Royals right-hander Ross Ohlendorf opted out of his contract — a Minor League deal — on Monday, according to a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.

While most of Major League Baseball continues to prepare for the upcoming season in Spring Training in Arizona and Florida, the social institution of the Grand Old Game gets marquee billing as an American entourage featuring the Tampa Bay Rays is bound for Havana for a celebration of diplomacy, goodwill toward humanity and maybe even a few tape-measure home runs.

Welcome back to Cuba, where America’s national pastime and Cuba’s national passion will come together for two days for the exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team on Tuesday at Estadio Latinoamericano.

Go easy, guys, he’s the leader of the free world.

Via Twitter, chat sessions, articles, videos and podcasts, I have already dished out plenty of advice in 2016. But have you wondered which players I am targeting in my own drafts? These are the 10 players that are most likely to decide if I take a Yoo-hoo shower in early October.

The best outfields normally are anchored by a swift, athletic center fielder, but corner artists can be transforming as well. Let’s examine elite Major League units.

As the Yankees enjoy their final off-day of the spring on Monday, it’s a good time to dig into the Yankees Inbox and see what fans are asking about with two weeks remaining until Opening Day.

Mexico on Sunday emphatically earned its way to its fourth World Baseball Classic next spring, beating Nicaragua by the mercy rule for the second time in three nights, 12-1, in the final game of a four-team qualifier at Estadio B-Air.

Colombia second baseman Dilson Herrera was hopping down the first-base line as he gazed high into the Panama City sky. The small, white dot of a baseball hung in stark contrast to the pitch-black atmosphere overhead as it soared down the third-base line. At last, a few seconds later, it landed on a dirt hill beyond the fence, just inside the foul pole.

Korean-born players have made an immediate impact in recent years, and a talented new crop is on the way.

Cole Hamels, the Rangers’ expected Opening Day starter, has pitched in one Cactus League game and faced just seven batters. But the left-hander said he is getting what he needs accomplished in his Minor League outings.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon didn’t know Jon Lester has bone chips in his left elbow. Not many people were aware, but a new book revealed that detail about the left-hander and that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein knew before signing him to a six-year, $155 million contract.

Left? Right? Who knows anymore.

Inside the Rays’ clubhouse, the overriding sentiment is excitement regarding the team’s trip to Cuba. Here’s what they’re saying about the coming experience.

Rymer Liriano was taken from the field on a stretcher after being struck in the face by a pitch during the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against the Dodgers at Maryvale Baseball Park.

And that’s how we know it’s spring.

As much as Jose Fernandez is itching to start on Opening Day, the 23-year-old right-hander sees the big picture. If getting his season rolling a day later means he will be available for perhaps the postseason, then he is onboard.