MLB making small changes to pitch clock rules, memo says  —  Major League Baseball is making slight changes to its new pitch clock rules but will not alter the most significant portions of the mandates that have shaved 25 minutes off game times this spring, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.

Japan plates 2 in ninth, ousts Mexico in World Baseball Classic  —  MIAMI — Munetaka Murakami, a Japanese Triple Crown winner who, at 23, is already among the best hitters in the world, thought about bunting.  —  It was the ninth inning, two runners occupied first and second base with nobody out …

Chicago Cubs 3B prospect James Triantos undergoes knee surgery and will miss at least 6-8 weeks, sources say  —  ExpandAutoplay  —  1 of 53  —  Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ, pitcher Kyle Hendricks, pitcher Marcus Stroman and right fielder Seiya Suzuki.

“Friday Night Baseball” resumes on Apple TV+ on April 7  —  Weekly doubleheaders begin with the Texas Rangers at the Chicago Cubs, and the San Diego Padres at the Atlanta Braves  —  Today Apple and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that “Friday Night Baseball,” a weekly doubleheader …

Cardinals opening day starter Adam Wainwright will instead begin year on injured list  —  Video by Jordan Opp, jopp@post-dispatch.com  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A few hours before being named officially as the Cardinals' opening day starter for his final season in the majors …

Brett Baty's spring training epiphany: There's no rush at third base  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — At the start of spring training, the story on Brett Baty was straightforward.  Nobody doubted his ability to hit.  There were plenty of questions about his defense.

A Scoreless Wonder and a Master of the Sinker  —  Among the National League's most promising young pitchers, Arizona's Zac Gallen and San Francisco's Logan Webb stand out as Cy Young Award candidates.  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Zac Gallen had just been promoted to Class AA …

UCF steps into unknown territory with NIT matchup at Oregon  —  The Knights try to keep their season alive today in Eugene when they play the Ducks for the first time.  —  UCF (19-14) has had an up-and-down season but can salvage the disappointment of not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament …

Nets lose 4th in a row; rally late and fall short to Cavs, 115-109  —  No wonder the Cavaliers want the Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs this season.  —  If that hypothetical series goes anything like the Nets' 115-109 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday, Cleveland may as well own a first-round bye.