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.

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 …

Next Slide  —  At Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.  —  What happened: The Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, in their Grapefruit League finale. ...  Left-hander Matthew Boyd threw five solid innings. ...  Cam Gibson was credited with the game-winning hit, a two-out RBI double in the top of the seventh inning. ...

Cubs manager Joe Maddon enthused about defensive improvement for 2018  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Cubs' hopes for a return to the World Series isn't limited solely to rebound seasons from players on an offense that barely changed its personnel from 2017.  —  They anticipate their defense …

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.

Weaver finishes spring with (ho hum) another handful of shutout innings  —  MONTREAL  • There hasn't been the fanfare of the new guy imported from Japan or the older guy reworking his stuff, or even the less young guy with his new curveball or the opening day starter and his odd spring.

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 …

Despite trade speculation, Domingo Santana remains with Brewers and is happy about it  —  HOUSTON - When the Milwaukee Brewers finished their exhibition season Tuesday and headed for San Diego to open the season, Domingo Santana was still on the team.  —  How many people predicted that wouldn't happen?

2001 Arizona Diamondbacks: Where are they now? … “You've gotta believe!”  —  That was the Diamondbacks' rallying cry over and over throughout a mildly chilly evening on Nov. 4, 2001, at Bank One Ballpark.  It was Sunday, Game 7 of the World Series against the 26-time world champion New York Yankees …

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.

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 …

How Ketel Marte's contract extension with Arizona Diamondbacks came to be  —  You don't see many baseball players under the age of 25 signing lengthy contract extensions.  In the age of free agency, locking up talented, young players has become increasingly difficult for MLB teams.

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 …

M's Scott Servais: Ichiro (calf) ‘not quite at 100 percent yet’  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners are monitoring Ichiro Suzuki's strained right calf to determine whether he'll be on the opening day roster or the disabled list.  —  Suzuki, 44, went -for-3 with a walk …

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.

2001 Arizona Diamondbacks: Where are they now? … Following the team's postseason run in 2007, the Diamondbacks made a handful of moves with the biggest being the seven-player blockbuster trade that brought them starting right-handed pitcher Dan Haren from Oakland in exchange for pitchers Brett Anderson …

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.

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.

Indians Claim Jack Leathersich, Trade Rob Refsnyder To Rays  —  The Indians announced a series of moves this afternoon, including a claim of lefty Jack Leathersich from the Pirates.  (The @RedSoxStats Twitter feed was first to report the claim earlier today.)