Brewers Sign Jared Hughes  —  The Brewers have announced that they've signed righty Jared Hughes to a one-year deal.  Hughes will receive $950K plus a possible $250K in incentives based on games pitched, as Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets.

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 …

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 …

Bumming out the DBacks  —  Madison Bumgarner is perfect through four innings as the Giants lead the Diamondbacks 1-0.  Bumgarner threw just 40 pitches, 30 for strikes.  Five of the 12 outs came via the strikeout.  Bumgarner also drew a walk in his first plate appearance, and just homered leading off the fourth.

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 …

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.

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie: Lions CB D.J. Hayden needed ‘fresh start’  —  PHOENIX — Part of Reggie McKenzie wanted D.J. Hayden back with the Oakland Raiders, and if the money had been different it might have happened.  —  But McKenzie also knew that, for Hayden to reach his potential as a cornerback …

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.  A client of MDR Sports Management …

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.

Albert Almora Jr. will likely start for Cubs in Sunday's opener  —  Here's a look at the 2017 Cubs opening-day roster.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon remained coy about his opening night lineup, but it appears Albert Almora Jr. will get the start in center field.

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 …