Slimmer Cecil struggles on mound for Cardinals  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.  • With fewer innings remaining to find his way and more pounds to add to his weight, Cardinals lefty Brett Cecil appeared in a game for the first time in 11 days and continued to find results that, like his frame, are thin.

Decisions, decisions: Cubs must weigh many factors when finalizing their opening-day roster  —  Chicago Tribune  —  It came as a minor surprise last spring when Cubs cut ties with reliever Justin Grimm, handing him nearly $540,000 in termination pay.  —  But this is the time in spring training …

Tanner Roark ‘ran out of a little gas’ after strong start in Cincinnati Reds' loss to Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Tanner Roark says his first 3 innings against the D-Backs were his best of the spring, striking out 6.  Roark gave up a three-run homer in the 4th.  —  CONNECT

Julio Urías exercises impressive restraint, while Dodgers attempt to restrain his usage  —  SCOTTSDALE - A decade ago, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin was catching a rookie left-hander named Clayton Kershaw.  Sunday he caught another young left-hander, Julio Urías, who is effectively restarting his young career at age 22.

Twins' Byron Buxton carrying more bulk, moxie this season  —  Byron Buxton has changed.  He is bigger and stronger.  Already one of baseball's fastest players, he says he gained speed this winter.  —  But that's not the change that matters the most.  The soft-spoken small-town kid …

Brewers players consider Bob Uecker one of their own, including divvying up playoff money  —  SportsPulse: Now that Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have signed we can finally look ahead to actual baseball.  Here are the storylines that will define the MLB in 2019.  —  CONNECT

Dellin Betances worry lingers over Yankees' mind-blowing bullpen  —  TAMPA — The Yankees invested in and built up their bullpen this winter to be dominant.  On paper, they could have the best in baseball with the addition of Adam Ottavino and return of Zack Britton, and a back end featuring Dellin Betances …

King Felix upset he won't start Opening Day  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Felix Hernandez doesn't think he could have changed the mind of Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais about Opening Day even by pitching well this spring.  —  With his ERA approaching 16, it's a moot point.  —  King Felix is royally agitated anyway.

Masahiro Tanaka shuts down Yankees Opening Day doubts  —  TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka thinks his playoff experience will help this time.  —  The Yankee right-hander has started three Opening Days without much success.  With him on the mound for the opening game in 2015, '16 and '17 …

Detroit Tigers observations: Matt Moore pitches well, Miguel Cabrera homers  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Matt Moore pitched well, Miguel Cabrera hit a home run, but the Detroit Tigers tied with the Yankees, 2-2, on Sunday afternoon in Lakeland, Fla.  —  In the two teams' fourth and final match …

Sources: D-backs to sign OF Jones to 1-year deal  —  Free-agent outfielder Adam Jones has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.  —  A first-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2003, Jones was one of five players traded …

Angels score six runs in the ninth against Mariners bullpen for a 9-9 tie  —  Right-handers Wyatt Mills and Jack Anderson couldn't hold a 9-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning.  —  Mariners 9, Angels 9 at Tempe Diablo Stadium  —  Notable  —  Up 9-2 going into the eighth inning …

Aaron Nola, who struck out 6 in Sunday's win over the O's, looking forward to ‘crazy’ opening day  —  Aaron Nola pitches in the first inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday in Sarasota, Fla. Nola is looking forward …

Blue Jays prospect Guerrero out 3 weeks with oblique strain  —  SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Highly touted Toronto Blue Jays prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will miss the next three weeks because of a strained left oblique.