DeSclafani has UCL sprain, shut down four weeks  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani has a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will be shut down from throwing for at least four weeks.  The 26-year-old was diagnosed by team medical director …

Rockies 1B Desmond breaks hand in spring game  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Colorado Rockies lost one of their biggest offseason acquisitions when Ian Desmond was hit by a pitch Sunday, breaking his left hand.  —  Desmond was plunked by Cincinnati right-hander Rookie Davis with a 93 mph fastball …

Mets Players at World Baseball Classic Reconnect With Roots  —  GUADALAJARA, Mexico — When Mets pitcher Seth Lugo speaks, the Louisiana in him becomes apparent.  There is a Southern accent and no hint that he has Puerto Rican roots.  He does not speak Spanish, and he had never …

Phillies trade for ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies were able to add both a lefthanded and a righthanded pitcher to their bullpen competition on Sunday by acquiring ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte in a trade with Seattle.  —  Venditte, 31, can throw with either hand.

The Royals are ready for a fire sale they don't want  —  Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain  —  MORE FROM:  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Royals GM Dayton Moore has informed outside executives that if his team is not contending come July that it is open season on his walk-year core …

2017 Top 100 Prospects  —  Below is my list of the top-100 prospects in baseball.  Each prospect has a brief scouting summary here with links to the full team reports embedded in their names where applicable.  Those without links will have them added as I cover the remaining farm systems.

Dominican Republic and its fans electrify World Baseball Classic  —  SANTO DOMINGO NORTH - That's what this was, the capital of the Dominican Republic relocated to Miami, the closest major city in the United States.  —  The crowd of 37,446 - the largest for baseball in the five-year history …

Rafael Montero, once Mets' top starting pitching prospect, could find himself in long relief  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Rafael Montero sat at his locker in the Mets spring training clubhouse texting and checking social media on his phone last week.  Just to his left, in front of their row of lockers …

The Surprise Five: Thoughts from Sunday at Rangers camp  —  Andrew Cashner returned to Texas Rangers spring training Sunday morning after a long flight delay Saturday night because of storms that passed through the Metroplex.  —  He knew that the media wanted a piece of him as soon as the clubhouse opened …

Braves Claim Kevin Chapman From Astros  —  The Braves announced on Monday that they've claimed left-handed reliever Kevin Chapman off waivers from the Astros.  Houston reportedly placed the 29-year-old Chapman on waivers over the weekend.  Atlanta had an open spot on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.