Giancarlo Stanton says he's prepared for New York-level scrutiny  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Giancarlo Stanton said he is prepared for the scrutiny he will attract during his first season with the New York Yankees.  —  “The good times will be magnified and so will the bad,” the slugger said Wednesday.

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 …

Cubs' opener is a week from today — but Joe Maddon would like more time at camp  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon didn't share the same feeling as some of his Cubs players who are anxious for the regular season to start immediately.  —  “This is the one time I wish we had one more week …

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 …

Cubs' Darvish limits former club to 3 hits over 6 innings  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Yu Darvish looked as if he would stumble on the mound, yet still managed to unleash a pitch that struck out Drew Robinson of the Rangers.  —  “I got off-balance,” Darvish said through a translator.

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 …

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 …

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 …

White Sox see better days approaching after 5 losing seasons  —  CHICAGO — For a franchise with five straight losing seasons and one playoff appearance since the 2005 World Series championship, the Chicago White Sox sure are an optimistic bunch.  —  They come into the year with a long line …

Mariners' David Phelps to have Tommy John surgery, season over  —  Mariners reliever David Phelps has a torn UCL in his pitching elbow and will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team said Thursday.  —  The right-hander is expected to be sidelined 12-15 months.

Notebook: Cobb wraps up deal with Orioles  —  Pitcher Cobb wraps up deal with Orioles  —  Alex Cobb's comfort and familiarity with the American League East was the deciding factor in his decision to sign with the Baltimore Orioles.  —  “They used the AL East and the success I've …

Aaron Judge hits two HRs, hitting his stride as Yankees opener nears  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Aaron Judge is getting that let's-start-the-season-already feeling.  —  “I feel ready to go,” Judge said after belting two home runs in Wednesday night's 9-4 Yankees win against the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field.

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.

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 …

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.

D-backs' Zack Greinke throws 60 pitches in return from groin injury  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An even quieter than usual Zack Greinke declared his return to the mound Wednesday as simply “all right.”  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander threw 60 pitches in an intrasquad game on a back field at the team's spring training facility.

Wong finally feels a sense of belonging  —  • On the practice field nearest their clubhouse Wednesday morning, early enough that shadows still played tricks on the batters' eyes, two Cardinals stepped into the cage for swings against rookie Alex Reyes.  —  One was Tommy Pham, his game-ready intensity lit.