole voiced displeasure with the Pittsburgh Pirates for their modest contract offer to the Cy Young-caliber ace. The team responded Sunday, admitting it made a mistake in how it handled negotiations.