Two Cubans playing in Caribbean Series defect  —  SAN JUAN, P.R. - Two players from the Cuban team competing in the Caribbean Series have defected, according to a tournament official.  —  The official, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the Cuban federation …

Brewers Sign Chris Perez To Minor League Deal  —  6:48pm: Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports (via Twitter) that Perez can top out at $3MM if he hits all of the incentives in his contract.  Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets that $1.5MM of that will be his base salary upon making the club …

Derek Jeter reached on-deck circle while examining Bills purchase, sources say  —  You almost can hear late Yankee Stadium public-address announcer Bob Sheppard proclaiming the man's arrival every Sunday in Orchard Park.  —  Now owning the Buffalo Bills ... the former shortstop ... No. 2 ... Derek Jeter.

Cleveland Browns and GM Ray Farmer facing possible suspension, fine, loss of draft pick for ‘Textgate’  —  Browns general manager Ray Farmer could possibly be suspended for the first several games of the 2015 season for improper texting during games.  (Tony Dejak)

Blue Jays trade LHP prospect Ybarra to Rockies  —  The Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies have agreed to a trade of minor league left-handers, industry sources tell Sportsnet.  —  The Blue Jays will acquire Jayson Aquino, who was recently designated for assignment by Colorado, for Tyler Ybarra, a 25-year-old prospect.

Obama throws curveball at team owners  —  President Barack Obama is using his budget to take on some of the most loathed people in sports — team owners threatening to bolt town if taxpayers don't help build a new stadium — and it could put Republicans in a tough spot.

Cleveland Police investigating Cleveland Indians Danny Salazar on sexual assault complaint  —  Indians right-hander Danny Salazar is being investigated by Cleveland Police.  (Tony Dejak, Associated Press)  —  Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group

Health issues, offseason turmoil of late '14 in rearview mirror for Cubs shortstop  —  8/30/14: Starlin Castro launches a solo home run to deep left off Justin Masterson, giving the Cubs a four-run lead in the 5th inning  —  MESA, Ariz. — Starlin Castro is healthy.

Bunning's not-so-perfect day  —  JIM BUNNING spent the first weekend in December in San Diego, a member of a 16-man committee voting on Golden Era players to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame.  Dick Allen needed 12 votes.  He got 11.  —  “I felt useless,” Bunning seethed the other day, his voice crackling with anger.