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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

(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.

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.

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.

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.