Tough day for Ross in first spring start  —  LAS VEGAS — Rookie left-hander Robbie Ross, who has emerged as a candidate for the bullpen, made his first start of the spring on Sunday against the Brewers in Phoenix and was roughed up.  He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits.

Nats option top prospect Harper to Triple-A  —  VIERA, Fla. — After striking out four times in an 11-7 loss to the Tigers on Sunday, Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, where he will play mostly center field.  He will also see some action in right.

Prospect of Jury Trial in Mets' Madoff Case May Push Sides Toward Settlement  —  As in any civil case, there has always been a chance that the owners of the Mets and the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme could settle before trial.  But across the past year of acrimony, that prospect has often seemed remote.

Capuano finishes strong in rainout with Angels  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers and Angels deadlocked, 1-1, on Sunday in a game rained out after 5 1/2 innings at a chilly Camelback Ranch.  —  The Angels scored in the first inning on singles by Kole Calhoun and Albert Pujols and a sacrifice fly …

X-rays on Cano's left hand negative  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's Grapefruit League exhibition against the Orioles after being hit on the left hand by a pitch.  —  Cano was batting in the sixth inning at Ed Smith Stadium against Baltimore left-hander Troy Patton …

Liriano throws five hitless innings for Twins  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Francisco Liriano threw five hitless innings Sunday, and the Minnesota Twins allowed just one hit in a 10-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates .  —  The Pirates did not get a hit until Brandon Boggs singled off non-roster invitee Luis Perdomo in the eighth inning.

Could La Russa end up with Dodgers?  —  There's just one problem with Tony La Russa becoming a key decision-maker for the Los Angeles Dodgers if Steve Cohen succeeds in buying the club.  —  La Russa is such a strong personality, his presence might diminish the Dodgers' chances of hiring …

Reds cut 16  —  The Reds cut 16 players today.  —  IF Kristopher Negron, IF Neftali Soto, RHP Josh Judy; IF Didi Gregorius, IF Henry Rodriguez, RHP Pedro Villarreal; IF/OF Donald Lutz and RHP Kyle Lotzkar were optioned.  —  C Tucker Barnhart, RHP Nick Christiani, RHP Daniel Corcino …

Soria Hurt in Royals Win Over Indians  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Eric Hosmer went 3 for 3 with a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 6-4 Sunday, a win dampened by an elbow injury to closer Joakim Soria.  —  Soria, a two-time AL All-Star …

Blue Jays hammer Phillies 10-2  —  Jose Bautista hit his third home run of spring training and Philadelphia's Cole Hamels gave up five runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Phillies 10-2 Sunday.  —  Bautista's two-run homer capped a five-run sixth.