Cubs opening roster could come down to minor-league options  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Finalizing the opening day roster might not be as urgent for the Cubs as the need for insurance during the season.  —  That's what manager Joe Maddon conveyed Monday as the Cubs try to finalize their roster by their final Cactus League game Sunday.

Mets should use caution with Jason Vargas and use the one-time ‘Five Aces’ rotation for start of the season  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Dust off the Five Aces posters from 2016 or ‘17.  The day may finally have arrived when the Mets’ five pitchers, formerly known as all aces, will be in the same rotation for at least one turn.

Craig Kimbrel: Infant daughter's heart surgery ‘toughest thing’ his family has been through  —  With his infant daughter's condition improving following heart surgery, Craig Kimbrel rejoined the Boston Red Sox on Monday, threw live batting practice and declared he will be ready for Opening Day next week.

Jose Altuve finalizes 7-year, $163.5M deal with Astros  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — AL MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros have finalized a $163.5 million, seven-year contract that guarantees an additional $151 million over five seasons.

Detroit Tigers plug Clermont's Shane Greene into closer's role  —  Coming off reconstructive elbow surgery after his only season at the University of West Florida, Shane Greene was a man without a team.  —  The Clermont resident had lost his scholarship.  He had transferred …

Arizona Diamondbacks spring training - 2018 … Steven Souza Jr. knows that part of the cost of doing business as a modern power hitter is striking out.  That does not mean he has to like doing it - or that he's comfortable striking out as often as he has in his career.

Alex Rodriguez returns to Yankees camp in advisory role  —  TAMPA, Fla. - No. 13 is back in camp.  —  Special adviser Alex Rodriguez arrived at Steinbrenner Field on Monday afternoon, slipping onto the field - in a Yankees uniform - without fanfare (or any prior announcement to the press).

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: SATURDAY, MAY 26 - MONDAY, MAY 28  —  MLB's annual league-wide observance of Memorial Day will honor those who lost their lives while serving their country.  MLB again plans to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance through which ballparks on Memorial …

Nationals' treasure: Victor Robles is key to the future, with or without Bryce Harper  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Back in 2005, Ryan Zimmerman was the first-ever draft pick of the newly minted Washington Nationals, an All-American from neighboring Virginia expected to steer the franchise through …

Spring training numbers matter for some but not all  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Spring training numbers can be deceptive - in both ways, good or bad.  —  Call it the Josias Manzanillo Rule.  Manzanillo was terrific for the Reds spring training of 2003.  He put up a 0.75 ERA and only allowed four hits in 12 innings that spring.

Tigers prospect Franklin Perez to miss 3 months  —  DETROIT — Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Franklin Perez is expected to miss at least three months with a right lat strain.  —  The Tigers say Perez was injured in a minor league game Sunday.  There is no surgery recommended at this point …

A baseball scout and his hotel room: A love story spanning four decades  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - This eclectic 194-room hotel in Old Town has purple carpet, pink doors, and yellow and orange walls.  —  It has changed names nine times.  —  It has even changed addresses without moving.

Jorge Polanco's 80-game suspension hits Twins hard  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — About a month ago, Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco learned he had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.  —  The news of his 80-game suspension, including ineligibility for postseason play …

Analysis: Shohei Ohtani's spring struggles underscore the difficult path to two-way success in MLB  —  The Washington Post  —  Shohei Ohtani's arrival in Major League Baseball this winter was met with so much hype, anticipation and historic recalibration — he is seeking to become the first full-time …