Leadoff is Carpenter's, but Cardinals' Bader enjoys chance to set table  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  • Let the record show that Matt Carpenter's non-batting-gloves-wearing grip remains locked to the leadoff role he has thrived in as a Cardinal.  —  Manager Mike Shildt, unlike his predecessor …

Dodgers' Seager plays SS for 1st time since April  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Corey Seager played shortstop in a game for the first time since April 29, logging three innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a minor league exhibition.  —  The 2016 NL Rookie of the Year had surgery May 4 to repair …

Taylor to get MRI, testing Nats' thin depth at OF  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor favored his left leg as he limped through the clubhouse Friday before heading to have an MRI on his sore knee and hip.  —  Manager Dave Martinez called the test precautionary …

Aaron Hicks may not be ready for Opening Day, and Luis Severino will miss the first month  —  TAMPA — Friday was the first time the Yankees admitted there is a chance that center fielder Aaron Hicks might not be ready for Opening Day and that ace Luis Severino will likely miss the first month.

Jordan Roberts' game-winner completes Long Beach State's comeback win over Hawaii at Big West Tournament  —  ANAHEIM — An 18-point deficit in the opening minutes seemed to spell doom for Long Beach State against Hawaii in the Big West Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night.

Albert Almora Jr. leading off for Cubs against White Sox; David Bote will start at shortstop  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Albert Almora Jr. will lead off Friday when the Cubs travel to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., to face the White Sox.  —  Almora went -for-3 from the ninth spot Thursday …

Gabriel Burns: Why can't Ronald Acuna be the 2019 MVP?  —  BY GABRIEL BURNS THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION  —  Tuesday was the typical afternoon for Ronald Acuna.  Before homering in his second consecutive game, he drew oohs and awes in batting practice, twice putting balls over the mountainous scoreboard in center field.

Rays journal: It was Yandy Diaz Day in Port Charlotte  —  New infielder flashes leather, hits three-run homer in win over Tigers in first of two Friday games.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Yandy Diaz put on a show Friday against the Tigers, making several good plays at first base and blasting …

Mets backup shows why he is a ‘dangerous weapon to have’  —  JUPITER, Fla. — J.D. Davis' usefulness to the Mets this season could be largely dependent upon his ability to produce off the bench.  In that regard, he passed a test of sorts Thursday.  —  Davis' RBI double in the eighth …

Harper bruises foot; no real concern, Kapler says  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — New Phillies star Bryce Harper suffered a bruised right foot when he was hit by a pitch during a spring training game Friday, but manager Gabe Kapler said the team wasn't overly worried about the injury.

What Judge, Yankees think about HR Derby winner getting $1 million  —  TAMPA — A pinstriped update on the 2019 Home Run Derby, in the wake of Thursday's announcement there will be $2.5 million in prize money, including $1 million for the winner, added to the proceedings:  —Aaron Judge is very likely out.

Steven Matz looks to regroup as Mets take on Nationals  —  Steven Matz and the Mets face Jeremy Hellickson and the Washington Nationals in a Grapefruit League game on Friday at 1:10 p.m. at First Data Field.  —  Mets notes  —  Dominic Smith is tied with J.D. Davis for the team lead with eight RBIs. ...

The Rays' latest challenge to baseball convention: Four outfielders  —  Tampa Bay could potentially use the alignment against 15-20 hitters this season.  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Spring training is the time to experiment, and the Rays are never afraid to try something different.

The Big Ben Problem in Pittsburgh, According to Two Ex-Steelers  — Two generational talents have officially left the organization, and two other ex-Steelers point to the quarterback as the root of the franchise's problems.  —  In the social media storm that comes with the first days of free agency, a lot can fly under the radar.

It's a Miracle!  News finally catches up with Jerry Grote, the hard-to-find catcher from the '69 Mets  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Texas twang on the other side of the phone line was unmistakingly Jerry Grote's, even if the former Mets catcher himself has not been heard from in more than 30 years.