Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes drove in three runs and newcomer Adrian Gonzalez hit a go-ahead double to lead Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets past the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 in their opener. Syndergaard struck out 10 and walked none in six innings after missing most of last season with a torn lat muscle.

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the deal says All-Star closer Greg Holland and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a $14 million, one-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical and had not been announced.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Matt Davidson hit three homers and drove in five runs, Tim Anderson went deep twice and the Chicago White Sox routed the Kansas City Royals 14-7 on opening day. Jose Abreu also homered for the White Sox, who picked up right-hander James Shields after a shaky first inning. Danny Duffy took the loss for Kansas City, getting bounced after four innings.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have placed All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, right-hander Nate Karns and two others on the disabled list as part of a series of roster moves ahead of their opener against the White Sox. Infielder Adalberto Mondesi and outfielder Bubba Starling also went on the DL while veteran pitcher Wily Peralta and top prospect Ryan Zimmer were designated for assignment.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Virginia’s Tony Bennett isn’t wavering from his foundation in the aftermath of the Cavaliers’ historic NCAA Tournament loss to UMBC. In an interview with The Associated Press, Bennett says his team’s body of work should be celebrated even as the players work to move past the sting of the season-ending loss. Bennett was named the AP men’s college basketball coach of the year Thursday after a 31-win season that included a dominating run through the Atlantic Coast Conference.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — NCAA leaders expect to receive recommendations for reforming college basketball in late April and have pledged to quickly implement changes while preserving amateurism as currently defined. NCAA President Mark Emmert said during his state of the association news conference ahead of the Final Four that the commission on college basketball, led by former Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice, will present its report to the Division I Board of Directors and Board of Governors on April 25.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Loyola-Chicago is determined to keep alive its unlikely NCAA Tournament run when the Ramblers play in the Final Four this weekend. The underdogs went through their first workout at the Alamodome in San Antonio on the same day as traditional powers Kansas, Villanova and Michigan. The teams and their legions of fans arrived in a city decked out in vibrant colors heading into the first two games this weekend.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Active big men give Final Four teams an advantage in era of positionless basketball. All four remaining teams rely on their big men to help space the floor for the variety of shooters on their rosters. They keep defenses honest, grab rebounds and protect the rim with all those smaller guys out there.