Rangers send a clear message to Keone Kela with minor-league demotion  —  The Rangers' surprising demotion of Keone Kela on Friday stemmed from the way the reliever conducted himself during a recent “B” game, according to major-league sources.  —  Several of the Rangers' senior players took exception …

Brewers Sign Jared Hughes  —  SUNDAY: It's a one-year deal, per a team announcement.  Hughes is arbitration eligible for the last time next winter, meaning the Brewers have the ability to control him for two years.  —  SATURDAY, 10:20pm: The two sides have reached a deal, pending a physical, tweets FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Melvin Upton Jr. Won't Make Blue Jays  —  8:07pm: The Giants are content with their current outfielders, meaning they're not inclined to go after Upton, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.  However, Schulman doesn't rule out a trade, noting it could come down to the caliber …

Does anyone have what it takes to tame the Cubs?  —  Can anyone take down the Chicago Cubs?  A year ago, they were the darlings of nearly every preseason prediction.  —  They lived up to the hype and held off the Cleveland Indians to win their first World Series title since 1908.

Yadier Molina's $60 million contract is money well spent for the Cardinals  —  It's a sign of the times that the average fan will react to Yadier Molina's three-year, $60 million extension with disdain, thinking that the Cardinals paid too much.  —  Molina is indeed likely to decline during the contract …

Indians Extend Roberto Perez  —  The Indians have signed catcher Roberto Perez to a four-year extension worth a guaranteed $9MM, reports Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (Twitter links).  The deal includes club options for the 2021 and '22 seasons.  Perez will make $550K in 2017, $1.5MM in 2018, $2.5MM in 2019 and $3.5MM in 2020.

Dodgers aim for versatility off bench when setting roster for opening day  —  The 10-man pitching staff used to be normal.  Then again, so did complete games.  —  As a good start is redefined as six innings, and as teams expand bullpens to prioritize late-game matchups, the bench must shrink accordingly.

Sunday Notes: Meadows, Sox Surprise, Mackanin Gems, Twins, D-Backs, more  —  Austin Meadows is Pittsburgh's top prospect, and one of the most-promising young hitters in the game.  The 21-year-old outfielder has a sweet left-handed stroke, and — according to our own Eric Longenhagen …

Giants DFA Ray Black, Ian Gardeck  —  The Giants have designated right-handers Ray Black and Ian Gardeck for assignment, according to the club.  —  The 26-year-old Black has thus far spent his entire professional career with the Giants, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2011 amateur draft.