Spring training

As spring training begins, the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday inked veteran pitcher Bud Norris to a one-year contract.

JUPITER, FLA. (AP) — Pitcher Bud Norris and the

St. Louis Cardinals finalized a $3 million, one-year contract on Wednesday as the team started spring training workouts.

The 32-year-old righthander led the Los Angeles Angels with 19 saves in 23 chances last season. He went 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA in three starts and 57 relief appearances, striking out 74 in 62 innings.

Norris has been a starter most of his career, and the Cardinals haven't said how they will use him. He may be part of a new bullpen in St. Louis. Having released the injured Trevor Rosenthal and with Seung-Hwan Oh a free agent, the Cardinals previously signed former Houston Astros reliever Luke Gregerson to help cement the back end of their bullpen.

He enters the spring expecting to start the season as the closer.

"Until they tell me otherwise, that's kind of what I've been hearing," Gregorson said.

Royals bullpen unsettled

SURPRISE, ARIZ. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals had the most feared bullpen in the majors in 2014 and '15 with Wade Davis, Greg Holland and Kelvin Herrera helping them advance to back-to-back World Series.

That's no longer the case entering 2018. The back end of the bullpen remains unsettled as the Royals begin spring training.

Herrera is back and led the team with 26 saves last year, but he lost his closing job late in the season. Scott Alexander logged four saves. Mike Minor finished the year as the closer, collecting six saves.

The Royals traded relievers Alexander, Joakim Soria and Ryan Butcher in January.

Reds searching for a starter

GOODYEAR, ARIZ. (AP)

— The Reds opened camp on Wednesday with one unclaimed spot in the rotation, a major improvement over last year. The question is whether their three veteran starters can make it to opening day without any setbacks.

Cincinnati is counting on Anthony DeSclafani, Homer Bailey and left-hander Brandon Finnegan to stay healthy for a change, anchoring a rotation that has little experience beyond those three. Luis Castillo impressed as a rookie and is expected to get the fourth spot, leaving one open to competition.

DeSclafani, Bailey and Finnegan are in camp and appear to be fully recovered from injuries that limited them to a combined 22 starts.

[AP PHOTO] St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bud Norris throws during spring training baseball practice on Wednesday in Jupiter, Fla. Norris signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday.