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March 10 2010

Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut. Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive. Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in the Washington Nationals' 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start. “There was a lot of adrenaline flowing today,” he said. “It’s just great to get my feet wet because I know what to expect next time.” Strasburg threw 15 of his 27 pitches for strikes and allowed two hits, successive two-out singles by Don Kelly and Alex Avila in the second. But the right-hander finished off Brent Dlugach with a bending, 81 mph breaking ball for an inning-ending strikeout. “I just wanted to go out there and throw strikes,” Strasburg said. “If they hit it, they hit it. Big deal. I have enough confidence in my stuff that if I can go out there and make them put the ball in play, I’ve got a great defense behind me that’s going to back me up.”

The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004. Tests on Nathan's right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Nathan's 246 saves over six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols did not make the cross-state trip for Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox because of discomfort in his lower back. The three-time National League MVP did not play on Sunday against the Florida Marlins - a scheduled day off - and is not expected to play against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, a game also being played in Fort Myers. “We’ll definitely give him tomorrow,” said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. “Even if we were home, I don’t think he’d play. We’ll see how he feels on Wednesday.” Pujols first experienced discomfort in his back on Sunday. Joe Mather will take his place at first base against the Red Sox. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he spoke to a trainer at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter and that Pujols is feeling better. “It’s just precautionary because obviously it’s a three-hour bus ride over here, and we thought it made more sense to allow him today and see how it feels tomorrow morning,” said Mozeliak.

A sports doctor at the center of drug investigations in Canada and the United States said on Monday he treated Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees slugger had hip surgery last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but not human growth hormone. Dr. Anthony Galea also told The Associated Press an assistant who was stopped at the U.S.-Canadian border in Buffalo, N.Y., last year was carrying only a minuscule amount of HGH — which Galea said was for his own use. The doctor reiterated that he has never given the drug to an athlete. “I only brought enough for her to do two injections into me because I was away for two nights,” said Galea, who believes authorities and the media have exaggerated the accusations involving him and his practice. “They made it look like I had 100 vials. I had one little vial and two doses were for me and you think that someone along the line would ask ‘Well how much is there?”’ Rodriguez and other high-profile baseball players including Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran have been contacted by U.S. federal investigators regarding Galea. Reyes and Beltran each say they did not receive HGH from Galea. Rodriguez said last week he was “aware” of the investigation and plans to cooperate with the government.

Twins closer Joe Nathan is headed back to Minnesota to get his surgically repaired right elbow checked out. Nathan says he felt fine while he was working out before spring training games. But there was some soreness when he threw 20 pitches against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Nathan was expected to fly back to Minnesota on Sunday for tests.

The Minnesota Twins have signed pitcher Nick Blackburn to a four-year, $14 million contract. The deal includes an $8 million club option for 2014. Last season, Blackburn went 11-11 for the second straight year then started in the division series when the New York Yankees won 4-3 in 11 innings. He finished the year with a 4.30 ERA.

Dodgers catcher Russell Martin is expected to miss opening day after an MRI revealed a pulled groin. Martin first felt discomfort during a running drill a few days before the Dodgers' first spring game on Friday. He started Friday's game against the White Sox and played five innings, even stealing a base. “We don’t know how long it’s going to be,” general manager Ned Colletti said on Sunday in Mesa, where Los Angeles’ spring game against a Chicago Cubs split-squad was rained out. “It’s four to six weeks right now but you know how that goes.” A.J. Ellis, who has just 13 career major league at-bats, will get the bulk of the catching duties with Martin out. The Dodgers also have veteran backup Brad Ausmus, who turns 41 in April. On Sunday, Martin called his injury “a little strain,” and said it wasn’t a big deal. Moments later, manager Joe Torre said otherwise. “We’re going to send him back to L.A. to have another evaluation,” Torre said. A team doctor “looked at the MRI and it’s a groin pull. He played on it a couple of days thinking it was just spring training aches and pains.” Torre said Martin still can do strengthening exercises for his upper body and taking batting practice was a possibility. Martin followed a diet and fitness regimen last winter that dropped him well below his regular 210-pound playing weight. But he struggled offensively last season, when his .250 batting average, seven homers and 53 RBIs all were career lows. He bulked up this winter, adding 20-plus pounds of muscle, with the intention of improving his power numbers.

Angel Guzman, who overcame years of injury problems to finally have the kind of season the Chicago Cubs had envisioned, is out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his pitching shoulder. GM Jim Hendry said on Saturday there was no timetable for Guzman's return. "You just feel terrible for the kid,” he said. “He’s had such a history … right when he’s had success, something has gone wrong.” The 28-year-old Guzman appeared in 55 games last season, going 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA, and the Cubs were hoping he’d be the top right-handed setup man for closer Carlos Marmol this year. Hendry has been looking for bullpen help but said there isn’t much available now. Manager Lou Piniella has raved about Esmailin Caridad and also has spoken highly of some of the other young arms in camp, but there are few experienced options. Two of the four pitchers (Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Silva, Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny) vying for spots in the rotation likely will end up as late-inning relievers, Piniella said. It’s been a sad offseason for Guzman, whose brother, Daniel, died in his arms two months ago after being shot in their native Venezuela. Five days earlier, Guzman had sustained a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. He began to complain of shoulder pain last month. Every time he thought he was recovering, he had a setback, and he finally underwent an MRI on Friday. “It’s a shame,” Piniella said. “It seems like the kid is jinxed.”

Joe Nathan appears to have avoided the problem that struck John Lackey the past two years - a troublesome spring training injury. The Minnesota Twins closer should be "fine" after leaving Saturday's 9-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox with soreness and tightness in his surgically repaired right elbow, manager Ron Gardenhire said. “It’s coming off a surgery and it’s the same spot and that’s normal. … I think he’ll be fine.” He said Nathan had felt fine ever since reporting to spring training. Lackey made his first appearance for Boston since signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract as a free agent from the Los Angeles Angels. He retired the side in order in the first two innings, throwing 20 pitches. It was an encouraging start after injuries late in spring training the past two years landed him on the disabled list for the start of the regular season. “It’s something that I’ve taken into account working out, trying to strengthen my arm a lot more and being a little more careful in my throwing program,” he said. Lackey was the Angels’ top starter but said he’s content to be No. 3 behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. “I’m not worried about that,” Lackey said. “If the roles were reversed, and I would have stayed in Anaheim and one of those guys would have came over there, I would expect to still be going first. I think those guys have earned the right, won a lot of games. … I’m OK with that.”

Vicente Padilla threw two hitless innings and Reed Johnson drove in a pair of runs, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Dodgers played most of their projected starters in their spring training opener at Camelback Ranch. Regular left fielder Manny Ramirez was the designated hitter and had a pair of singles in three at-bats.

Thanks to freshly minted Arizona Diamondbacks multimillionaire Justin Upton and a slew of Chicago Cubs prospects, it was an afternoon for youth at HoHoKam Park. Upton's sixth-inning grand slam, his first hit since signing a $51.25 million, six-year contract, wasn't enough for the Arizona Diamondbacks in an 8-7 loss to Chicago on Friday.

Joba Chamberlain and the New York Yankees were not concerned about his first outing of the year. Chamberlain allowed five runs, three hits and three walks over 1 1-3 innings on Friday in New York's 12-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Slowed by flulike symptoms this week that cost him eight pounds, Chamberlain threw just 14 of 33 pitches for strikes in relief of Phil Hughes.

Ben Sheets acknowledged being a little nervous but insisted it had nothing to do with facing his former team. It was more about facing hitters for the first time in 17 months. Sheets, who signed a $10 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics in the offseason, started Friday's 8-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and tossed 2-3 healthy innings.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes plans to undergo tests in New York after doctors in Florida discovered a thyroid imbalance, the team said on Friday. Reyes will have tests on Monday and it could take up to 48 after for doctors to receive the results. Reyes is not expected to take part in any physical activity while he is gone.

Justin Morneau and Tim Wakefield each made encouraging returns to the field after a long offseason dealing with back injuries. Morneau marked his return to Minnesota with a two-run double and Wakefield tossed two scoreless innings for Boston in his first post-surgery appearance in a 5-0 victory by the Twins over the Red Sox on Friday.

If first impressions are important to baseball fans in Philadelphia, new Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay aced his entry exam. Halladay's spring debut with the Phillies did nothing to kill the buzz that engulfed Philadelphia when the team dealt for the former Cy Young Award winner three months ago. Halladay got the Grapefruit League schedule under way with two near-perfect innings.

Alex Rodriguez was back in his comfort zone: between the white lines. Rodriguez singled, No. 98 Colin Curtis hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 on Wednesday with owner George Steinbrenner in attendance to watch the World Series champions in their spring opener.

Tim Lincecum abandoned the windup and threw out of the stretch hoping that he would throw more strikes. It didn't work. The two-time Cy Young winner lasted just one inning in his spring debut, but the San Francisco Giants beat the Seattle Mariners 8-7 in 10 innings on Wednesday. "I had been struggling out of the windup," he said.

Justin Upton has lived with high expectations virtually since the day he picked up a baseball bat. Now at 22, with two full major league seasons already behind him, he says he welcomes the challenge of living up to the $51.25 million, six-year contract he signed on Wednesday with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the second-largest deal in franchise history.

Manny Ramirez is on the Dodgers' final roster for an upcoming three-game exhibition series in Taiwan, not that it guarantees the veteran will make the trip. The Dodgers are traveling to Asia for the second time in three years after also playing a series in China before the 2008 season. They will play three games against Taiwan all-star teams March 12-14. But even if Ramirez makes it to Taiwan, it doesn’t necessarily mean he will play in all three of the sold-out games. After the 2004 season, Ramirez was on a major-league all-star team that was scheduled to play eight games in Japan. He played in just two before bolting for home. The Dodgers did not ask any of their starters to make this year’s trip, but both first baseman James Loney and Ramirez volunteered to go. Ramirez has reportedly lined up endorsement opportunities in Taiwan, where he is extremely popular. A week ago, manager Joe Torre was taking an I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it approach to Ramirez’s involvement, but it sounds as though he is now more confident about Ramirez’s participation. “I’ve asked him and he said yes, and again, it’s his choice, not ours,” Torre said. “I said, ‘Are you going to Taiwan with me?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’" Asked if it was an enthusiastic, ‘Yeah,’ Torre said that Ramirez sounded as though he was into the idea of making the 13-hour flight to Taiwan.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and young All-Star outfielder Justin Upton are closing in on a six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal would be worth just over $50 million, the person said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.

Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran talked to federal investigators last week about a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug and said he recommended the physician to teammate Jose Reyes. Beltran went to Toronto last summer seeking Dr. Anthony Galea's opinion on his bruised right knee, the All-Star said on Tuesday.

Houston All-Star first baseman Lance Berkman is likely to miss the Astros' spring training opener on Thursday after bruising his left knee. The 34-year-old Berkman complained of soreness and swelling in his knee after Monday's workout. He had an MRI exam on Monday night that revealed a contusion, and the results were sent to Houston to be further examined by team physician Dr. David Lintner.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes said on Sunday he met with federal investigators last week regarding a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug. Dr. Anthony Galea is facing four charges in his country related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf's blood and used for healing.

Justin Verlander says Tigers manager Jim Leyland can relax if he is worried about his ace trying to do too much to justify his big contract. "I can't give any more than I've been giving," Verlander said on Sunday. He has a point. The 27-year-old right-hander led the major leagues in games started (35), innings pitched (240), strikeouts (269) and total pitches (3,937). He tied for the lead in wins (19) last season before signing a five-year, $80 million contract. The heavy workload comes with the kind of pitcher he is, Verlander explained. “Being a power pitcher, you get more foul balls, more swings and misses. I have no problem with that and I feel like I’ve conditioned myself for that,” he said. “I’ve worked hard since I got here to be a workhorse, to go out there and throw 130 (pitches) and still be able to come back and feel fresh. I don’t make a big deal over pitch counts; that didn’t start coming around until recently, the last 10 years,” Verlander said. “Before that, you’d pitch until you weren’t getting guys out anymore.”

Felipe Lopez bounded into the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse following his early morning physical on Saturday prepared to work in the batting cage before the rest of the squad took to the fields. He's just that happy to be back with the Cardinals. Lopez signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Cardinals, returning him to the team he played for briefly in 2008. Lopez could earn $1.2 million in performance bonuses this season. “This has been my first choice since I played here in ’08,” Lopez said. “It’s a great organization. I’m proud to be here. They treated me, like always, with open arms.”

An offseason of reflection hasn't softened Chipper Jones' stance. The Atlanta Braves' third baseman still says he will walk away from the game if he can't bounce back from a disappointing season. Jones, who will turn 38 in April, said this week he won't hang around just to collect a paycheck if he's no longer playing up to the standards which have made him one of the best switch-hitters in history. Some scoffed when Jones spoke last year of possible retirement after this season. Count Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox among those who don’t believe Jones will walk away from two years and $28 million on his contract, which runs through 2012. He signed a three-year, $42 million extension last spring that includes an option for 2013.

Court records show Barry Bonds' wife of 12 years has filed for divorce in Los Angeles. Liz Watson filed to end the couple's marriage on Thursday. She cited irreconcilable differences, and documents state the couple have already reached a settlement agreement. Details of the agreement were not included in the initial filing.

Mark McGwire said he's saddened his estranged brother wrote a book that chronicles their use of performance-enhancing drugs and reiterated his claim that he only took them to heal from injuries. McGwire said on Thursday he's so upset with his brother, Jay McGwire, that he doesn't believe reconciliation is possible. “I don’t plan on ever seeing him again,” said McGwire, the new hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. The youngest of the five McGwire brothers and Mark’s junior by more than six years, Jay McGwire lived with Mark and was a frequent clubhouse visitor during McGwire’s time in Oakland. His book, “Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball’s Worst-Kept Secret,” is scheduled for publication on Monday by TriumphBooks. Mark McGwire used the word “sad” seven times to describe the book in his 8-minute question and answer session with the media on Thursday. “You try to be a good person, you try to take care of somebody, be a good brother,” said McGwire, trailing off. “It’s sort of sad. It’s a sad day for my family. I don’t know how a family member could do something like that.” Last month, McGwire admitted taking steroids and human growth hormone during the 1990s, but said he only did so to recover from injuries—not to improve his performance. Jay McGwire says recovering from injuries was the primary reason for his brother’s decision to use drugs but that Mark McGwire also knew the steroids were helping him gain size and strength.

Infielder Khalil Greene's contract was voided on Thursday by the Texas Rangers. Greene spent last season with St. Louis while missing 46 games in two stints on the disabled list due to social anxiety. The Rangers announced on Monday that a private matter, which they didn't identify, prevented him from reporting to spring training.

Derek Jeter reiterated what every Yankees fan wanted to hear: He hopes to play in pinstripes forever. He just doesn't want to spend time talking about his future in New York. "I've said from Day One, this is the only organization I've ever wanted to play for, and that's still true today," Jeter said on Wednesday before the team's first full-squad gathering at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I was a Yankees fan growing up. This is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to,” he said. The 35-year-old Jeter is entering the final season of a $189 million, 10-year deal. The All-Star shortstop said he doesn’t have a set number of years in mind that he’d like to continue playing and steered around a question about whether he has a desire to be the Yankees’ highest-paid player. Jeter hit .334 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 2009, leading New York to its first World Series championship in nine years. The Yankees have won five titles during his career. “To be honest with you, I never put limitations on how long I can play. …. I want to play as long as I can, as long as I’m having fun, as long as I can be productive,” Jeter said. “This organization prides itself on winning and putting a competitive team on the field. As long as I can help out, that’s as long as I want to play.”

Jay McGwire heard big brother Mark say last month he only took steroids to heal, and not to get stronger. That doesn't match Jay McGwire's recollection. "Mark knew that he was going to get the strength and endurance and size. I know that the main motive to justify taking steroids was healing," Jay McGwire said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Even before he was a major league player, Aaron Boone wanted to be a big league broadcaster. "As a little kid, going to bed and sleeping at night, listening to Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn call Phillie games left a lasting impression on me," Boone said on Tuesday. Boone announced his retirement as a player following a 12-year major league career and will become a baseball analyst for ESPN. Following open-heart surgery last March 23, Boone returned to the Houston Astros and went 0 for 13 in September. Teammate Geoff Blum took third base from David Wright after the season’s final game and presented Boone with it in the visiting clubhouse, a sign players knew Boone’s playing career was over. “Although I’m taking my uniform off, in a lot of ways it doesn’t feel like I’m retiring because I’m certainly not leaving the game,” Boone said.

The New York Times is reporting that Major League Baseball plans to test minor league players for human growth hormone. The newspaper, citing an unidentified baseball official with direct knowledge of the matter, reported on its Web site on Tuesday night that MLB will implement blood tests that can reveal HGH use.

Former career home run king Hank Aaron says Mark McGwire should have a clear conscience after his recent admission he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player. Aaron said other players still harboring similar secrets also should come clean. "I think baseball is cleaning up its act a little bit, I really do," Aaron said on Monday during a visit to Atlanta Braves camp. “I’ve said this and I’ll say it again, over and over again, this is the most forgiving country in the world. If you come through and tell the truth, then you’re going to be forgiven. The kid with the Yankees, (Andy) Pettitte, came out and it was a week of news and after that it was over. We all make mistakes. If they ever did enhancing drugs, whatever they did, they should come clean and be able to sleep at night.” Aaron said McGwire’s admission and apology this year was overdue but still welcome. “I would have loved to have seen him do it a long time ago, but since he did it, I think that he himself will tell you right now he’s able to sleep at night and he’s able to look at his teammates,”

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has a back problem, but expects to be OK for opening day. Roberts has been diagnosed with a small herniated disk. He says he's on the right track in his preparation for the start of the season. Roberts intends to do some light hitting on Tuesday when the Orioles hold their first full-squad workout.

Manny Ramirez is known for saying some curious things. This is his latest pronouncement: The Dodgers star insists his days in LA are numbered. "I know I'm not going to be here next year," Ramirez said on Monday. Ramirez's contract expires after this season. Why is he so certain he won't get an extension? “I don’t know,” he said. “I just know I’m not going to be here.”

The Texas Rangers say utility infielder Khalil Greene will not be joining the team because of an undisclosed private matter. The Rangers on Monday announced the change in status for Greene, who on Jan. 21 signed a one-year, $750,000 deal with Texas.

