Royals' Jorge Soler strains oblique, could begin season on disabled list  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Just eight days before opening day, Royals outfielder Jorge Soler's spring hit a familiar and painful snag.  —  Soler, 25, strained an oblique muscle while competing in a minor-league game Sunday afternoon, Royals manager Ned Yost said.

International Reviews: Atlanta Braves  —  Total signings: 33.  —  Between signing bonuses and their upcoming overage tax payment, the Braves have invested nearly $27 million to sign international prospects during the 206-17 signing period.  The crown jewel of the international signing class …

Outlook shaky as usual as Marlins try to end playoff drought  —  MIAMI (AP) The Miami Marlins begin their 25th season without their late ace, his legacy tarnished by recently disclosed details of his death, which somehow makes the shadow over the franchise even heavier.

The Surprise Five from Monday at Rangers camp  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Many fine people from the great state of Colorado made their way to Surprise Stadium on Monday, and hopefully they didn't take Bell Road all way from Scottsdale.  —  It's spring break in many counties in Colorado …

Mets' Zack Wheeler throws five shutout innings  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The forgotten man stood with his back to the wall, water dripping from the ice wrap coiled tight around his once-vulnerable right elbow.  He still was cooling off from the closest thing to a big-league game he's experienced in more than two years.

Bill O'Brien and Texans to discuss extension next offseason  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Even though Texans coach Bill O'Brien has posted winning records in each of his first three seasons and has won back-to-back AFC South titles, he will not be getting an extension this year.

Phillies prospect Nick Williams said that despite advice, he had to learn lessons for himself  —  Ironpigs Nick Williams (4) comes across the plate for the score against the Rochester Red Wings during 3rd inning action of a class AAA International League baseball game .  —  Of The Morning Call

Diamondbacks Release, Re-Sign Gregor Blanco  —  TODAY: The D-Backs have indeed re-signed Blanco to a new minors deal, per a club announcement.  —  YESTERDAY, 9:29pm: Arizona would like to re-sign Blanco, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter links).

It's looking like the Yankees and Red Sox will dominate the AL East again soon  —  A rival executive makes an interesting point: By 2019, the AL East could be back to what it was for much of the 2000s — the Yankees, Red Sox and everyone else.  —  Predicting the future is always dangerous …

Bronson Arroyo: “I'm literally about to pull off the impossible”  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Bronson Arroyo feels normal, and that's pretty abnormal.  —  It's been nearly three years since the 40-year-old has thrown a pitch in the major leagues.  He's spent most of that time fighting to come …

Lions G.M. on Matthew Stafford extension: We're working on it  —  Lions G.M. Bob Quinn says he has his franchise quarterback in place, and now wants to keep him in place for years to come.  —  Quinn said on PFT Live that Matthew Stafford, who has one year and a $16.5 million salary left …

Aaron Judge vs. Aaron Hicks: Yanks' RF job still pick-'em … TAMPA, Fla. — In the battle for the Yankees' rightfield job, Aaron Judge started spring training with the backing of Hal Steinbrenner, who talked up the huge slugger during the offseason.  —  Steinbrenner was on hand on Sunday …

Optimistic Braves believe rebuilding is finally behind them  —  ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves hardly sound like a team coming off a last-place finish.  —  These guys are talking playoffs.  —  “We've said it the last couple of years.  We mean it this year,” slugging first baseman Freddie Freeman …