By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Baseball returns to the field next week when pitchers, catchers and cheaters report to spring training. Fans await the annual sunny scenes of favorites stretching on bright green grass in Florida and Arizona. This year the players bring along dark clouds of scandal. The 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros have been tainted by their sign-stealing scam and the 2018 champion Boston Red Sox have been accused of similar subversion. Teams hope once workouts start, the stain will fade.

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