Torii Hunter played a big part in helping Mike Trout become one baseball’s best at age 21. Now Trout is starting to come to grips with the reality that his biggest mentor probably won’t be back next season.

Outfielder Jason Bourgeois has declined an assignment to Triple-A Omaha and decided to become a free agent, the Royals announced on Monday.

Mark Montgomery has wasted little time transforming from an off-the-radar prospect to a special find by the Yankees’ scouting department.

Right-hander Ervin Santana was happy and healthy as he spent his first day in Kansas City as a member of the Royals on Monday.

Right-hander Ervin Santana was happy and healthy as he spent his first day in Kansas City as a member of the Royals on Monday.

The Rangers are going to be serious players for free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke, but they also have to address their bullpen and catching situation.

The Rangers are going to be serious players for free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke, but they also have to address their bullpen and catching situation.

Just days before the start of the 2012 regular season, D-backs left-hander Wade Miley thought for sure he was headed to Triple-A Reno. Not only did Miley make the team, he wound up being the team’s lone All-Star representative and he capped his year by finishing second in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Look over the game logs. Look over the numbers. Then do a little experiment — put your finger over the won-lost record and see what you see. There’s not a better candidate for the National League Cy Young Award than Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw.

Torii Hunter has been to Comerica Park and downtown Detroit several times as a visiting player. On Tuesday, he took a visit as a free agent, meeting with members of the Tigers’ front office as Detroit took its courtship to an in-person level.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was named the National League Rookie of the Year Award winner, as voted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Monday.

A’s outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who finished second behind Trout in nearly every rookie offensive category, placed second in the voting, done by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish lost out to Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who was a unanimous selection and also is a finalist for the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

The Cubs have hired PJ Mainville, who was the D-backs’ assistant athletic trainer the last two seasons, as the team’s head athletic trainer.

The Cubs have hired PJ Mainville, who was the D-backs’ assistant athletic trainer the last two seasons, as the team’s head athletic trainer.

Two weeks after hiring former Seattle executive Bob Engle as vice president of international scouting, the Dodgers on Monday announced the hiring of six international scouts from the Mariners: Pedro Avila, Gene Grimaldi, Patrick Guerrero, Pat Kelly, Jamey Storvick and Mike Tosar.

Two weeks after hiring former Seattle executive Bob Engle as vice president of international scouting, the Dodgers on Monday announced the hiring of six international scouts from the Mariners: Pedro Avila, Gene Grimaldi, Patrick Guerrero, Pat Kelly, Jamey Storvick and Mike Tosar.