Altuve finalizes Astro-nomical deal

Buchholz joins Royals

The ice may have finally broken for free-agent pitcher Clay Buchholz, who has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Kansas City Royals, according to USA Today.

The deal reportedly is for $1.5 million if Buchholz, 33, makes the major-league roster. He can opt out on May 1 if he's not on the big-league roster by then. There is also $250,000 in incentives in the contract.

A two-time All-Star with the Boston Red Sox over 10 seasons, the right-hander missed almost all of 2017 with a torn flexor tendon in his right arm after Boston traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies before the season started.

The Arizona Diamondbacks say the groin injury sustained by starter Zack Greinke is not serious. But it is serious enough to cost him one game, at least.

Diamondbacks manager Tory Lovullo said Greinke will not start Opening Day.

A 17-game winner in 2017, the right-handed Greinke reportedly said he felt good following a bullpen session on Sunday and is expected to start on Wednesday against San Francisco.

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to start the season on the disabled list, manager Aaron Boone said.

Ellsbury, 34, has missed most of spring training due to a strained oblique. He is 1-for-10 in four games.

Ellsbury has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons and is slated to be a backup this season with Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner serving as the starters.

Aaron Hicks is the team's fourth outfielder.

Top outfield prospect Ronald Acuna was one of six Atlanta Braves players reassigned to minor-league camp.

Acuna, 20, hit .432 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and four stolen bases in 44 spring training at-bats. By sending him to the minors, the Braves can gain an extra year of contractual control before he becomes a free agent if he isn't called up before April 13.

"We feel like it would probably be best overall, from a philosophical standpoint, to give him more development time," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.

AP / Reuters