Decline fears: Can Joey Votto, Robinson Cano fight off the aging curve?  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Joey Votto was 27 years old, a reigning National League Most Valuable Player and ostensibly at the height of his powers when he first felt the symptoms of decline.  —  In 2010, he dominated the NL …

MLB free agent news: Twins sign Logan Morrison after 38-home run season  —  The Twins signed Logan Morrison to a one-year contract Sunday, with a vesting option for a second year, according to Fox Sports.  —  Morrison will make $6 million in 2018, with a possible vesting option driving …

Alex Rodriguez returns to role as Yankees' special adviser  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Former New York Yankees star and new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez was named a special adviser to his former team on Sunday.  —  Rodriguez will join past Yankees Hideki Matsui …

Former MLB pitcher Jack Hamilton dies at 79  —  BRANSON, Mo. — Jack Hamilton, whose errant inside pitch damaged the eyesight of Boston's Tony Conigliaro in 1967 and caused a premature end to the career of the Red Sox star, has died.  He was 79.  —  Hamilton died Thursday at the Shepherd …

Eric Hosmer bids classy farewell to Kansas City fans with newspaper ad  —  Although he's now a member of the San Diego Padres after signing an eight-year, $144 million contract as a free agent, Eric Hosmer has already built up a career worth of fond memories with the Kansas City Royals.

Cards' Mikolas has rough debut, gives up six runs in 7-3 loss  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Miles Mikolas, a Jupiter, Fla., native signed for $15.5 million for two years after pitching three seasons in Japan, had a rough Cardinals debut Sunday, giving up six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to Houston.

Detroit Tigers top prospect Alex Faedo makes good first impression  —  Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, designated hitter Victor Martinez and pitching prospect Alex Faedo work on their crafts in spring training in Lakeland, Fla. Video by Anthony Fenech/DFP Wochit

Matt Belisle agrees to minor league contract with Indians  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Free agent reliever Matt Belisle has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and would get a $1.5 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man big league roster.

Rays Journal: A key step back for Venters, sharp day for Snell, big blast by Cron  —  FORT MYERS - The big heartwarming story will be when - and thus if - LHP Jonny Venters makes it back to the majors for the first time since 2012, having battled through three elbow surgeries.

Springer's energy propels World Series champion Astros  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — A.J. Hinch was attempting to answer a question about what he likes best about George Springer when the Houston Astros manager was drowned out by a faraway but exuberant bellow.  —  The sound was the World Series MVP …

Mets' Dominic Smith to go for MRI while Jay Bruce, Tim Tebow dealing with minor injuries  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets could only go so long without any injuries.  —  First baseman Dominic Smith is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday for a strained right quad, while Jay Bruce …

Ex-Rays prospect Andrew Toles working his way back from knee surgery for Dodgers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Andrew Toles made a two-base error and went 0-for-3, and his team lost.  All told, it was still a pretty good day for the Dodgers left fielder.  —  In his first game since a serious knee injury …

Cubs President Theo Epstein to attend memorial service for former Padres executive Kevin Towers  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs President Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and spring training instructor Rick Sutcliffe were among at least 100 major-league officials scheduled to attend a memorial service Sunday for Kevin Towers.

Yoenis Cespedes homers in spring debut for Mets as Mickey Callaway considers keeping him in No. 2 hole … PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes got off to a fast start Sunday.  The Mets slugger teed up a three-run home run that cleared the left field fence by at least 30 feet Sunday.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks comfortable being young veteran  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kyle Hendricks joked that he's been sporting facial hair for sixth months.  —  But the Cubs' starting pitcher, 28, joked Sunday morning that it feels “kind of weird” being a young veteran as he enters his fifth season.

Mariners notebook: Marco Gonzales looking forward to getting a pitch back  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - With one full season under his belt since Tommy John surgery, Mariners southpaw Marco Gonzales is ready to reintroduce the cutter to his repertoire.  It is a weapon that could have helped him last year …

After Amed Rosario was hyped up, Mets quietly wondering if shortstop will ever live up to high expectations  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — After all the hype that came with being evaluated at the top of the various prospect lists, Amed Rosario wasn't the instant sensation the Mets had hoped last summer …