Change is coming: Mariners to send down Jesus Montero to Tacoma, bring up Jesus Sucre  —  On the heels of a six-game losing streak and a 2-7 road trip, the Seattle Mariners will make an expected and needed roster move sometime today.  —  Catcher Jesus Montero will be sent to Triple-A Tacoma …

Ben Cherington on D&C: In-season contract talks with Jacoby Ellsbury unlikely  —  Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is is hitting .249/.318/.340.  (AP)  —  Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, in an appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show, said that the Red Sox have talked at various points …

On comeback trail, Madson dealing with setback  —  ANAHEIM — Just as it has done so many times before, Ryan Madson's comeback attempt has taken another unexpected twist.  —  “Hopefully it's just a little glitch,” manager Mike Scioscia said.  “I don't think it's anything major, but he needs to get over this.

Pineda goes five innings in extended spring game  —  Right-hander underwent surgery last May to repair a torn labrum  —  Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda was acquired in a trade with the Mariners on Jan. 23, 2012.  (AP)  —  Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda tossed five innings …

Setbacks can't keep Neal Cotts down  —  Joe Bick rattles off the date — Feb. 10, 2012.  It was the day Bick, an agent, broke difficult news to his client, left-hander Neal Cotts.  —  “Neal, it's heartbreaking for me to tell you this, but I think we've run out of chances,” Bick recalls saying.

Don Mattingly vents about Dodgers  —  Don Mattingly expresses his frustrations with the Dodgers and having his ‘hands tied.’  —  Shocker: The Los Angeles Dodgers are disintegrating into a dysfunctional mess.  —  Manager Don Mattingly benched right fielder Andre Ethier …

McCutchen paces Pirates to fourth straight win  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Andrew McCutchen, Pirates beat Cubs for 4th straight win  —  PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past …

Wheeler expected to make 2-3 more starts in minors, then join Mets: source  —  The Mets have clearly reached the countdown stage to Zack Wheeler's major league debut.  —  A high-ranking team official told The Post on Thursday that barring a setback, the club's top pitching prospect is expected …

Mets showing confidence in Plawecki  —  Catching prospect ‘ready to move’ to next challenge in club's eyes  —  Even though catcher Kevin Plawecki struggled offensively last summer after the Mets selected him in the supplemental round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft …

Choo's stock rising with play for Reds in contract year  —  Veteran outfielder, pending free agent, likely to attract plenty of attention  —  CINCINNATI — A revelation who has already exceeded high expectations, center fielder Shin-Soo Choo has been everything and more than the win-now Reds …

Stanton takes BP on field, feels no discomfort  —  MIAMI — Progress is being made on Giancarlo Stanton's road to recovery.  —  The Marlins slugger on Wednesday afternoon took batting practice on the field.  He estimated about 50 swings, and felt no discomfort.

Indians Designate David Huff For Assignment  —  The Indians designated lefty David Huff for assignment to open a spot for another southpaw, Scott Barnes, tweeted the team.  —  Huff, 28, was designated for assignment when the team could not find a spot for him as the season began …

Nationals outlast Giants in 10 innings, avoid sweep  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Ian Desmond singled in Bryce Harper in the 10th inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game series sweep.  —  Harper hit his 12th homer in the sixth and sparked the winning rally with a one-out double.