TEst 4

Three weeks from Opening Day, a trio of impact starters remain available. We go rotation by rotation to see which staffs could most use a boost.

Esteban Loaiza, who last pitched in the major leagues in 2008, was transferred to federal custody Wednesday after drug charges against him in California were dismissed and his case was moved to federal court.

Right-hander Jose De Leon is the Rays' second top prospect to suffer a major elbow injury this spring training.

With Ryan Braun still learning a new position at first base, Brewers manager Craig Counsell takes wait-and-see approach.

With only three starters locked into their rotation, the Kansas City Royals agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Ricky Nolasco on Wednesday. Nolasco spent the past two years with the Los Angeles Angels.

Luke Gregerson has tightness in his oblique and will miss several days, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

Clayton Kershaw said after striking out Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani in a spring training game, "Good luck to him."

J.D. Martinez made his spring training debut for the Red Sox on Wednesday, going 0-for-2 against Twins right-hander Jake Odorizzi.

Starter-turned-reliever Michael Lorenzen is one of four pitchers vying for a spot in the Reds' starting rotation this spring. He has worked on his delivery in an attempt to become more consistent after struggling in his second start.

The Blue Jays have agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Tyler Clippard. The 33-year-old right-hander had been working out with major league free agents in Bradenton.

Ichiro Suzuki, 44, is heading back to the team with which he started his major league career, finalizing a one-year deal with the Mariners.

Which pitchers are poised to get valuable ninth-inning roles, and who might be out of an expected job by the first pitch of the season? Eric Karabell scouts the relief pitcher market to identify the best options in drafts.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he's going to try to use just four starting pitchers on normal rest, with a "bullpen day" slotted for every fifth day.

Looking for a cheaper version of Aaron Judge? Don't want to spend big on George Springer? We've identified the players you can get later on in the draft who can match their numbers ... as long as you're OK with a bit of risk.

Oakland Athletics DH Brandon Moss, who had been designed for assignment since joining the team from the Royals, has been released.

A leaner Yu Darvish took the mound for the Cubs against the Dodgers on Tuesday and showed his range in two innings against his former team. Asked why he lost weight, Darvish said it was because of his struggles in the World Series.

Mike Trout has been the single most valuable player through 2017, but looking ahead all the way to 2022, there's a crowded field of rivals to claim his crown.

Left-hander Francisco Liriano, making his first start for the Tigers, threw two scoreless innings against the Yankees, striking out Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez. "His changeup is phenomenal," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said.

For major league veterans, spring training is as easygoing as baseball gets -- unless you are moving to a new spot on the diamond. This March, some players are learning the transition process is hard work.

Tim Lincecum is set to finalize a contract and return to the major leagues for the first time in two years.