Wednesday News & Notes: Examining NRIs as pitchers & catchers prepare to report

After over 24 straight hours of travel, I'm here to bring you the latest edition of News & Notes. Here's a look at what's going on around the world of baseball:

Indians news & notes

Kipnis enjoyed an offseason that didn't include surgery, food poisoning, or jury duty | Cleveland.com - For the first time in what seems like a long time, Jason Kipnis enjoyed an uneventful offseason that allowed him to focus on preparing for a repeat of his stellar 2015 season.

2016 Spring Training non-roster invitees | Burning River Baseball - Just eight more short days until pitchers and catchers report, so it's time to get familiarized with the bouquet of potential contributors that makes up this year's NRI list. Among the most intriguing names is, of course, former nemesis Justin "Joba" Chamberlain.

Tidbits from around MLB

• Buster Olney reports that changes to the second base sliding rules could be in effect for the start of the 2016 season
• August Fagerstrom examines the latest trade rumours involving Yovani Gallardo, and explains why he thinks the White Sox are the most obvious choice for the former Brewers star
• Commissioner Rob Manfred knows that fans are consuming media much differently than they have in the past, but FG's Craig Edwards recaps why there's still a long way to go before MLB watchers can cut the cord on cable
• Delmon Young finds himself in trouble with the law again for choking and threatening a valet
• Evan Gattis has to have surgery for a hernia, and is expected to be out  of commission for 4-6 weeks
• Craig Calcaterra thinks it's stupid that athletes can't be paid to endorse beer