Baseball players in minors expected to lose minimum wage protection  —  Minor league baseball players who make as little as $5,500 a season would be stripped of the protection of federal minimum wage laws under a provision in government spending legislation expected to be approved by Congress this week.

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 …

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.

Alex Rodriguez says working for both Yankees and ESPN won't be a conflict  —  Despite his side gig as a Yankees special advisor, new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez said he will remain fair and balanced — and is available to Hal Steinbrenner “24/7.”

Mets' Rafael Montero suffers UCL tear, likely to undergo Tommy John surgery  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets righty Rafael Montero is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery after suffering a complete tear of the unlar collateral ligament (UCL) in is right elbow, the Mets announced.

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 …

Miguel Cabrera homers off Jake Arrieta as Detroit Tigers top Phillies, 6-2  —  The Tigers held an open tryout in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday, March 5, 2018.  Hear from former major league catcher and current free agent Steve Clevenger.  George Sipple, Detroit Free Press  —  CONNECT

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 …

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 …

Daniel Murphy: 'It's reasonable to expect I won't be in the Opening Day lineup' … WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Daniel Murphy won't be in Washington's Opening Day lineup.  He finally admitted that Wednesday, when someone pointed out that it would be hard to see him advance from running …

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.

Braves, A's, Mariners latest MLB teams to add express entrances  —  NEW YORK — Three more major league teams are emphasizing life in the fast line — for fans.  —  Atlanta, Oakland and Seattle will open express entrances to members of CLEAR, expanding the fast-entry lanes to eight of the 30 big league ballparks.

PETA denounces Rangers' Perez, urges him to go vegan  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — PETA has read the story out of Texas Rangers spring training about Martin Perez dining on the bull that led to his fractured right elbow in December, and the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is none too pleased.

Yankee Stadium to open early for some games, Jordan Montgomery terrific in final spring tuneup  —  FORT MYERS — Bring your glove.  —  The Yankees are opening select gates three hours prior to first pitch for more than 20 home games this season — giving fans more of a chance to snag …

Hawk Harrelson, preparing for his 33rd season in the booth, is one of White Sox's great storytellers  —  Bob Elson was a study in coolness and restraint.  Harry Caray was a crowd-pleasing provocateur.  Ken Harrelson mixes passion with playfulness.  —  Harrelson, returning to the booth …