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The Philadelphia Phillies have received a long-term commitment from All-Star starter Aaron Nola as the team opens spring training Wednesday.The Athletic's Ken Rosenthalfirst reportedNola and the Phillies were closing in on a four-year Jon Lester Jersey , $45 million extension.ESPN's Jeff Passanreported the two sides were in agreement and the deal includes a team option for a fifth year. Per Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, Nola will earn $16 million in the fifth year if his option is picked up.Nola's performance has certainly warranted a long-term extension, especially over the past two seasons. He still had three more years of team control remaining before hitting free agency.By agreeing to this extension with Nola, the Phillies have bought out as many as two free-agent years. He will still be able to hit the market after the 2023 season at the age of 30.The 25-year-old ranks seventh among all starting pitchers with a 2.89 ERA and eighth with 9.8 wins above replacement since 2017, perFanGraphs.Originally drafted seventh overall by the Phillies in 2014, Nola made his MLB debut the following season. He has since become the ace of their pitching staff after finishing third in NL Cy Young voting in 2018 and making his first All-Star team.Nola will be the anchor of Philadelphia's rotation when this season begins on March 28 against the Atlanta Braves. The former LSU star will look to improve on last year's numbers when he posted a 2.37 ERA with 224 strikeouts in 212.1 innings. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With slugger Joey Gallo healthy, the Texas Rangers plan to start the season with eight pitchers in the bullpen and a shortened bench for new manager Chris Woodward.They just have to decide who will be that eighth reliever.Texas claimed right-hander Kyle Dowdy on waivers from the New York Mets on Tuesday, and the Rule 5 draft pick will have to stay on the big league roster. That leaves right-handers Connor Sadzeck and Adrian Sampson and lefty Kyle Bird the likely contenders for the Rangers final roster spot.“They all bring something unique to the table. There’s good reasons to keep each http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey ,” general manager Jon Daniels said after the Rangers beat Cleveland 5-4 in the final spring training game for both teams. “We’ve just got to talk through it some more. Most likely it will be one of those guys.”Sadzeck, who is out of roster options, is the only one who pitched Tuesday. He struck out two in his only inning.Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger allowed four runs (two earned) in three innings. He walked two, struck out five and gave up a three-run homer to Nomar Mazara, his first homer of the spring.“I don’t know if because he was in a stadium, it looked like he was a little over-amped, but the ball’s coming out great,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “Early on, he wasn’t commanding his breaking ball (but) as he got into it http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , he started to do that better. I think he’s situated to have a good, solid year.”Rangers lefty newcomer Drew Smyly, who missed the last two seasons after Tommy John surgery, allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three.The 26-year-old Dowdy was 9-12 with a 5.15 ERA last season split between Double-A and Triple-A.Texas feels comfortable going with eight relievers since Gallo, coming off consecutive 40-homer seasons, played the past two games without any issues after dealing with a strained right groin during spring training.FINAL OUTCOMEThe Rangers took advantage of an experimental rule designed to limit extended extra-inning games.Franklin Rollin singled home Zack Granite, who had been placed on second base to start the bottom of the ninth inning as part of a rule change implemented in spring training games this season. Granite stole third base and jogged home on Rollin’s liner to left.The rule was used in the minor leagues last season beginning in the 10th inning, and it will also apply to this year’s All-Star Game. During spring training, the automatic baserunner was put in play beginning with the ninth inning Carlos Zambrano Jersey , so long as both teams agreed. The rule will not be used during the regular season.Rangers closer Jose Leclerc retired three batters on fly balls, stranding the runner placed on second, when pitching the top of the ninth.ROSTER MOVESDaniels said the Rangers would option Granite to Triple-A Nashville and release veteran outfielder Ben Revere. Texas still has to purchase the contracts of outfielder Hunter Pence, utility infielder Logan Forsythe and right-hander Jeanmar Gomez.TRAINER’S ROOMIndians: Francona said 3B Jose Ramirez (left knee contusion) will meet the team in Minnesota on Wednesday appears set to be in the opening day lineup after working out in Arizona. He fouled a pitch off his knee in a game Sunday. … SS Francisco Lindor (strained right calf) had a home run and four RBIs in a minor league spring training game Monday. He also played eight innings in the field.UP NEXTIndians: Play at Minnesota on Thursday. RHP Corey Kluber (20-7, 2.89 in 2018) will be the first Cleveland pitcher to make five straight opening day starts since Hall of Famer Stan Coveleski in 1921.Rangers: Host the Cubs in the season opener on Thursday. LHP Mike Minor (12-8, 4.18) starts for Texas.