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 Detroit Tigers: Scout's opinion on every player on the roster  —  With Opening Day approaching fast, Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers' roster with the help of a pro scout:  —  Rotation  —  LHP Matthew Boyd  —  Age: 27  —  Vitals: 6-3, 215 pounds

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 …

MLB: A's make play for stadium site  —  The Oakland Athletics have offered to take over paying $136 million in debt to take ownership of the Coliseum site, where they can build their long-needed, baseball-only stadium.  —  A's President Dave Kaval recently made the offer to officials …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

SEE IT: MLB releases ‘Game of Thrones’ promo to get you hyped for Opening Day  —  Brace yourselves, baseball is coming.  —  MLB released a fun video on Tuesday to promote Opening Day that baseball and “Game of Thrones” fans alike will love.  —  The promo is nearly identical to the “Game of Thrones” title sequence.

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.

The first pitch  —  Mickey Lolich will throw out the first pitch before the game.  —  Lolich, a staple of Tigers lore for his performance in the 1968 World Series, famously threw out the final pitch of the Tigers' world championship-clincher 50 seasons ago in St. Louis.

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 …

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?