Mayers pitches one inning, makes Cardinals team  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • In their final home exhibition game, the Cardinals trotted out nine pitchers in nine innings.  Some were minor leaguers and righthander Mike Mayers, who started the game, came to camp with that designation.

Expectations are sky-high for Yankees newcomers Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Boone … Giancarlo Stanton was among the last to arrive at his locker on a recent spring training day.  —  Twelve carefully placed bats protruded from the top of his locker near a corner of the clubhouse …

Mets send Zack Wheeler to Triple-A Las Vegas  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets informed Zack Wheeler on Saturday that he did not make the team and will begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas.  —  The demotion was a bitter pill for Wheeler, who hasn't been a minor leaguer since 2013.

Top 10 most impactful events from Rays spring training  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Of all the topics covered in our special section reviewing the first 20 seasons in Rays history, we didn't spend much time on spring trainings.  Just as well, because the just-about-completed 21st would be by far the most eventful.

Brandon Drury says he'll be ready for Yankees' opening day  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Brandon Drury has a knot on his left elbow, but “I'll be ready Thursday, for sure,” he said of the Yankees' opener at Toronto.  —  During Friday's game against Boston, the Yankees' third baseman was drilled …

Detroit Tigers release utility man Alexi Amarista; 27 players remain  —  Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch spoke to reporters on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Lakeland, Fla. Video by George Sipple/DFP  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It appears that Niko Goodrum and JaCoby Jones are going to make the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day roster.

Michael Conforto progressing but still likely to start year on Mets' disabled list  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Despite his quick progression, Mets outfielder Michael Conforto is “likely” to start the year on the disabled list, according to manager Mickey Callaway.  —  Callaway floated a scenario …

Madison Bumgarner's injury officially closes the book on Giants' title window  —  SportsPulse: The Dodgers have won their division five years in a row.  Are they a lock to do it again?  USA TODAY Sports  —  CONNECT  —  The window is now shut.  —  The San Francisco Giants kept trying …

Greg Bird scratched from Yankees spring training start with sore foot, will see doctor  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Greg Bird has been scratched from Saturday's split-squad game at Disney World due to a sore right foot.  —  The Yankees first baseman is headed back to Tampa and due to be examined on Saturday afternoon.

Red Sox sign Christian Vazquez to three-year extension  —  The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Christian Vazquez to a three-year extension through the 2021 season, it was announced Saturday.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright will not appeal a 15-game suspension for an offseason domestic violence arrest.

Rangers release Bartolo Colon from minor league deal  —  The Texas Rangers have released 44-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon from his minor league contract Saturday.  —  The Rangers had brought the right-hander Colon into camp with a guarantee of $1.75 million if he made the major leaguer roster.

Mets' David Wright is baseball's lone captain in 2018  —  Anthony Rizzo is a three-time All-Star and the 2017 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's biggest honor for sportsmanship and community involvement.  Jon Lester is a three-time World Series champion, and Jason Heyward organized …

Brewers ship 2017 Opening Day starter Junior Guerra to minors  —  PHOENIX — The Milwaukee Brewers have optioned Junior Guerra, their Opening Day starter a year ago, to Triple-A Colorado Springs.  —  Guerra has made five spring starts and is scheduled to pitch Sunday's Cactus League finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Phillies release reliever Francisco Rodriguez  —  The Philadelphia Phillies released reliever Francisco Rodriguez on Saturday.  —  Rodriguez, 36, posted a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances this spring.  —  He was guaranteed $2.5 million if he made the Phillies' Opening Day roster.

Royals release pitcher Ricky Nolasco, outfielder Michael Saunders  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Royals on Saturday released pitcher Ricky Nolasco and outfielder Michael Saunders, each of whom was on a minor-league contract with opt-out clauses.  —  Saunders, signed by the Royals …

Royals starter Danny Duffy removed from final Cactus League start  —  SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.  —  After a pair of mound visits at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Royals opening day starter Danny Duffy was removed from his final outing of spring training Saturday.

Jake Arrieta to make Phillies debut April 8 against Miami  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - The day started with Jake Arrieta's scheduled side session on a mound back at the Phillies' spring-training home in Clearwater.  It ended with manager Gabe Kapler revealing the plan that will get the prized free-agent pitcher …

Cubs starter Jon Lester grateful to finish spring injury-free  —  MESA, Ariz. — Jon Lester wasn't crazy about pitching Saturday at 10 a.m., but the controlled setting of a minor-league game zapped much of the adrenaline that could have led to an injury that would have affected Thursday's Opening Day start.