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.

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 …

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.

(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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Sources: Gang members tried to rob Warriors' Speights  —  SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Police sources tell KTVU that a member of the Golden State Warriors had a gun pulled on him this week outside a nightclub in San Francisco.  —  Center Marreese Speights was at the Cellar Night Club on Sutter Street downtown early Monday morning.

Rooftop owners' suit accuses Cubs of bad faith in Wrigley redevelopment  —  The Chicago Cubs played hardball with Wrigley Field rooftop owners — blocking the historic ballpark views of owners who refused to sell up, while clearing the sightlines from rooftops the Cubs were able to purchase, a lawsuit filed Thursday alleges.

Sources: QB Hill asks for release from A&M  —  Texas A&M sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill has asked for his release from the school and is expected to transfer, sources close to Hill and the program told ESPN.com on Thursday.  —  Hill, from the north Dallas suburb of Southlake, could be looking to play closer to home.

Foul Territory Blog  —  Joey Gallo was named the Texas Rangers Minor League Tom Grieve Player of the Year after hitting 42 home runs in 126 games with Class A Myrtle Beach and Double A Frisco.  It was Texas minor league record.  Gallo, 21, also had 106 RBIs while batting .271

Sources say Hinkie reneged on agreement to release Kirilenko  —  When the 76ers play the Nets on Friday night in Brooklyn, there won't be any on-court reunions with former teammates for the three players involved in a Dec. 11 trade between the teams.  That's because none of them will be there.