Red Sox's Pearce to start season on injured list  —  MESA, Ariz. — Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce will start the season on the injured list, second baseman Dustin Pedroia will start in the Red Sox's spring training finale against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Rick Porcello survived …

Tribe's Ramirez takes grounders after knee injury  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Cleveland is not sure whether Jose Ramirez will play in Thursday's opener at Minnesota.  —  The All-Star third baseman took ground balls on Monday at the Indians' spring training complex in Arizona …

Orioles' Cobb to miss opener, goes on injured list  —  The Baltimore Orioles put scheduled opening-day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list on Monday because of a strained right groin.  —  He likely will be replaced by Andrew Cashner for Thursday's game at the New York Yankees.

Last season's 3-18 start is ancient history for Cincinnati Reds players  —  ATLANTA - It was a bad memory that Reds players say they have completely forgotten.  There's too much excitement for the upcoming season with a new coaching staff and a lot of new players to think about the past.

Cleveland Indians' Carlos Carrasco wins final spring start, Eric Stamets slams Texas  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — After a winter of payroll cutting and a spring training of dealing with injuries, opening day is almost here for the Indians.  —  Carlos Carrasco pitched 5 2/3 innings and Eric Stamets hit …

Wilson, Brewers finalize $750,000, 1-year deal  —  MONTREAL — Reliever Alex Wilson and the Milwaukee Brewers have finalized a $750,000, one-year contract, a deal that includes $825,000 in performance bonuses.  —  The 32-year-old right-hander has a 3.23 ERA in six major league seasons, the past four with Detroit.

Noah Syndergaard is the new Matt Harvey says Mike Francesa  —  Noah Syndergaard hasn't admitted to starring in a baseball field threesome, nor has he boozed the night away before missing a mandatory playoff workout.  —  But in the eyes of the all-seeing Sports Pope, Thor has morphed into The Dark Knight.

Foltynewicz, Minter set for rehab outings  —  Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz will pitch in a minor-league game Friday and Triple-A Gwinnett's season opener April 4 as he works his way back into Atlanta's rotation.  —  Foltynewicz spent most of spring sidelined by a sore elbow.

Jesús Luzardo's rapid ascent has Oakland Athletics excited  —  A spring setback notwithstanding, the A's young lefty is on an ace's path  —  Rewind one year to a seemingly meaningless Cactus League matchup between the A's and Angels in Tempe.  —  Except on this day Oakland decides …

Reasons for Giants optimism on display again in San Jose  —  After years of a fairly dry farm system, Joey Bart and Heliot Ramos offer hope for the Giants  —  Giants baseball at San Jose Municipal Stadium: A slice of Americana, a journey back in time and an event that promises good, old-fashioned family fun.

Can the Giants Spoil Dodgers, Rockies' Party?  Sizing Up the NL West  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The first goal is always to win the division.  Even for the champion Giants clubs of the past decade, the first benchmark they always talked about was taking the NL West and getting into the tournament.

Hunter Pence's return home to Arlington has been an emotional journey  —  Every time Hunter Pence used to see Globe Life Park as a kid growing up in Arlington, he'd have a wild fantasy about one day playing there.  —  The 12-year veteran who turns 36 in three weeks is living …

MLB average salary on track for 2nd straight drop  —  NEW YORK — Even with huge new contracts for Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado, Major League Baseball's average salary is on track to drop on Opening Day for an unprecedented second straight season, according to projections by The Associated Press.

3 Mets to watch, and 3 on the Hot Seat  —  Realistic or not, just about every player enters spring training with the intention of making the Opening Day roster.  But six weeks of grueling workouts, tedious travel, games and roster cuts separate the men from the boys.