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.

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

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.”

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 …

Michael Conforto hits for cycle one day ahead of Grapefruit League debut  —  Michael Conforto is making the Mets rethink their rehab plan with him.  The All-Star outfielder will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday as the designated hitter, Mets' manager Mickey Callaway announced Thursday night.

Giants' Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) likely headed to disabled list  —  San Francisco Giants starter Jeff Samardzija had an MRI on his right shoulder Thursday and is likely to start the season on the disabled list, according to multiple reports.  —  Samardzija left a minor league outing …

Aaron Boone: No personal catchers for Yankees this season  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Joe Girardi never professed an affinity for pitchers having “personal” catchers, but there were times it worked out that way in his 10 years managing the Yankees.  —  Most recently, for example …

White Sox outfielder Ryan Cordell optioned to Triple-A Charlotte  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox optioned outfielder Ryan Cordell to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday, one of four rosters moves announced in Glendale, Ariz.  —  Cordell, acquired from the Brewers last year in the Anthony Swarzak deal …

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 …

Shohei Ohtani's arrival leads Angels into a fascinating year  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Shohei Show is about to begin for the  —  Los Angeles Angels.  —  Mike Trout might be the best player in baseball.  —  Albert Pujols is its most accomplished active slugger.

Rafael Montero has torn UCL, will likely need Tommy John surgery  —  NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Rafael Montero probably will miss the season after tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow.  —  New York said Thursday that the 27-year-old has a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and will likely need Tommy John surgery.

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 …

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 …

Pirates enter 2018 with retooled roster, modest expectations  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Depending on the person asked in the clubhouse, the Pittsburgh Pirates are rebuilding.  Or they're not.  They're retooling.  Or they're not.  They're pointing toward 2019 and beyond.  Or they're focused on the here and now.

Another big night for young Blue Jays Bichette and Guerrero  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The kids are still all right — and continue to make a big-league impression in their first spring with the Jays.  —  Those who made their way south for a rare Grapefruit League game under …

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.

Roster comes into focus as Cincinnati Reds trim nine  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds roster really came into focus Thursday with a major cutdown.  —  Nine were sent out: Left-hander Oliver Perez was released.  Right-handers Robert Stephenson and Jackson Stephens were optioned to Triple …