Steven Matz finally pitches himself into Mets rotation battle with four scoreless innings  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - Steven Matz has finally found some confidence in his fastball.  —  The conviction that the Mets lefty was lacking his first two starts of spring, came back to him Friday.

Jordan Montgomery nails down the No. 5 spot in Yankees rotation  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Jordan Montgomery has taken the fifth.  —  The second-year lefty was the presumptive favorite to round out the Yankees' starting rotation to open 2018, but manager Aaron Boone made it official …

Detroit Tigers' Michael Fulmer strong in return, no say on Opening Day  —  The Detroit Tigers started Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, with individual pictures, followed by practice.  First rounder pitcher Alex Faedo faced major-league hitters for the first time, too.  Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP Wochit

MLB notebook: Cubs' Baez has hamstring injury  —  The left hamstring of Javier Baez isn't 100 percent, as the Cubs infielder initially thought an hour after suffering a cramp during Thursday's spring game.  —  Manager Joe Maddon indicated that Baez probably won't play in either …

Shohei Ohtani admits ‘adjustments need to be made’ after rough start  —  Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani gave up six runs in a shaky three-inning start Friday in a “B” game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros.  —  Ohtani, 23, was scheduled for 60 pitches in four innings, but he reached 64 pitches after only three.

Norris is on course for bullpen duty  —  • The Cardinals could have eight relievers, to go with five starters, when their season starts March 29.  And newcomer Bud Norris will be among the former group, manager Mike Matheny said before the Cardinals' 4-2 exhibition loss to the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Nate Jones looks like early leader in White Sox closer's battle  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The battle for White Sox closer's job could go down to the final days of camp, and manager Rick Renteria isn't tipping his hand between Nate Jones and Joakim Soria.  —  “We're looking at guys that have done …

Report: A's sign catcher Eustis native Jonathan Lucroy  —  East Bay Times  —  The A's dipped into free agency to grab All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who reportedly will sign a one-year deal with Oakland.  —  MLB.com's Jane Lee reported the A's are bringing in the 31-year-old to help solve …

Wacha, Cecil to work against Marlins  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Righthander Michael Wacha will make his third start of the spring for the Cardinals Saturday.  And lefthander Brett Cecil will appear in a varsity game for the first time this year when the Cardinals play yet another exhibition game …

NEW YORK  • Facebook is getting deeper into the professional sports streaming game, partnering with Major League Baseball to air 25 weekday afternoon games, including a Cardinals game in April, in an exclusive deal.  —  The games will be available to Facebook users in the U.S. on Facebook Watch …

Cincinnati Reds hope Luis Castillo comes up aces  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Call him the Great Right(-handed) Hope.  —  Luis Castillo represents the latest young Reds pitcher who could be, might be, hopefully will be a top of the rotation pitcher.  When he see Castillo follow a 98 mph fastball ball …

Gabe Kapler is joined in dugout by a baseball lifer in Rob Thomson |  Matt Breen  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Gabe Kapler sat Friday afternoon behind the protective netting just past the Phillies' on-deck circle.  To his left — during all nine innings of a loss to Pittsburgh - was Rob Thomson …

Astros downplay potential World Series hangover, say they're ‘not the Cubs’  —  No team ever thinks that they'll succumb to the dreaded World Series hangover.  They know the risks, they managed the offseason, everything is fine.  —  The Houston Astros aren't the Cubs, but they have Chicago's post-World Series arrogance down.