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.

40 years later, Ron Guidry recalls Yankees' magical 1978 season  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Asked about his memories of 40 years ago, Ron Guidry isn't just recalling the Yankees' storybook 1978 season.  —  He's up from his seat, reenacting whole scenes.  —  Talking about the Yankees' pivotal four …

Mikolas, Ozuna picking up steam for Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals' two biggest acquisitions of the off-season started slowly this spring.  And that was a generous adverb.  —  Miles Mikolas, signed to a two-year contract after pitching for three years in Japan …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Indians To Add Rajai Davis To MLB Roster, Release Mike Napoli  —  Indians skipper Terry Francona ran through a laundry list of roster moves today, as MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports in a series of tweets.  Of particular note, the club intends to add outfielder Rajai Davis to the active roster …

Tigers' Matthew Boyd tossed after hitting Odubel Herrera with pitch in fifth inning  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd's day ended early after he was tossed after hitting Philadelphia's Odubel Herrera with a pitch in the fifth inning.  —  Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire …