NEW YORK – Alex Rodriguez might finally be facing the penalty for his long-suspected steroid use. According to ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” report Tuesday, A-Rod is among roughly 20 baseball players targeted for suspension by Major League Baseball for their involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. MLB’s big break came when they gained the cooperation of [...]

UPDATE: Wacha had a beautiful first outing for the Cardinals, allowing just two hits and one run in seven innings, walking none and striking out six. But the Cardinals’ bullpen cost him a win in his major-league debut by allowing three runs to the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning. The St. Louis Cardinals [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – Ryan Sweeney didn’t want to go back down to the minor leagues, but that’s the way it worked out. At least he wasn’t there very long. The Cedar Rapids Xavier graduate was recalled Monday by the Chicago Cubs from the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. It was immediately uncertain if the 28-year-old outfielder would [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – Reviews of the brand-new movie “42″ have been unanimously favorable. Sounds like that’s the way it is for the guys in the Cedar Rapids Kernels clubhouse who have seen the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier. It’s so good and so inspiring, hitting coach Tommy Watkins has screened it twice already, and it’s [...]

A night after scoring nine runs, the Cedar Rapids Kernels were limited to three hits by the Beloit Snappers. That’s through eight innings. The Kernels rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth, with Travis Harrison scoring from second on Niko Goodrum’s one-out lined single to right for a 3-2 win Friday night [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – The legend of Byron Buxton began when he five years old. In an odd sort of way. Not having enough players for his recreational softball team, Felton Buxton decided it prudent to put his son out in right field. The youngster handled himself pretty well, with the exception of one play. “I got [...]

CEDAR RAPIDS – He has promised his West Coast wife, Tasha, that they’re going to move to a warmer climate. Arizona is the eventual destination. But, for now, Ryan Sweeney just can’t get her out of Iowa. The outfielder from Cedar Rapids said he signed a minor-league contract Tuesday afternoon with the Chicago Cubs. He’s [...]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Fresh from pitching against solid Atlanta hitters, Jake Westbrook faced a far trickier test: Guess how much fans paid for box seats to watch the exhibition game. “Hmmm, I have no idea,” the St. Louis starter ventured. “Twenty bucks?” Gotcha! $54 for top tickets sold Tuesday at the Braves’ ballpark at [...]