Phillies' Jake Arrieta says no soreness after second spring training start  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jake Arrieta felt fine after his second spring training start with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was more important than the mediocre results.  —  Arrieta allowed 4 runs …

Dodgers designate OF Trayce Thompson for assignment  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) The Dodgers have cut outfielder Trayce Thompson, the brother of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson.  —  Thompson was competing for a spot in a crowded Los Angeles outfield that includes Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson and Andrew Toles.

Carpenter's arm passes tests at third, second  —  • Even after his warmup throws from third base Monday, Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter would look over to the dugout for some acknowledgement.  —  After a diving stop and a throw he couldn't make a year ago, he didn't need to.

Yankees run afoul of MLB over player images on beer at Yankee Stadium  —  Trouble might have been brewing for the Yankees over facial images of their players — including Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton — imprinted in beer sold at Yankee Stadium.  The images were displayed at a media event on Monday at the ballpark.

A's prospect A.J. Puk hurts elbow; Tommy John recommended  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Oakland Athletics pitching prospect A.J. Puk has injured his pitching elbow, and Dr. James Andrews is recommending he have Tommy John surgery.  —  The left-handed Puk injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, the team said Tuesday.

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 …

Braves top prospect Acuna's SunTrust debut only a tease  —  Atlanta Braves prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. points to the first base umpire for the call and was called out on strikes during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in a baseball exhibition game Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in Atlanta.

ST Daily: Giant Issues  —  Follow @drewsilv and @Rotoworld_BB on Twitter.  —  Something's definitely up with Mark Melancon.  —  The veteran closer was scratched from a scheduled appearance in an exhibition game Tuesday night against the A's because — as Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area put it …

Angels' Shohei Ohtani to make first start as pitcher Sunday versus Athletics  —  Despite a rocky spring on the mound, two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani will make his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday against the Athletics, manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday night.

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 …

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.

2018 MLB predictions: World Series, MVP picks for the upcoming season  —  There hasn't been a repeat World Series champion since the 1998-99 New York Yankees.  —  And if USA TODAY Sports' seven-person panel is any indication, the streak likely will continue this season.

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?

Victor Caratini builds bond with Cardinals pitcher seriously injured by his line drive  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Daniel Poncedeleon knows it might sound silly, but the competitor within him often emerges when he thinks about the moment that threatened his life.  —  Ask him about that terrifying afternoon last spring.

Cincinnati Reds season rests on young rotation; Can Castillo, Mahle, Romano, Garrett come through?  —  The Reds had message for their young starting pitching when last season ended: Get better.  —  That message was re-enforced during a pitching summit in Arizona in January.

Column: Upbeat as ever, Rick Renteria begins Year Two of White Sox rebuild  —  Chicago Tribune  —  You're not going to get many managers as upbeat as Rick Renteria, who sometimes was referred to as Ricky Sunshine during his only season with the Cubs in 2014.

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 …