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.

MLB notebook: Outfielder Davis, 37, makes roster for Indians  —  Outfielder Davis, 37, makes roster for Indians  —  Rajai Davis made it all the way back with the Cleveland Indians.  Mike Napoli remains on the outside.  —  Davis, who hit perhaps the most memorable home run in club history during …

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.”

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 starter Jeff Samardzija has shoulder pain, getting MRI  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On the eve of breaking camp and going north, the Giants are dealing with a potentially serious setback in the one unit of the team that has the least experienced depth.  —  Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija …

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.

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 …

Rockies look to reel in playoff spot … DENVER — Charlie Blackmon didn't need much baiting: The lure of a fishing contest in the middle of spring training was incentive enough.  —  So the quirky Colorado Rockies outfielder/avid outdoorsman slipped into some waders and grabbed his fishing rod …

Joe Maddon ecstatic over way players have bought into team-first mentality  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The only ingredients missing from Camp Maddon are a campfire and marshmallows.  —  “I've been around a lot of good spots,” Joe Maddon said Thursday as his 13th spring training as manager nears its end.

Pedro Strop feels ‘great’ after first spring outing but waiting for Cubs' seal of approval  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It turns out manager Joe Maddon's knee — not Pedro Strop's calf — received more medical attention Thursday night.  —  Maddon was in obvious discomfort and had to leave …

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 …

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 …