Ballbug: Rangers prospect Matuella returns to game action (Jeff Wilson/Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Updated: Wong clarifies comments on potential platoon at second base — UPDATE: Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong asked the Post-Dispatch to clarify comments he made earlier Sunday about the team considering a platoon approach to second base to start the season. His words, in full, appear below:

Wong would rather be traded than platoon at second base — JUPITER, Fla. • Second baseman Kolten Wong expressed confusion and frustration Sunday about the news that the Cardinals are considering a platoon approach at Wong's position to start the regular season.

Discussion: FanRag Sports

Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:

Latest On Kolten Wong — 3:22pm: Wong asked the Post-Dispatch to clarify his earlier comments and emphasized that he'd like to remain a Cardinal. Wong's full statement is available at this link. Here's an excerpt: … 1:35pm: With Jhonny Peralta set to open the season as the Cardinals' third baseman …

Discussion: Al's Ramblings

Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:

Drew Stubbs Opts Out Of Twins Deal — Outfielder Drew Stubbs has opted out of his minor league contract with the Twins, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). The Twins informed Stubbs on Sunday that he wasn't going to make their big league roster.

Discussion: Twin Cities, FanRag Sports and Twinkie Town

Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:

Sources: Rougned Odor expected to sign multi-year extension with Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. - It has become a big week for Rangers who were teammates on the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic. — Albeit, it's about to be much bigger for Rougned Odor than Robinson Chirinos.

Discussion: NBCSports.com, Beyond the Box Score, FanRag Sports, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Daily Dish

Discussion: Bleacher Nation and Sportsnet.ca

Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Rangers prospect Matuella returns to game action — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Michael Matuella admitted to some nerves before making his spring debut on the back fields Sunday afternoon. It's not hard to blame him after not pitching in a game since June 17 and before that April of 2015. — The results?

Discussion: Lone Star Ball

ESPN:

Mike Trout proposes umpire change — Mike Trout is widely regarded as baseball's best player, and you'd also be hard-pressed to find a player who is more universally liked than Trout. He seems to have a running banter with almost everyone when he plays, from opposing catchers to infielders, to umpires.

Tampa Bay Times:

10 things we think we know about Rays as season approaches — PORT CHARLOTTE — With the season opener — finally — just a week from today, there are things we know for sure about the Rays. — Chris Archer is pumped to make his third straight opening day start.

Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors

Discussion: DRaysBay

Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:

Trading Matt Szczur could give Cubs more flexibility on opening day roster — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — Manager Joe Maddon stresses emphatically that Cubs backup outfielder Matt Szczur is a bona fide major-league player.

Discussion: Bleacher Nation and Cubs Insider

SportsDayDFW com / Dallas Morning News:

Michael Irvin: Ezekiel Elliott needs to understand ‘the enormity of everything surrounding him’ — Cowboys Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin joined KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan recently. Here are some highlights. — What the heck is going on with Romo? — Michael Irvin: If I'm a Houston fan …

Discussion: ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports

ESPN:

Gimme some glove! Forecasting MLB's best, worst fielders — Defense has been making news even earlier than usual this spring thanks to the World Baseball Classic. Most notably, Adam Jones' incredible home run robbery of Orioles teammate Manny Machado helped Team USA defeat the Dominican Republic and advance to the WBC semifinals.

Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:

Tigers Place Mark Lowe On Release Waivers — The Tigers have placed reliever Mark Lowe on unconditional release waivers, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com (Twitter link). The right-hander is due a $5.5MM salary this year, so he'll likely clear waivers and become a free agent.

Discussion: Bless You Boys