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 …

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 …

Perspective helps UC Irvine's Andee Ritter cherish spot in Big West semifinals  —  ANAHEIM — The best way to describe Andee Ritter's senior season at UC Irvine is to call it a bonanza.  —  The fifth-seeded Anteaters will meet top-seeded UC Davis in a Big West Tournament semifinal game Friday …

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 …

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.

Angels content with pitching depth, despite Andrew Heaney's injury  —  Although Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez are available, the Angels don't appear to be pursuing either  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Despite Andrew Heaney's injury, which could have him starting the season on the injured list …

Indians relief pitcher Tyler Clippard out 3-4 weeks with injury  —  He will officially miss the start of the regular season.  —  The Indians are currently in the process of figuring out who will man their bullpen when the season begins.  Unfortunately, one man will officially …

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.

Police investigate 2 incidents of suspected child abuse at home of Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill  —  OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) — A battery investigation is underway involving a juvenile at the home of Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Tyreek Hill.  —  Overland Park police were called at 4:20 p.m. Thursday …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.