Chicago Cubs looking for fast start in 2018  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs remember what it was like in 2016, and they remember what happened last year.  They remember all the fun they had two years ago, and how tired they were at the end of last season.  —  The past two years could hold the key to how they perform in 2018.

Diamondbacks' Souza has strained right shoulder, to get MRI  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. will get an MRI on Thursday after straining his right shoulder during a spring training game Wednesday night.  —  The team announced Souza's diagnosis following …

Athletics' Cotton has Tommy John surgery  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Oakland right-hander Jharel Cotton has had Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament his pitching elbow.  —  The Athletics say Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister operated Wednesday at Arlington, Texas.

In launch-angle era, Dee Gordon lonely at the singles party: ‘One of the last guys left’  —  SportsPulse: The Houston Astros looked primed to repeat as World Series champs.  Recent history suggests otherwise.  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Dee Gordon is aware …

Giancarlo Stanton prepared for scrutiny that comes with playing for Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The expectations for the 2018 Yankees are through the roof.  —  And Giancarlo Stanton is good with that.  —  “The fans expect a lot,” Stanton said Wednesday afternoon.  “I expect a lot, too.

Mikolas, Weaver both to start Thursday for Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals will have two members of their rotation starting on Thursday but only one of them will be facing the Atlanta Braves in the regularly scheduled game.  Miles Mikolas will work six innings for 95 pitches' worth …

Detroit Tigers trim down to 28 players with Opening Day a week away  —  The Tigers optioned left-handed pitchers Chad Bell and Blaine Hardy to Triple-A Toledo and sent six others to minor league camp on Thursday  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - The Detroit Tigers made a significant round of cut Thursday morning to trim the roster to 28.

National League West capsules  —  Capsules of National League West teams, listed in order of finish last year:  —  ___  —  Los Angeles Dodgers  —  2017: 104-58, first place, lost to Houston in World Series.  —  Manager: Dave Roberts (third season).  —  He's Here: OF Matt Kemp …

Minor League Ballplayers Will Lose Minimum Wage Rights As Part Of $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill  —  As part of a provision within the 2,232 page $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that President Trump needs to sign before Friday to keep the government open, the Boys of Summer in the Minor Leagues …

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Signs Contract With LA Galaxy Through 2019  —  Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving Manchester United for the LA Galaxy and could be in uniform for the club's first match against city rival LAFC.  —  SI.com has confirmed that superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed …

Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich boost Brewers with glove, bat  —  MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers' pitching could improve this year better because of two new bats in the lineup: Outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich are just as capable of changing games with their gloves, too.

Michael Conforto impresses as he works way back from shoulder injury, most likely to start season around May 1  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The ball had barely left Michael Conforto's bat when the chatter began.  The Mets outfielder had just taken a slider from the team's 2017 top draft pick …

Cardinals pave way for Motte to join Memphis, unless another team snags him  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • In order to get Jason Motte from their major-league camp to Class AAA Memphis' bullpen, the Cardinals had to perform a transaction tango, and that process began Thursday morning.

Blue Jays acquire right-hander Sam Gaviglo from Royals  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander Sam Gaviglo from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  —  Gaviglo, 27, posted 4-5 record and 4.36 earned-run average …

Royals' promotions for 2018 include deals at McDonald's, Subway  —  Royals fans of a certain age can remember a time when they could get a dozen free Krispy Kreme doughnuts when the team had 12 hits in a game at Kauffman Stadium.  —  That promotion ran from 2003-2006 and was wildly popular at a time.