MB Changes Cuban Policy, Yoan Moncada Free To Sign  —  Major League Baseball has changed course and is now allowing teams to sign Cuban players under the “general license” from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, paving the way for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada and others to be able to sign.

Well-reinforced Cuban team loses Caribbean Series opener  —  SAN JUAN, P.R. - The prestige of Cuban baseball, earned through decades of dominating international amateur tournaments, has received a boost from the stellar major league performances of defectors such as Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes.

Phillies have begun looking at Cody Asche in the outfield  —  Phillies position players aren't required to report to spring training for three more weeks, but Cody Asche is already working out in Clearwater.  —  And he's getting some reps and instruction in left field.

Meet the Matz!  Mets left-handed pitching prospect Steven Matz could be next in line  —  Finally pain-free, Matz has been making up for lost time in rather spectacular fashion the last two years, moving up the organizational ladder quickly and becoming the Mets' most talked-about pitching prospect.

EXCLUSIVE: In first interview since SNY exit, Bobby Ojeda takes jab at Mets GM Sandy Alderson  —  ‘Last I checked, Fred is not the general manager,’ Ojeda said while defending ownership.  ‘Last I checked, Jeff is not the general manager.  Last I checked, Saul is not the general manager.’

Vasquez recovering from emergency brain surgery  —  9/11/11: Anthony Vazquez pitches six strong innings, striking out two and giving up two runs against the Royals  —  SEATTLE — Anthony Vasquez beat some long odds once already by reaching the Major Leagues for a brief stint as a starter …

If Shields' price has dropped, Yankees should open wallet  —  James Shields has thrown over 200 innings in eight straight seasons and made up for a dip in strikeouts by improving his control last year  —  The cumbersome contracts that helped pave the way to the Yankees' most recent (though …

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.

Reds leadoff hitter improving strength, conditioning with Triple-A manager DeShields  —  NL Rookie of the Year finalist Billy Hamilton, who finished second in the voting, discusses his rookie season with MLB Network  —  CINCINNATI — Following his rookie year in the Majors last season …

Five To Six Teams Still Trying To Deal For Hamels  —  2:58pm: Philadelphia continues to ask for top catching prospect Blake Swihart from Boston, tweets Nightengale, with the Red Sox refusing to part with him in a deal for Hamels.  —  2:08pm: Though Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr …