The Phillies released Bobby Abreu on Thursday, bringing an end to the veteran outfielder’s comeback attempt with his former team.

Beat the Streak is back for year 14, with new prizes and new rules to make winning the $5.6 million jackpot easier than ever.

Royals right-hander Louis Coleman has pitched through pain since jamming the middle finger of his pitching hand at the start of Spring Training, but the injury has impacted his control.

After several years in which the Tigers were the presumptive favorite, the AL Central no longer lends itself to assumptions, thanks to the-up-and-coming Indians and Royals, both hot on Detroit’s heels.

The Pirates have agreed to a six-year extension with left fielder Starling Marte that includes two club option years and is worth $31 million, according to a source. The Pirates have not confirmed the agreement.

At the start of the 162-game season, there is probably no more daunting task in the National League Central than trying to run down the Cardinals, who look to be deeper and stronger than the team that went to the World Series last season.

Still trying to finish piecing together their bullpen, the Cardinals have made a late addition to the competition by signing right-hander David Aardsma to a Minor League deal.

With a day off after they open their season in Baltimore on Monday, the Red Sox will travel to Washington to meet President Barack Obama at the White House.

Opening Day starter Felix Hernandez struck out six in his final Cactus League start, and the Mariners got home runs from Mike Zunino and Stefen Romero in a 9-6 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd launched back-to-back home runs, and Jeff Manship turned in a solid start as the Phillies defeated the Yankees, 6-0, on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur, 30, hit .286 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 39 plate appearances with the Indians this spring. He is expected to begin the season with Triple-A El Paso.

Taijuan Walker threw 48 pitches in a three-inning Minor League outing Tuesday, as the Mariners’ top prospect took another step toward returning from a sore shoulder that sidelined him early in Spring Training.

When one of Nick Punto’s teammates drills a walk-off hit, that player’s uniform does not stand a chance of surviving the postgame celebration.

Manager Bud Black hasn’t revealed who will catch Andrew Cashner on Sunday night in the season opener, but it appears that Yasmani Grandal — returning from Aug. 6 knee surgery — has put himself in prime position to make the roster.

Chipper Jones understands that Father Time has already robbed him of some of the hair he had during his younger days. But he has willingly committed to lose more in an effort to aid cancer-stricken children.

Masahiro Tanaka is still more than a week away from throwing his first pitch in a Major League game, which explains why the Yankees right-hander’s expression remains placid on the topic.

The Giants announced Tuesday that Marco Scutaro received a diagnostic nerve block for his ailing back, a procedure that probably will put the second baseman and No. 2 hitter on the disabled list to start the regular season.