Bader, Munoz stay hot but Cards fall to Houston 4-1  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Outfielder Harrison Bader, who has had five hits in his last two starts, singled twice and drove in a run on Sunday.  And Cardinals third baseman Yairo Munoz, a spring training find so far, had a double and single and scored that run.

More confident Yoan Moncada tells White Sox he wants to be leadoff hitter  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Set to embark on his first full season as the White Sox second baseman, Yoan Moncada is in a much better place when it comes to expressing his opinions about where he should bat in the lineup than he was a year ago.

Athletics designate Brandon Moss for assignment, claim Jairo Labourt off waivers from Reds  —  The Oakland Athletics designated outfielder Brandon Moss for assignment on Sunday and claimed left-hander Jairo Labourt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.  —  Moss, 34, was acquired by the A's …

Stroman, Tulo are still big question marks for Blue Jays  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — It's nearing the half-way point at spring training and Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is getting half-way sick of talking to the media twice a day.  —  For sure, some of the questions directed Gibbons …

Starter or reliever?  Detroit Tigers preparing Buck Farmer for bullpen  —  Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — There's no debate this spring.  Right-handed pitcher Buck Farmer …

As Shohei Ohtani attempts to make history, a hand from Albert Pujols would help  —  SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs.  Recent history suggests otherwise.  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  TEMPE, Ariz. - It hasn't been done in 99 years …

Giancarlo Stanton's initial struggles in left not an issue for Yankees' manager  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Out in left field, nothing much went right for Giancarlo Stanton.  —  Racing after the first two fly balls hit his way, Stanton lost both in the sun.  The wind was whipping, too …

Rough spring training outing for Cincinnati Reds' Anthony DeSclafani won't deter optimism  —  Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani had a rough second outing in spring training Sunday, allowing three earned runs on five hits in two innings against the Kansas City Royals The Enquirer/Adam Baum

Cubs reliever Justin Wilson hopes to rewrite the script  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Left-handed reliever Justin Wilson had a difficult time last summer after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline.  —  The Cubs had hoped Wilson would replace Wade Davis as closer in 2018 …

Ex-Orioles pitcher Sammy Stewart, who fell on hard times, dies at 63  —  Former Baltimore pitcher Sammy Stewart, who helped the Orioles win the 1983 World Series before falling into a life of crack cocaine addiction and arrests, has died.  He was 63.  —  The Henderson County Sheriff's Office …

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … With Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray at the top and no real weak spot beyond that, the Diamondbacks might reasonably believe their rotation has a chance to be the best in the National League.  The only concern is what comes after them.

Returning from second TJ surgery would be one impressive feat for Eovaldi  —  TAMPA - There's no question what kind of physical shape Rays pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is in as he works his way back to the majors after a second Tommy John surgery.  —  “He comes from the Nolan Ryan school of baseball …

Rays Journal: Mallex shows off, a Roe v. Wade reference and a Maris sighting  —  TAMPA — The Rays are talking about giving Mallex Smith the opportunity to play regularly in leftfield.  —  In Sunday's 9-1 win over the Yankees, he showed why he could earn it, rapping three hits …

Estrada to expand his repertoire  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Marco Estrada has been lights out so far in Grapefruit League action and the Blue Jays' starter is hoping to shine even brighter in the regular season by mixing up his pitches more often.  —  Estrada, who went 10-9 with an ERA of 4.98 …

Rotation candidate Gabriel Ynoa was neither lucky nor good in 10-8 O's victory over Red Sox  —  Orioles fifth starter candidate Gabriel Ynoa drew the short straw on Sunday afternoon.  —  Ynoa is competing for a spot in the Orioles regular season starting rotation and he was pitching at Ed Smith Stadium …

Cubs' Jon Lester's answer to head-scratching throwing problems: Be like Mike  —  Sign-Up for our Newsletter … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Three years later, Cubs pitcher Jon Lester still can't throw to first base.  —  Not by any typical baseball definition anyway.