MLB salaries 2018: A 3.5% raise for average major leaguer - but future commitments dipping  —  TORONTO - The free-agent market was a dud this winter, leaving Major League Baseball players and their agents seething.  —  Ultimately, baseball's average salary compared to 2017 amounted to a cost-of-living bump …

First rain delay: Reds reschedule opener vs Nationals  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds have pushed back their season opener against the Washington Nationals by a day because rain is forecast for all day Thursday.  —  They'll open on Friday afternoon instead, taking advantage of what was a scheduled day off for both teams.

Column: Smooth sailing ahead for the Cubs — at least until October  —  Chicago Tribune  —  From Jon Lester's wayward bounce throw to Tommy La Stella's pop-up bounce house, the Cubs got through another spring training with a healthy diet of hard work and comic relief.

Mets promote Tebow to Double-A after spring training slump  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Tebow has been promoted to Double-A after going 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts in big league spring training for the New York Mets.  —  The Mets said Wednesday that the outfielder has been assigned to start the season at Binghamton of the Eastern League.

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 …

Nationals' Bryce Harper is about to step into the storm that's been brewing his entire life  —  The Washington Post  —  One Sunday morning a few years ago, in the well-worn clubhouse at Turner Field, Bryce Harper sat on the edge of the black leather rolling chair at his locker and looked around the near-empty room.

Mike Francesa and Chris Russo reunite, take digs at WFAN: 'There'll be nobody on WFAN before you know it'  —  Mike and the Mad Dog poked fun at their struggling former employer Wednesday.  —  Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, appearing side-by-side on Russo's “High Heat” show on MLB Network …

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.

5 things Rangers fans need to know about the Houston Astros ahead of opening day 2018  —  Five things to know about the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros, who open a four-game series against the Rangers on Thursday at Globe Life Park:  —  1. The Astros won the season series with the Rangers at 12-7 last year.

Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki isn't done proving doubters wrong despite receiving Opening Day start  —  Kevin Plawecki has a chip on his shoulder.  The Mets catcher took issue with the people who said the team should sign a veteran catcher.  He let that motivate him and took a strong finish …

Rays' Eovaldi to have arthroscopic surgery on pitching elbow  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has loose bodies in his pitching elbow and will undergo arthroscopic surgery.  —  The 28-year-old right-hander, expected to be part of the Rays rotation after recovering …

How the bobblehead became a beloved symbol of baseball season  —  There is probably no better indicator of how surprisingly good Justin Smoak was in 2017 than the fact he was selected to be a bobblehead this year  —  As he walked to work on a bright, subzero morning in Toronto last week …

James Shields hopes to help White Sox surge as he did with Royals  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Shooting the breeze in the visitor's dugout with teammates, coaches and staff during a club workout Wednesday afternoon, White Sox right-hander James Shields looked back fondly on his two seasons with the Royals.

Cards remove pitcher, infielder from 40-man roster to add Jordan Hicks, Francisco Pena  —  NEW YORK  • To make room on the 40-man roster for two players who elbowed their way onto the opening day roster, the Cardinals removed one of the few backup lefthanded-hitting infielders …

Luis Severino ready to improve after breakout season, says he's more comfortable in pressure situations  —  TORONTO - Luis Severino believes there is plenty he can improve upon from his breakout 2017 season, which would mean he'd have to finish first or second in the American League in ERA or in the league's Cy Young voting this year.

Last Slide  —  The last time the Diamondbacks played a game that mattered, J.D. Martinez was hitting cleanup.  He is gone, having departed as a free agent.  His replacement, Steven Souza Jr., is gone, as well, placed on the disabled list to open the year.  —  Manager Torey Lovullo …