After hitting a career-best .365 with 28 homers and 96 RBIs in only 138 games for the Minnesota Twins, American League MVP Joe Mauer put down his bats during the offseason. He didn't pick them up again until mid-January, a product of his desire to stay strong throughout the summer and fall. "If I can take anything from last year, I think maybe I kind of overtrained," Mauer said. “But I’m just not going to talk about it. It’s a lot easier that way.” His teammates are well aware of the situation. “He’s a great player. He’s a great guy,” Butera said. “I hope they sign him, I really do. If I make the team, I get to learn from the best player. He can help the team like no one else can.”

Chan Ho Park says he has decided to join the New York Yankees. The South Korean told a news conference in Seoul on Monday he has agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million with an additional $300,000 performance to join the Yankees bullpen. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday that he has had several conversions with agent Jeff Borris, who represents Park, but a deal is not complete. The 36-year old Park went 3-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 45 games with the NL champion Philadelphia Phillies last year. The right-hander worked 3 1-3 scoreless innings against the Yankees in the World Series.

One of the three aces of the Boston Red Sox isn't sure they have any. Josh Beckett doesn't worry what label you give him, Jon Lester or John Lackey. What matters is the impressive rotation those pitchers lead. "I don't even know what ace is? I mean, is that an acronym for something?" Beckett said on Sunday. “I’ve always kind of tried to figure that out.” Opponents should have a tough time solving the puzzle of how to beat three pitchers who each could be the No. 1 starter for many teams. Beckett is 49-23 with a 3.71 ERA the past three seasons, Lester is 31-14 with a 3.31 ERA in his two full seasons, and Lackey, the oldest of the three at just 31, is 69-38 with a 3.49 ERA the past five seasons.

Get the bleeps ready. Ozzie Guillen is coming to a reality series near you. The big three of the Chicago White Sox - manager Guillen, general manager Ken Williams and owner Jerry Reinsdorf - will be featured in "The Club" on the MLB Network this summer. Episodes scheduled to begin airing on July 4 will contain footage from spring training and the regular season, focusing on behind-the scenes interaction of key members of the franchise. “I don’t know why they picked us. I’m serious because I think there are more people out there. But I’m glad,” Guillen said on Sunday as the White Sox pitchers and catchers held their first workout of spring training. “It surprised me Kenny wants to do this. It surprised me Jerry wanted to do it. It didn’t surprise me that I wanted to do it because I wanted to be seen on television. But I think people are going to have fun and see something they haven’t been seen before.”

American League MVP Joe Mauer reported to spring training for the Minnesota Twins on Sunday without a contract extension in place. He hasn't talked specifics about the negotiations all offseason and said that won't change now that spring training is beginning. "I'm not going to get into that," the catcher said. “It would just open up a can of worms.” Mauer is entering the final year of his deal and the Twins are trying to get a long-term extension done before the regular season begins. The Twins have also refused to publicly discuss the process. He won his third AL batting crown last year for his hometown team and helped lead the Twins to the AL Central title. Mauer said he expected to field a lot of questions about contract negotiations from the local and national media and that he would handle them the same way. “I’ll sound like a broken record,” Mauer said.

Free-agent slugger Carlos Delgado is expected to be sidelined for four months after undergoing hip surgery in Colorado. David Sloane, Delgado's agent, tells the New York Post and Fox Sports Net that the outlook is good and the first baseman plans to play this season. Delgado played in 26 games for the New York Mets last season before undergoing hip surgery in May.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre said on Saturday he has committed himself to a fourth year with the team, ending speculation about whether or not he will return in 2011. Torre's current contract runs through the upcoming season, but talks are underway to extend his deal one more year. After 2011, the 69-year-old with four World Series titles as a manager said he would call it quits. “Right now we’re just talking about the one year and what the number’s going to be,” Torre said, referring to what he will be paid in 2011.

The Houston Astros extended the contract of general manager Ed Wade through the 2012 season. The team made the announcement on Saturday, when pitchers and catchers reported to Houston's spring training complex near Orlando. Wade, who was originally hired as Astros GM on Sept. 20, 2007, was given a two-year extension on his original contract, which was through the 2010 season.

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski says he has made a contract offer to free agent Johnny Damon. Dombrowski confirmed the offer in a telephone interview with The Associated Press after telling reporters in Lakeland, Fla., that the Tigers were interested in signing the outfielder. The 36-year-old Damon hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season.

First baseman Russell Branyan has reached a preliminary agreement to rejoin the Cleveland Indians, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal is subject to a physical, the person said on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract wasn't final. Branyan's medical exam is scheduled for Tuesday.

Major League Baseball has a new message for players and employees this spring training: Keep guns, long knives and explosives out of the clubhouse. Signs have been placed in spring training locker rooms stating "individuals are prohibited from possessing deadly weapons while performing any services for MLB." The rules apply to employees of the commissioner's office, other central baseball businesses and to teams, including players. A baseball official said MLB developed the rules last year after former NFL star Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself, which led to a two-year prison sentence. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because comments weren’t authorized. Guns became a controversy in the NBA this season, when Washington guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely without pay by commissioner David Stern. Arenas brought guns to the Verizon Center; the NBA labor contract bans weapons at league facilities. New baseball players’ association head Michael Weiner said the rules were put in place last season but the signs were not posted until now. “The commissioner’s office negotiated the policy with the union, as it applies to players,” he said. “The content of the notice itself was not agreed to by the union.” Titled “Major League Baseball’s Weapon-Free Workplace Policy,” it says MLB “shall prohibit the possession or use of deadly weapons in any facility or venue owned, operated, or controlled by it.”

Mariano Rivera has no concerns about entering the final season of his contract at age 40. The New York Yankees' closer doesn't know how many more years he wants to pitch but says, "I still think I can perform." "Take it a year at a time and see what happens," Rivera said before the Yankees' first workout for pitchers and catchers on Thursday. “Bodywise everything is good,” Rivera said. “I’ll be ready for the season. I love to do this,” he said.

Mark Shapiro got out of his chair, turned toward his protege and hugged him. Each man was congratulating the other. Shapiro is moving up. Chris Antonetti is moving up. The Cleveland Indians' long-term vision is in place. Shapiro will be promoted to team president after this season and be succeeded as GM by Antonetti, his assistant for the last nine years. Paul Dolan, son of owner Larry Dolan, will shift from president to chief executive officer, a title held by his father. “I strongly believe we have a very solid leadership team that will be the core of this franchise for years to come,” Dolan said. “(Shapiro) has built a culture here that is the envy of the industry.” The Indians’ announcement on the eve of spring training on Thursday could be considered the team’s biggest move of the winter. Cleveland lost 97 games last year, then followed it up with a quiet offseason, offering a few minor league contracts to free agents, but little else.

