Detroit Tigers spring training confirms expectation for losing season  —  The beginning of the Major League Baseball season brings a new round of predictions.  The Detroit Free Press' Anthony Fenech and George Sipple give their prognostications for the 2018 season.  Wochit  —  CONNECT

Yanks' Greg Bird has ankle surgery again, out 6-8 weeks  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Oft-injured New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird had surgery on his ailing right ankle and could be sidelined for nearly two months.  —  The Yankees said Tuesday's operation went as planned.

Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland says starters need to perform consistently  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —Dave Eiland marveled at the Mets pitching staff during the World Series in 2015 while he instructed Kansas City's hurlers.  —  Now, as the Mets' pitching coach, Eiland is equally as impressed …

Yankees have lowest payroll ranking since 1992  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees are on track to open the season this week with baseball's seventh-highest payroll, their lowest ranking since 1992, according to projections by The Associated Press.  —  The Boston Red Sox will top …

Aaron Judge switches equipment to Adidas from Under Armour  —  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is switching his equipment supplier to Adidas from Under Armour.  —  Adidas said Tuesday it had agreed to a multiyear partnership with the AL Rookie of the Year, who set a rookie record with 52 home runs last season.

Gabe Kapler pleased with his first camp as Phillies manager  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - The easy part is over for Gabe Kapler and his young Phillies team.  The book on spring training closed Tuesday afternoon following a 5-5 exhibition tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates and, predictably …

Top prospect Ronald Acuna rejects Braves' $30 million contract offer  —  Atlanta Braves top prospect Ronald Acuna recently rejected a $30 million contract extension offer from the team, a source told ESPN Deportes.  —  The deal would have been in the range of five to six years, the source told ESPN Deportes.

Cardinals decide Hicks is ready now, promote power pitcher for opening day  —  MONTREAL  • The conversation started Sunday after hotshot rookie Jordan Hicks blistered through the Washington Nationals lineup in a sudden appearance no one expected him to make as recently as last week.

Twins putting RHP Phil Hughes on DL to begin season  —  WASHINGTON — Minnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes is beginning the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique.  —  Twins manager Paul Molitor said before an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday …

Will this be the year the Cincinnati Reds finally take a step in the right direction?  —  From the front office to owner's box to clubhouse, the Reds seem to sense that this is year that the franchise has to take a step forward.  —  Call it Rebuilding Fatigue.

Nationals put 2B Daniel Murphy, RHP Joaquin Benoit on DL  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals have put second baseman Daniel Murphy and right-handed reliever Joaquin Benoit on the 10-day disabled list.  —  The Nationals also put righty Koda Glover on the 60-day DL and selected …

Daily News Sports Talk Podcast: Host Daniel Popper and David Adler talk MLB Opening Day  —  MLB.com's David Adler (@_dadler) joins the Popcast this week to talk baseball with Opening Day just two days away.  Adler and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) bounce around the league and touch …

Ohtani gets a hit, Angels beat Dodgers in Freeway exhibition  —  Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Enrique Hernandez, left, tags out Albert Pujols at second as Pujols tried to stretch a single into a double during the first inning of a preseason baseball game Monday, March 26, 2018, in Los Angeles.

Phillies need pleasant surprises from these players to contend |  David Murphy  —  If you are looking for a basis for optimism about this Phillies season, 2015 is a pertinent year.  At the time, rebuilding projects in Houston and Chicago were at a juncture similar to the one the Phillies' is at now.

Marlins turn down $200G check from Marlins Man for season tickets: report  —  Marlins Man is no more in Miami.  —  For the first time since 1993, the orange-clad diehard fan of the now floundering baseball team will not have season tickets to Marlins games, after the team rejected his $200,000 check …

Dodgers Designate Trayce Thompson, Claim Cory Mazzoni From Cubs  —  The Dodgers have claimed right-hander Cory Mazzoni off waivers from the Cubs, the team announced on Twitter.  Mazzoni has been optioned to Triple-A. To create roster space, outfielder Trayce Thompson has been designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

White Sox rehire groundskeeper after wrongful conviction, more than 20 years in prison  —  A member of the Chicago White Sox groundskeeping crew returned to work Monday after being wrongfully convicted and spending more than two decades in prison.  —  Nevest Coleman was convicted in 1997 …

In Montreal, Carpenter continues his nomadic finish to spring training  —  MONTREAL  • The plan entering spring training was to get Matt Carpenter prepared for three positions, any of which he could play on any during the season.  That plan changed when the Cardinals' No. 3 hitter was sidelined by back and shoulder issues.