Cardinals notebook: Pitcher Gant keeps impressing  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.  • The Cardinals' pitching plans are coming into focus as the season opener nears, and for now they project spring standout John Gant as quality insurance for the rotation.  He's headed for starts at Class AAA Memphis …

Yoenis Cespedes laughs off wrist injury as he nears return, but keeping players healthy is no joke for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes couldn't help himself.  After an obvious question about his first at-bats since having a cortisone shot in his right wrist, the Mets slugger joked that he was done.

Mickey Callaway: Wilmer Flores playing left field can be ‘huge’ for Mets lineup  —  WEST PALM BEACH — Wilmer Flores was anxious.  The natural infielder waited and waited.  With the glove Yoenis Cespedes had gotten for him two years ago, Flores made his first play in left field in the fourth inning …

Aaron Judge likely won't play any left field for Yankees this season  —  LAKELAND - Aaron Judge played five innings in left field during a Class A minor-league game on Saturday.  Judge caught the only fly ball hit to him.  —  Based on what Aaron Boone said Saturday, though …

Next Slide  —  At Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla.  —  What happened: The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees, 9-3. ...  Matthew Boyd struggled early but recovered nicely.  Boyd told reporters he was dealing with flu-like symptoms. ...  Boyd allowed two earned runs over three-plus innings. ...

Mets fans are right to have hope entering this season, no matter how many ifs surround team  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — This was the other day in spring training, at the point when the spring training days start to run together in the run-up to the season.  Mickey Callaway, the new Mets manager …

Notebook: A's starter Cotton to have Tommy John surgery  —  Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow.  —  Cotton had been diagnosed with a sprain and had a second scan taken on his elbow on Friday, then was told he would need Tommy John surgery.

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … The questions have dogged Jake Lamb for years, and if he is going to answer them, it might need to be soon.  Since reaching the majors four years ago, the Diamondbacks third baseman has never been able to hit left-handed pitching.

Pena's play, catching depth have created competition for Kelly at backup  —  St. Louis Cardinals catcher Francisco Pena blocks a ball while catching a bullpen session during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com

Confused by Rays pitching plans?  Well, it's complicated ....  There are some answers we do have about the Rays plan to use four starters and mix in “bullpen days” when needed during at least the first six weeks.  —  They are not doing it because they don't have a capable fifth.

Eugenio Suarez's deal is ideal for the Cincinnati Reds  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The first thing that jumps out about Eugenio Suarez's contract to me is that it tops out at $11 million a year.  —  That's a very good living, but it's cheap in today's baseball.  To wit: Twelve third baseman make more than $11 million this year.

No discomfort as Cubs second baseman Javier Baez returns to action  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Javier Baez quickly shook off any signs of rust Saturday at Sloan Park in his first game since suffering a left hamstring cramp on March 8.  —  Baez moved laterally with ease as he made a backhanded …

Scott Schebler leads Cincinnati Reds over San Francisco Giants  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A day after advocating for a spot in the everyday lineup, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Scott Schebler made another strong case for himself.  —  Schebler, who started in center field and batted fourth Saturday …

Jorge Soler has gone unnoticed in outfield this spring.  Here's why that's a good thing  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  The work took place in blocks, long before the first pitch of a Cactus League ballgame here was ever played this spring.  —  Before the demotion to Class AAA Omaha …