Tony La Russa took a risk hiring Mark McGwire as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach, and not just because of steroids. The Cardinals manager expects the questions about performance-enhancing drugs to die down eventually. McGwire apologized several more times on Thursday, saying "It's the most regrettable thing I've ever done in my life." McGwire's first gig as a coach, though, will be an ongoing concern. “I definitely was not unaware that some people already judge the fact we can’t win because he’s going to be a distraction,” La Russa said before the National League Central champions’ first workout for pitchers and catchers. “As far as I’m concerned, the question is: ‘Is he a good enough hitting coach?”’ Even La Russa, a staunch supporter of McGwire through the years, hedges on this one. “We’ll see,” he said. If the hits fail to come in bunches for a team that fizzled late last season and then during a first-round playoff sweep by the Dodgers, La Russa is prepared for the fallout. The hire was his call, and La Russa said he didn’t need anyone to play devil’s advocate for a move bound to alienate some. “I weighed all the pros and cons, and the pros overwhelmed the cons,” La Russa said. “I think I was trusted by ownership and our front office that I would make the right judgment, and I would have been disappointed if I wasn’t trusted. If it doesn’t work, it’s nobody’s fault but mine,” he said. “You think through it and you take your best shot.”

After starting the previous two seasons on the disabled list, Red Sox starter John Lackey is trying a new approach to spring training in hopes of being ready from the get-go in Boston. Lackey, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in the offseason as baseball's prized pitching free agent, said he will be more conservative in his first camp with Boston. Lackey started 2008 on the DL with a strained right triceps and 2009 with inflammation in his right elbow. He threw approximately 40 pitches in a side session on Thursday morning, the reporting day for Red Sox pitchers and catchers. “I think I’m definitely going to be a little bit more careful this year,” he said “Because I definitely want to start on time and I want to get out of the gate strong and help the team as much as I can.” He joins a rotation that projects to be among the strongest in baseball with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz and possibly Tim Wakefield. “I think good pitchers feed off each other,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “You try to build momentum. It works both ways. If you’re struggling, good pitchers stop bad momentum. … You can’t come up with a good reason not to have a good pitcher pitching. You name it, it’s nice to run a good pitcher out there.”

Felix Hernandez still wears his cap bill slightly tilted to one side. He still performs the sign of the cross as he prepares to pitch. And that fastball that helped make him the Seattle Mariners' ace is still electric. Not much has changed for King Felix - that is, other than the five-year, $78 million contract paycheck he signed last month and the two pounds he gained before arriving for spring training on Wednesday. “More muscle,” Hernandez deadpanned. The 23-year-old Hernandez is also becoming more of a leader, evident even on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers on Thursday at the Mariners’ spring training complex. He’s popular with his teammates, pops his catcher’s mitt with pitches that draw a crowd of onlookers and is just fine with taking some ribbing from his manager. The team measured and listed players’ body-fat content in physicals on Wednesday, and Hernandez said his was at 13 percent. “Felix says he won it,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “You look at that list. It’s his all-time low, but he's still at the top of (the list).” That said, the svelte Hernandez seems a more trim 225 pounds, his listed weight. And there’s no arguing with his 19-5 record last season. “I just told him that it’s maturity,” Wakamatsu cracked. “He’s getting older and the baby fat’s going away, it wasn’t how hard you worked.” But Hernandez is growing into his role. He dismisses any notion that the money and pressure that comes with it will affect him. “Not really,” Hernandez said. “It’s the same. I just have to do the same work I did last year. I don’t feel any difference.”

The Houston Astros beat Wandy Rodriguez in salary arbitration on Thursday, meaning the pitcher will be paid $5 million this year instead of the $7 million he sought. Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elizabeth Neumeier and Fredric Horowitz made their decision a day after hearing the case. Rodriguez, a 31-year-old left-hander, was 14-12 last season with a 3.02 ERA, ninth in the NL among qualifiers.

Former All-Star pitcher Mike MacDougal has signed a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins and has been invited to spring training. Florida pitchers and catchers report on Friday to Jupiter, Fla. MacDougal was an All-Star for Kansas City in 2003. He had 20 saves in 21 chances for Washington last season and went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

Infielder Erick Aybar and the Los Angeles Angels agreed on Thursday to a $2.05 million, one-year contract that avoided a salary arbitration hearing. Aybar batted .312 with five homers and 58 RBIs last season. He can earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 575 and 625 plate appearances.

Tim Lincecum might have thought he was on a mound last Friday, not outside a St. Petersburg arbitration hearing room. "My adrenaline kicked in a little bit, just because of what I was going through. Nerves. Butterflies. All the excitement. Tiredness," Lincecum said on Thursday of the emotions he felt in the hours before his arbitration hearing was to begin.

The Mariners have set Feb. 24 as the target date for pitcher Cliff Lee's first bullpen session of spring training. Lee is coming off of foot surgery, and his workouts have been limited. "Cliff Lee will play catch, but other than that we're going to try to keep him off his feet for a couple of days," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said on Thursday.

An MRI on Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens' right shoulder has revealed inflammation but no structural problems. The Braves say team orthopedist Dr. Xavier Duralde has prescribed a week of rest and treatment for Jurrjens following Wednesday's MRI. Jurrjens is expected to start throwing next week. Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Friday.

Mark McGwire's first day on the job began with a wrong turn into the media room instead of the spring training clubhouse. It ended with another apology for steroid use. The St. Louis Cardinals' new batting coach spent time in the batting cage with hitters, sat in on a lengthy staff meeting and then answered questions from reporters for more than 15 minutes. He left more than six hours later on Wednesday, but not before signing several autographs. The 46-year-old McGwire seemed at ease in his first extended media availability since admitting a month ago that he used steroids and human growth hormone during his remarkable home run power surge in the 1990s. Echoing remarks he made in January, several times he asked for forgiveness as he seeks to rehabilitate a tarnished image. “It’s something I regret,” McGwire said. “I can’t say I’m sorry enough to everybody in baseball and across America, and whoever watches this great game. I think people understand how truly sorry I was for what I did.”

