Mets, Madoff trustee settle for $162M  —  NEW YORK — The New York Mets owners and a trustee for Bernard Madoff's fraud victims settled Monday for $162 million in a case aimed at undoing the damage from a massive investment scheme.  —  The Mets owners will not pay anything for three years.

Utley leaving camp to see specialist  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chase Utley has left Phillies camp to see a specialist as his chronically injured right knee is not healthy enough to take the field, almost certainly meaning he will not play come opening day.  —  The Phillies released …

Tigers' Cabrera hit in face by bad-hop grounder  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera left Monday's game with a bloody face after a hard grounder from Philadelphia's Hunter Pence hit him near the right eye.  —  Cabrera was wearing sunglasses and it's uncertain whether the wicked one-hopper hit the right lens or just under it.

Maddux: Didn't pull out of running for Cubs manager  —  Says Sveum deserved job  —  Mike Maddux (Phil Velasquez/Tribune photo)  —  LAS VEGAS — Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux denied pulling out of the running for the Cubs managerial vacancy before the Cubs gave the job to Dale Sveum.

Soria leaves game with sore elbow after another rough outing  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The growing concern regarding Royals closer Joakim Soria escalated sharply Sunday afternoon when he left a game against Cleveland because of a sore right elbow after another ineffective performance.

Giancarlo Stanton, still not running, hoping to return by April 1 at latest  —  Caught up this morning with Marlins right fielder Stanton, who said his sore left knee is not feeling any better.  —  “It's the same,” said Stanton, who hasn't played since March 11.

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.

Nishioka optioned to Triple-A; lineup vs. Red Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins made a slew of roster cuts this morning with the most notable being the decision to option infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka to Triple-A Rochester.  —  Nishioka, 27, hit .240/.269/.320 in nine games this spring …

Rockies' lineup includes Blake, Hoffman elects free agency  —  SCOTTSDALE — There will be a popular veteran returning from neck surgery making news day.  —  Alas, it's not Peyton Manning.  Ladies and gentleman (or those three relatives not reading First and Orange blog), we present to you third baseman Casey Blake.

Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields attends David Price's minor-league start; Rays fall just short of attendance record  —  The Red Sox put a defensive shift on against lefty-swinging DH Luke Scott in the first inning, loading up the right side.  So Scott dropped a bunt down the third-base line, reaching first base with ease.

Nova settles down after early hiccup  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Adam Jones and Matt Wieters went deep in the first inning — the first home runs of the spring for each — to lead the Orioles to a 6-3 victory over the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday night.  —  After Endy Chavez led off …

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.