COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB  —  GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN ROCKIES ROTATION STILL UP FOR GRABS  —  The Denver Post  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Time is ticking away on the Rockies and the vacancy in their starting rotation.  With only five games remaining at spring training, the Rockies' most talented arms …

Mets Acquire Alex Torres  —  The Mets announced that they have acquired left-handed reliever Alex Torres from the Padres in exchange for Minor League right-hander Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later.  —  Torres, 27, will give the Mets a much-needed left-handed option in the bullpen.

Kris Bryant To Begin Season In Minors  —  The Cubs announced today that wunderkind Kris Bryant has been assigned to Minor League camp, indicating that he will not make the team's Opening Day roster out of Spring Training.  Second baseman Javier Baez was also optioned to Triple-A today.

Mets still open to trading Dillon Gee  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Despite losing Zack Wheeler to a ligament tear that required Tommy John surgery, the New York Mets still may trade right-hander Dillon Gee within the month, an organization source told ESPNNewYork.com.

Pirates trying again to lock up Polanco; third star in OF of future  —  The Pirates and top young outfielder Gregory Polanco have rekindled contract talks, according to people familiar with the discussions.  —  Chances for a deal before Opening Day remain unknown.

Quick Pitch Leads Benches to Clear; Pirates Rout Phils 18-4  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — A quick pitch by Kevin Slowey sparked benches to empty in a rare testy spring training game.  —  Both teams rushed onto the field before the bottom of the fifth inning of the Pittsburgh's 18-4 rout of Philadelphia …

Simon Allows 1 Run in 6 Innings as Tigers Lose to Braves 4-2  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Alfredo Simon allowed one run over six innings for his best start of spring training in the Detroit Tigers' 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.  —  Acquired from Cincinnati after going 15-10 last season …

Padres Hit 3 Homers Off DeSclafani, Beat Reds 6-3  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Matt Kemp hit the first of San Diego's three homers off Anthony DeSclafani — a new addition to Cincinnati's rotation — and the Padres pulled away to a 6-3 victory over the Reds on Monday.

Magee enjoying tryout with Red Sox … FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Brandon Magee was growing up as a two-sport star in Corona, California, people told him he could be the next Bo Jackson.  —  Now the 24-year-old Magee, after being released by the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers …

Fine-tuning Garza strikes out six over 5 2/3 innings  —  Scooter Gennett knocked his first home run of the spring to lead off the game against the Reds.  (AP)  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Brewers hit two home runs while Brandon Phillips drove in four runs for the Reds.

Verlander misses start, hopes to pitch April 8  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Justin Verlander will miss his scheduled spring training start Thursday but hopes to take his first scheduled regular-season turn for the Detroit Tigers on April 8 against the Minnesota Twins.

Nationals Reliever Storen Out With Blister in Loss to Cards  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Washington Nationals closer Drew Storen exited early because of a blister on his right big toe Monday in a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Storen issued a two-out walk to Kolten Wong, then left the mound in the sixth inning.

Defiant CC Sabathia doesn't give a ‘f-k’ about poor spring outings  —  CC Sabathia struggled against the Pirates' minor-league affiliate on Saturday.  —  TAMPA — Nine and two-thirds inning of game work for CC Sabathia this spring, the last five of those coming Saturday at the Yankees' minor league complex …