Washington Nationals reliever Brian Bruney has asked an arbitration panel for a raise from $1.25 million to $1.85 million. The team argued during Tuesday's hearing that he should be paid $1.5 million. A decision by arbitrators Steven Wolf, Sylvia Skratek and Dan Brent is expected n Wednesday, when Bruney turns 28.

Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens has been scheduled for a scan on Wednesday to determine the cause of soreness in his right shoulder. Jurrjens could enter the season as the team's No. 1 starter after going 14-10 with a 2.60 ERA last year, the third-best ERA in the NL. Braves general manager Frank Wren says Jurrjens reported early to the team's spring training facility in Kissimmee, Fla. Soreness in the shoulder led to the decision for Jurrjens to have the MRI in Atlanta. Wren says the scan is precautionary and Jurrjens could return to Florida after the exam.

Orioles right-hander Brad Bergesen will be slowed at the start of spring training after hurting his shoulder while filming a promotional spot in December, an injury that caused the team to institute a new policy regarding commercial shoots. Bergesen strained his right shoulder while performing in a commercial promoting Baltimore's 2010 season. He will see limited action for a week to 10 days after the Orioles pitchers and catchers begin workouts on Thursday in Sarasota, Fla. Bergesen had his rookie season cut short last year after being hit in the shin by a line drive on July 30. The right-hander had not thrown off a mound from August until the commercial shoot, and he hurt himself by throwing at game-speed. “He just did too much, too soon,” said Andy MacPhail, the club president of baseball operations, said on Tuesday from Sarasota. “He’s behind the rest of the pitchers at this point, but it’s nothing we think is going to delay his regular season.” MacPhail said the club will monitor the filming of commercials in the future.

Pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and the Washington Nationals have reached an agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The deal includes the chance to earn $3 million in performance bonuses, the person said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.

Mark McGwire's No. 25 jersey is ready for duty again, hanging outside his locker stall in the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training clubhouse. The most controversial batting instructor in the major leagues was due to arrive in Jupiter late on Tuesday and could be on the field as early as Wednesday, the date for pitchers and catchers to report for St. Louis. Several of his pupils are already here, including second baseman Skip Schumaker, who is among a handful of Cardinals familiar with McGwire’s passion for hitting after offseason workouts in California. He’s perhaps McGwire’s biggest booster on the team, having worked with the slugger he grew up idolizing since 2005. The leadoff hitter had one complaint: No longer will he have McGwire’s undivided attention. “I’m excited about it,” Schumaker said. “I’m not excited I have to share him. He’s helped me a whole lot the last couple of years and I’m excited to have him for a full season.”

Outfielder Cody Ross has beaten the Florida Marlins in salary arbitration and will make $4.45 million rather than the team's offer of $4.2 million. Arbitrators James Oldham, Margaret Brogan and Howard Edelman made the decision on Tuesday, a day after hearing arguments. Ross hit .290 with 24 homers and 90 RBIs last season, when he made $2.3 million.

Outfielder Endy Chavez has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to spring training. Chavez is recovering from knee surgery last July and is not expected to be fully healthy for the start of the regular season. He played 54 games for Seattle last year before tearing the ACL in his right knee when he collided with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

Right-hander Edwin Jackson and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $13.35 million, two-year deal, avoiding an arbitration hearing. Arizona announced the deal on Sunday. Jackson went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA in 33 starts for the Tigers last season, making his first All-Star team. He was acquired in a three-team deal in December.

Outfielder Willy Taveras has agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. If added to the 40-man roster, Taveras would receive a contract for the $400,000 major league minimum, with Oakland responsible for the remainder of his $4 million salary. The Athletics acquired Taveras in Feb.

Outfielder Corey Hart beat the Brewers in Milwaukee's first salary arbitration hearing in 12 years. Hart was awarded a raise from $3.25 million to $4.8 million by a panel of arbitrators on Friday instead of the Brewers' offer of $4.15 million.

Tim Lincecum can finally move forward from a contract situation that was unsettled all winter and focus on baseball again. Same goes for the San Francisco Giants. Lincecum and the Giants reached a preliminary agreement on Friday on a $23 million, two-year contract ahead of the scheduled start of an arbitration hearing.

Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young award winner, is not resting on his laurels. Greinke, who led the majors with a 2.16 earned run average while posting a 16-8 record, was among the early arrivals on Friday as the Kansas City Royals opened spring training with a mini-camp. While it was labeled a volunteer camp pitchers and catchers are not scheduled to report until Wednesday Greinke's attendance sent a message. The Royals are trying to get a head start after finishing last in the American League Central for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Greinke was not the only high profile Royal to show up. Closer Joakim Soria, a 2008 All-Star who has logged 72 saves the past two seasons, and first baseman Billy Butler, who led the team with a .301 average, 51 doubles and 93 RBIs in 2009, were also in camp.

The Yankees will be without a familiar face when the defending World Series champions begin trickling into Florida for spring training this week. The team announced on Sunday that longtime head trainer Gene Monahan is taking a medical leave of absence to deal with "a significant illness" that could keep him out through the start of the regular season begins April 4 at Boston. Monahan was introduced to pro baseball when he served as a bat boy and clubhouse attendant for the Yankees in 1962, during his senior year of high school. Among the players on that Yankees team were Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. Monahan began his athletic-training career in 1963 with the Yankees’ Class-D affiliate in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., then worked from 1965-69 with Double-A teams in Columbus, Ga., and Binghamton, N.Y. After a brief stint with Triple-A Syracuse, Monahan joined the Yankees. He’s one of only a few employees to work for the organization throughout Steinbrenner’s ownership, which began in 1973. Monahan was inducted into the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2007, and received the National Athletic Trainers Association Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award last year.

Saying he's "at peace" with his decision, Frank Thomas announced his retirement on Friday following a 19-season career in which he hit 521 homers and won two American League MVP awards with the Chicago White Sox. Considering he didn't play last season, the news was hardly shocking. "It took awhile to get to this point," the 41-year-old Thomas said during a news conference.

Tampa Bay has defeated outfielder B.J. Upton during salary arbitration, leaving the Rays 5-0 in cases that have gone to hearings. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Upton received a raise from $435,000 to $3 million this year rather than his request for $3.3 million. Arbitrators Gil Vernon, Elizabeth Neumeier and Elliott Shriftman issued a decision on Saturday, a day after hearing the arguments.

