Cardinals notes: ‘Big target’ Wieters begins bid to be Molina's backup  —  LAKELAND, Fla.  • A few times in his first week with the Cardinals, veteran catcher Matt Wieters has mentioned how he despises being late.  Ask his wife, he has said.  Ask his family, he insisted.

MLB win totals: How we see the 2019 season unfolding  —  What I'm Hearing: Bob Nightengale was in attendance for Bryce Harper's introductory press conference for the Philadelphia Phillies.  He says it was made clear what the expectations are for this year and beyond.  —  CONNECT

Dodgers ace Kershaw could miss opening day start  —  Clayton Kershaw might not be on the mound when the two-time NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers start the season.  —  The lefty ace is working his way back from shoulder soreness that caused him to shut down his spring training.

Clippers knock out Lakers, likely ending their playoff dreams  —  LOS ANGELES — Just over a month ago, LeBron James made a triumphant return against the Clippers - the franchise that's so often played second fiddle in their own town.  —  Monday night, the Clippers paid him back …

All Hand's on deck!  Indians pitchers, coaches marvel at closer Brad Hand's calm demeanor  —  Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand has marvelled teammates and coaches alike with his calm demeanor in tough situations.  —  CLEVELAND — Major League Baseball relievers, and more specifically …

Al Leiter realizes another Mets dream  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Al Leiter is ditching the Yankees TV booth for a seat within Brodie Van Wagenen's cabinet.  —  Leiter, who suited up for both New York teams during his near two decades in the big leagues, will serve as a baseball operations advisor for the Mets, the team announced on Monday.

Extensions are MLB's new normal.  Are Bryant, other Cubs next?  —  MESA, Ariz. — Has there been a change in strategy around baseball?  What used to be the goal of nearly every player — earning the right to choose which team he plays for — might now be less appealing.

Twins tap All-Star Berrios to start on opening day  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jose Berrios will be Minnesota's Opening Day starter, the first such assignment for the 24-year-old right-hander.  —  Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced the decision to reporters on Monday, a natural honor for the team's only All-Star last season.

Who is White Sox prospect Nick Madrigal?  —  The White Sox drafted Nick Madrigal with the No. 4 pick in the 2018 draft.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Tim Anderson handled the question as easily as a routine two-hopper.  —  Asked which player had most impressed him during spring training, the White Sox shortstop replied: “Nick Madrigal.

Yankees' Sabathia to serve as ESPN analyst  —  New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia is joining ESPN as a baseball analyst this season, the network announced Tuesday.  —  Sabathia, who confirmed last month that 2019 will be his final season in the majors, is set to appear on a number of ESPN shows …

Projecting win-loss record for all 30 teams now that Bryce has signed  —  With the Phillies' signing of Bryce Harper last week, we can start to turn our full focus on spring training, as the time-honored baseball calendar dictates.  Most of what Scott Boras would call the “steak” of the free-agent market has been served.

Amed Rosario hit by pitch on hand, but X-ray brings good news  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets seemingly have avoided a major concern as X-rays taken on Amed Rosario's left hand came back negative.  —  Rosario left Monday's 9-3 loss to the Red Sox after being hit by a pitch.

Snapshots from the first half of new-look Blue Jays spring training  —  DUNEDIN - Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, always glad to chat about his two kids, shared a conversation he had with his 11-year-old son Alex the other day.  —  The update from his off-season home centred around …