US govt. clears Cuban flamethrower Lopez to sign  —  Cuban right-handed pitching prospect Yoan Lopez has been cleared by the United States government, and he is expected to sign with a Major League team before the start of Spring Training, according to industry an source.

BREAKING: Oregon wide receiver Darren Carrington suspended for national title game  —  Your browser does not support iframes.  —  DALLAS - Oregon redshirt freshman wide receiver Darren Carrington failed a NCAA administered drug test and did not make the trip to Texas for Monday's national title game …

Deal between Kalish, Blue Jays falls through  —  Ryan Kalish is returning to free agency after he and the Toronto Blue Jays failed to complete the minor-league contract they agreed to last month.  —  It's unclear why the deal came apart.  The outfielder appeared in 57 games with the Chicago Cubs …

Nationals outfielder will be out of action when Spring Training begins  —  MLB.com Nationals reporter Bill Ladson talks about the impact of Jayson Werth's shoulder surgery that could delay the start of his season  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth had arthroscopic surgery on his right AC joint Friday.

Former Seattle Steelhead played 10 seasons of baseball after serving in World War II  —  Ken Griffey Jr., Herb Simpson and Alvin Davis at Safeco Field in 2013.  (Ben Van Houten/Mariners)  —  SEATTLE — Herb Simpson, the last known surviving member of the Seattle Steelheads …

Mets' Flynn elected to Groundskeepers HOF  —  Pete Flynn is hugged by manager Terry Collins after Flynn threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game in 2011.  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's groundskeepers have elected longtime Mets employee Pete Flynn to the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame, the team announced on Friday.

(Getty Images)  —  The Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are moving close to a deal, sources said.  —  The sides have been talking about a four-year deal for the power-hitting infielder who had a monster year for the Nexen Heroes last year, hitting 40 home runs and batting .356 in 117 games.

Acquiring left-hander could make St. Louis an early World Series favorite  —  Could Cards look to add starter?  —  MLB.com Cardinals reporter Jenifer Langosch looks at whether the health of their starters could cause them to add depth to their rotation  —  If the Cardinals add Cole Hamels …

2015 Milwaukee Brewers Top 10 Prospects  —  Want More?  Complete 2015 Top 10 Prospects Rankings  —  Get it all: Subscribe to Baseball America  —  Go 30 deep: Order the 2015 Prospect Handbook!  —  The Brewers' record stood at 73-58 on Aug. 25, and they led the National League Central …

Bengals' Pacman Jones loses $12.4M judgment appeal in Nevada  —  LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld an order for Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones to pay more than $12.4 million in damages in the shooting of two former Las Vegas strip club doormen, including one left paralyzed during a 2007 melee.