Five-time All-Star Mike Sweeney is back with the Mariners. And he's a long shot. Again. The 15-year veteran was told in 1999 he wouldn't stick with the Kansas City Royals. He was told in 2008 he wouldn't make the Oakland Athletics. He was told by Seattle last year had little chance to stay there. Yet on Friday he agreed to a minor league contract that keeps him with the Mariners. Seattle announced the popular 36-year-old has been invited to spring training.

Tom Glavine made his retirement official on Thursday when he returned to the Atlanta Braves in a loosely defined new role. Glavine was hired as special assistant to Braves president John Schuerholz, and the two stood together before reporters for the first time since Glavine's unexpected release last summer.

Outfielder Corey Hart has become the first player on the Milwaukee Brewers to go to arbitration in 12 years. Hart asked a panel of arbitrators on Thursday for a raise from $3.25 million to $4.8 million, and the Brewers argued for $4.15 million.

The Tampa Bay Rays are no longer in the pro football business. The major league baseball team has sold its minority interest in the UFL's Florida Tuskers back to the football league that played its first season in 2009. Last summer, the Rays made what club official Michael Kalt described as a "modest" investment - reportedly less than $2 million - in the Orlando-based Tuskers.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Ryan has had arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist. Dr. Steven Shin operated on Tuesday in Los Angeles, the team said on Wednesday. The operation also included a a procedure in which dead tissue is removed. Ryan is to start rehabilitation next week, and the Cardinals said their doctors expect he will be ready for the start of the season in April.

Jacque Jones has returned to the Minnesota Twins, agreeing to a minor league contract. Jones began his major league career with Minnesota in 1999 before joining the Chicago Cubs in 2006. The outfielder's best season came in 2002, when he hit .300 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs while the Twins advanced to the AL championship series. Jones hasn’t played in a major league game since June 2008, with the Florida Marlins. He spent last season with the Newark Bears in the independent Atlantic League and told the Twins at the winter meetings he was interested in reviving his career and willing to go to Triple-A if necessary. “He’s been a good player. We know he’s a good person. He plays the game the right way,” general manager Bill Smith said.

The Atlanta Braves appear interested in adding Johnny Damon to the top of their lineup. The Braves have made an offer to the free-agent outfielder, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because no agreement had been reached. Atlanta's offer is believed to be for one year and include deferred money. Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal. The 36-year-old Damon hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season and is likely to bat leadoff for the Braves. Atlanta added another former Yankees outfielder in December when it acquired Melky Cabrera in a five-player deal that sent right-hander Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions. Nate McLouth is set as Atlanta’s starter in center field, and is the probable leadoff hitter if the team does not add Damon or another outfielder. Matt Diaz is expected to get most of the playing time at one corner outfield spot. Braves manager Bobby Cox said last week he envisions Cabrera playing all three outfield spots and possibly sharing a position with Diaz. Cox said the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job in right field. Heyward made only a brief appearance at Triple-A last season and has fewer than 200 at-bats above Class A. “Well, there’s no reason not to give him a crack at making it,” Cox said. “If he is too young, that’s fine, too. He can spend some time in Triple-A. But if we think he’s ready and he can help us, then let’s go.” Heyward (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has the power potential the Braves need in their outfield. He was voted baseball’s top prospect by Baseball America after hitting .323 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs at three minor league stops in 2009.

Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis has agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and was invited to major league spring training. Schoeneweis would get an $800,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn $700,000 in performance bonuses under Tuesday's deal.

The San Francisco Giants and free agent right-hander Todd Wellemeyer agreed on Wednesday to a minor league contract. The 31-year-old, a 13-game winner for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, will get the opportunity to compete for the No. 5 starter spot. If he's added to the Giants' 40-man roster, he would get a $1 million, one-year contract with the chance to earn another $500,000 in performance.

The Seattle Mariners have signed right-hander Jesus Colome to a minor league contract with an invitation to their spring training camp. The 32-year-old Colome appeared in 21 games last season with the Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers. He will compete to be a veteran setup reliever for closer David Aardsma.

Arizona ace Brandon Webb threw off the mound on Tuesday for the first time since undergoing right shoulder surgery. Webb said he was pleased with how he felt after throwing between 20 and 25 pitches in the Chase Field bullpen. Webb made one start last year, then underwent surgery on Aug. 4. The club exercised an $8.5 million option for 2010 in hopes that the former NL Cy Young Award winner would return to dominance. “I’m right where I expected to be,” Webb said in a statement. “Having not been on the mound in a year, I am pleased with how I felt.” It’s not clear when Webb, who turns 31 in May, will throw again. The club has not released a timetable for his return to the rotation. Until last year, Webb had been a stalwart of the Arizona staff, pitching at least 200 innings every year from 2004-08. He won the 2006 NL Cy Young Award and finished second in 2007 and 2008. Webb is 87-62 with a 3.27 ERA in seven seasons. “It was good to get him into the next phase of his rehabilitation,” manager A.J. Hinch said.

The Minnesota Twins have been spending their way out of that small-budget image, mirroring the imminent increase in revenue from their new ballpark with a big spike in player salary commitments. Lead owner Jim Pohlad said it's a sustainable development.

Veteran outfielder Brian Giles has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers said on Sunday that Giles has been invited to big league camp. A career .291 hitter, Giles batted just .191 in 61 games last season with the San Diego Padres. The 39-year-old Giles did not play after going on the disabled list on June 19 with a bruised right knee.

Despite shoulder surgeries and disappointment in Seattle during each of the last two seasons, free-agent left-hander Erik Bedard is coming back to the Mariners. General manager Jack Zduriencik announced on Saturday the team and the oft-injured 30-year-old agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011.

Tim Lincecum is prepared to hear some harsh criticism in an arbitration hearing with the San Francisco Giants - perhaps even delving into his offseason pot bust. The two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner is asking for a record $13 million, while the Giants offered $8 million when the sides exchanged numbers last month.

Reliever Kevin Gregg agreed on Friday to a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a deal that could be worth $11.5 million over three seasons. Toronto has a $4.5 million option for 2011 or an option for 2011 and 2012 that would pay $8.75 million over two seasons. Gregg was 5-6 with 23 saves and a 4.72 ERA for the Chicago Cubs last year. The 31-year-old reliever has 84 saves over the past three seasons with the Cubs and Florida Marlins, and is expected to stabilize the back end of the Toronto bullpen. He’ll compete with relievers Scott Downs and Jason Frasor, who are both eligible for free agency after the season. The closer’s job has been open since the Blue Jays released B.J. Ryan. “We expect him to pitch late in the game,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. adding that manager Cito Gaston will make the final determination. “We don’t have anybody who we’ve anointed the closer right now. Kevin Gregg has had a lot of closing experience—he’s certainly not going to be handed the job, but he’ll have every opportunity to compete for that role.” Downs and Frasor are eligible for free agency after the season. “I anticipate going into camp with the number of arms that we do have,” Anthopoulos said.

