Cardinals set opening roster, remove Lucas, Valera to make room for Hicks, Pena  —  • After making two moves they hope won't erode the depth they might need later, the Cardinals finalized their 25-man roster for Thursday's opening day at Citi Field.  —  To make room for Jordan Hicks …

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 …

Rusty Staub, beloved Mets icon, dead at 73  —  In every way, Rusty Staub, the beloved Mets' hitting icon, who passed away early Thursday morning at age 73, was bigger than life — a bigger-than-life baseball personality, humanitarian, gourmet chef, wine connoisseur, friend-to-all and …

Japanese baseball stars returning home from MLB to extend careers … Daisuke Matsuzaka says he still has something to prove.  —  Koji Uehara wants to help his former team regain its past glory.  —  The two former U.S. major leaguers are among several Japanese stars that will be looking …

Grease fire causes smoke inside Tropicana Field before Rays opener  —  A small grease fire in the upper deck of Tropicana Field on Thursday caused a smoky haze to fall over the playing field five hours before the first pitch of the regular-season opener between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

MLB Opening Day: Find Out When All 30 Baseball Teams Will Kick Off The 2018 Season  —  Play Ball!  Major League Baseball's Opening Day is here, kicking off the 2018 season.  From the World Series champion Houston Astros to the New York Yankees, find out when your favorite team will hit the field.

Cubs wear Stoneman Douglas T-shirts to honor Parkland victims before Opening Day game  —  The Cubs have kicked off their season by supporting Majory Stoneman Douglas High School.  —  Chicago manager Joe Maddon addressed reporters while wearing a “#MSDStrong” T-shirt before Thursday's Opening Day game against the Marlins.

Sources: Cardinals working to close a deal with Greg Holland  —  NEW YORK  • A few days after suggesting they were ready to go into the regular season without a closer and throw a variety of pitchers at the ninth inning, including rookie Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals have made a move to answer their biggest question.

Game Day: Arizona Diamondbacks open 2018 season against Colorado Rockies  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks open the 2018 regular season against the Colorado Rockies.  Follow this page for updates, news and analysis throughout the series.  —  PREVIEW: Diamondbacks' lineup looks thin with Steven Souza injured

Giants place closer Mark Melancon on 10-day DL with elbow injury  —  The San Francisco Giants placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a right elbow flexor strain.  —  The move was made retroactive to March 26.  Right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill his roster spot.

Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: How to follow Opening Day game  —  Let's look back at some of the first pitches - ceremonial and in-game - to open the Detroit Tigers' season at home.  We start with Justin Verlander throwing the first pitch against the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Comerica Park.

Cubs not taking Marlins, or any team, for granted  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The Marlins may have as many as a dozen players participating in opening-day festivities for the first time.  —  Their No. 2 starter, Caleb Smith, was a Rule 5 pick whom the Cubs returned to the Yankees last spring.

Troy Tulowitzki placed on 60-day DL with bone spurs in heel  —  The Toronto Blue Jays placed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the 60-day disabled list Thursday as they set their 25-man roster for Opening Day.  —  Tulowitzki has been dealing with bilateral heel bone spurs and was scheduled to see a specialist on Wednesday.

Angels' Shohei Ohtani to make MLB debut at DH  —  Japanese star and prized offseason acquisition Shohei Ohtani is set to make his major-league debut as a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, batting eighth against the Oakland Athletics.  —  The 23-year-old two-way player …

Cincinnati Reds send DeSclafani to 60-day DL, four to 10-day; Reed, Stephens called up  —  The Reds roster is finally set.  It took a spate of moves, but it's set.  —  “We're used to juggling on certain things,” President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said.  “We juggled a little uncertainty.

Salvy Sidelined  —  Salvador Perez has been the most durable catcher in the majors over the past five seasons, but he's going to get a late start on his 2018 campaign after suffering a Grade 2 MLC tear in his left knee.  —  According to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star …