Mike Fiers' back issue could open spot in Detroit Tigers' rotation  —  Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Another Detroit Tigers starting rotation spot could be up for grabs.

Rays Journal: Optioning Banda narrows bullpen field, Archer change-up, more  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Shipping out LHP Anthony Banda on Sunday made clearer who remains in the running for multi-inning jobs in the Rays bullpen.  —  With RHP Matt Andriese a certainty, the Rays now have four …

Rangers' Perez on bull that caused fall: ‘I killed him and I ate him’  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  Talk about taking the bull by the horns.  —  Left-hander Martin Perez said on Sunday that the bull that charged him in December and caused him to break his right elbow was slaughtered shortly after the accident for beef.

Noah Syndergaard goes seven innings deep, impresses in likely final Grapefruit League start  —  SARASOTA — Noah Syndergaard was almost too efficient Sunday.  The Mets' big righthander had to go seven innings against the Orioles to get his work in, in what was likely his last Grapefruit League start.

You can write Homer Bailey in as the Reds' Opening Day starter — just don't use ink yet  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It's pretty safe to assume that Homer Bailey is going to start Opening Day for the Reds — even if Reds Manager Bryan Price can't bring himself to say the words.

Column: Controversy-free spring was just what the White Sox needed  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Back in Sarasota, Fla., during the spring of 1996, White Sox camp was roiled early by the disappearance of Tony Phillips, who had signed as a free-agent over the winter.

Signing Dallas Keuchel might be better Yankees option than Manny Machado  —  Since Aaron Judge brought it up...  Just kidding.  I have to admit I was rather stunned that Judge shared with reporters his “You'd-look-good-in-pinstripes” line to Manny Machado last week, considering how carefully he measures his every word.

Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco suspended 80 games for steroids  —  With aspirations of returning to the postseason, the Minnesota Twins were hit with a devastating blow just weeks before opening day.  —  Starting shortstop Jorge Polanco, who had a breakout second half of the season in 2017 …

Former Cubs reliever Justin Grimm signs $1.25M deal with Royals  —  The Royals signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a $1.25 million, one-year deal Sunday that includes up to $300,000 incentives after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last week.  —  The 29-year-old Grimm was 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances last season.

Cardinals option catcher Kelly, pitcher Flaherty and four others  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals optioned six players to Class AAA Memphis after Sunday afternoon's 10-0 Grapefruit League win against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.  —  The most notable names were catcher Carson Kelly and pitcher Jack Flaherty.

First-pitch strikes key for Tyler Chatwood to succeed  —  Chicago Tribune  —  High ground-ball and spin rates combined with success away from Coors Field attracted the Cubs to Tyler Chatwood in free agency.  —  But there is a simple factor that could dictate how Chatwood fares — first-pitch strikes.

Time could finally be right for Wendle  —  PORT CHARLOTTE - If everything breaks right for Joey Wendle over the next 15 days, he will make his first opening day roster four weeks before he turns 28.  —  A bit late by some standards, but nothing new for Wendle, who has always been a bit of a late bloomer.

Camp report: Chase Anderson settles in and Christian Yelich has big day at plate  —  On the field: Right-hander Chase Anderson got better and better as the game went on during his start against a split-squad Dodgers team.  After allowing two hits and three runs over the first two innings …

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Paul Goldschmidt has been asked the question over and over the past five months.  He's heard it from reporters, teammates, coaches - he even heard it from a fan during a Q&A session at FanFest.  —  Did the elbow issue that cost him a week in September contribute to his poor finish?

Jays likely to tap Happ for opening day start  —  DUNEDIN — J.A. Happ is ready for the opening of the 2018 season.  —  And any day now, we'll find out if the team is going to hand the veteran lefty the ball for the season opener against the New York Yankees.

Cincinnati Reds top Arizona Diamondback 5-2 at Goodyear Ballpark  —  Cincinnati Reds left-hander Amir Garrett produced another strong outing Friday.  He's faced 16 batters this spring and struck out 10 of them.  The Enquirer/Adam Baum  —  CONNECT  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Reds beat the Arizona Diamondback 5-2 at Goodyear Ballpark.

Luis Severino continues to prep for Opening Day start, Estevan Florial reassigned to minor-league camp  —  TAMPA - After the Yankees informed Luis Severino he'd be starting on Opening Day, the 24-year-old righty called his mother right away.  —  “It's something to celebrate,” Severino said on Sunday.