Free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday. The person confirmed the agreement calls for Kennedy to make $1.25 million in 2010. There is also a $2 million club option for 2011.

The ball Alex Rodriguez hit for his 500th home run has sold at auction for $103,579. SCP Auctions said on Thursday the buyer decided to remain anonymous. The ball, hit off Kansas City pitcher Kyle Davies, was recovered by a college student at the old Yankee Stadium on Aug. 4, 2007. SCP also sold the balls Barry Bonds hit for his 755 and 756th home runs.

The Minnesota Twins will take a new middle infield into their new ballpark. Second baseman Orlando Hudson and the Twins agreed on Thursday night to a $5 million, one-year contract, adding another All-Star to the roster of the reigning AL Central champions. Hudson gives the Twins a veteran at the top of the batting order with a .282 career average and four Gold Glove awards.

Justin Verlander likely would have earned a nine-figure contract if was able to stay healthy and successful for two more seasons. Instead, Verlander agreed to an $80 million, five-year deal to stay with the Detroit Tigers. "It wasn't very tempting, to be honest," he insisted on Thursday after the contract was finalized.

Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to an $80 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Wednesday night because the deal had not been announced. The person said the contract could be completed as soon as Thursday.

Fully clothed, Grady Sizemore faced his public with nothing to hide. Stung by having semi-nude photos of him posted on the Internet, Cleveland's popular center fielder said he never intended for the photos, which Sizemore maintains were stolen from an e-mail account, to be viewed publicly and that he regrets the embarrassment their exposure has caused. “It’s tough,” he said. “This is a situation where it’s a private matter and personal photos were stolen illegally. I’ve always tried to represent myself and the Cleveland organization as best as possible and to put everybody through this is a terrible feeling and I apologize to everybody.” In November, the photos — one of Sizemore standing nearly naked in front of a bathroom mirror — appeared online. Sizemore, who said he took the photos for his girlfriend, contacted Major League Baseball officials to stop them from spreading to Web sites. On Wednesday night, Sizemore was a presenter at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. After appearing on stage, Sizemore addressed the scandal but failed to accept culpability in the photos going public. “This is a private matter,” he said. “I never intended for any of this to get out. I hate to have to put everybody through this, but in the end it just wasn’t meant to come out. It was meant for me and my girlfriend and it just happened to work out the way it did. You always have to be careful, but this was something that was stolen out of an e-mail account. It wasn’t like we intended for these pictures to go anywhere. We weren’t flying them anywhere. We weren’t showing them to friends. This was stolen out of an e-mail account.”

Outfielder Reed Johnson has agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs after beginning his major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003. He hit .255 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 65 games for the Cubs last season.

A trade that saved some money made the Cincinnati Reds' next shortstop affordable. The Reds sent center fielder Willy Taveras to the Oakland Athletics on Monday as part of a four-player deal, then agreed to a $3.02 million, one-year deal with Orlando Cabrera to become their starting shortstop. Both teams made a series of moves that changed the looks of their rosters. Along with Taveras, the Reds sent infielder Adam Rosales to the A’s for infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named. Oakland was busy as well, agreeing with outfielder Gabe Gross on a $750,000, one-year contract and claiming infielder Steve Tolleson off waivers from Minnesota.

Spending the last 9 1/2 seasons in Baltimore and watching the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox annually battle for playoff berths left Melvin Mora with one big wish in free agency. "The most important thing for Melvin, being that he's 38 years old and has been playing on a sub-.500 team for many, many years, was to get to the postseason," Mora's agent, Eric Goldschmidt, said.

Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is apparently keeping his team. McLane, who bought the team in November 1992 for about $117 million, had set a Jan. 31 deadline for an investment group to make an offer. On Monday, McLane said "nothing materialized" and he was looking ahead to the 2010 season. “As I’ve said all along, my family and I are not actively attempting to sell the Astros,” McLane said in a statement released by the team. “Over the years, I have been approached many times by groups interested in discussing the possible purchase of the team, and I’ve always been open to listening. This group was granted an exclusive negotiating window which expired yesterday,” he said. “However, nothing materialized.”

On the field, nothing will change with Prince Fielder. He'll play first base, bat fourth and is still considered the key of the Milwaukee Brewers' offense. Off the field, Fielder says there's nothing to worry about right now, either. He wants to stay in Milwaukee as long as he can and there's no urgency in negotiating for a new contract.

Pirates owner Bob Nutting declined to listen to separate proposals to buy the team last year, including a surprise bid from Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux, officials with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the talks were private. The Pirates confirmed discussions with Lemieux and Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle took place, but said there was no talk about selling. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported on Saturday that Lemieux and Burkle made an unsolicited proposal for the Pirates four months ago — one that was substantial and serious, a person with knowledge of the offer told The Associated Press. Previously, Nutting turned aside several sale overtures made by Pittsburgh lawyer Chuck Greenberg, who subsequently teamed with Nolan Ryan to purchase the Texas Rangers in a deal completed last week. Several years ago, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was also rebuffed in efforts to buy the team. Nutting gave all the interested parties the same answer: The Pirates aren’t for sale, and the discussions apparently went no further.

Eric Byrnes does not care what his role becomes. Just hearing Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik say he believes Byrnes can still contribute after two injury-plagued season was good enough. Seattle added a needed, veteran right-handed bat to its roster signing Byrnes to a one-year deal on Friday two weeks after he was let loose by the Arizona Diamondbacks a year after they reached the NL championship series. Byrnes says the hamstring was just getting back to health last year when he broke his left hand. He hit just .226 in 84 games last year and it was a rehab stint at Triple-A Reno that finally got Byrnes energized again. His conversations with Zduriencik only reaffirmed his desire to keep playing. “I just needed a team to believe in me half as much as I believe in myself,” Byrnes said. “Speaking to Jack, that’s what I felt.” For his career, Byrnes is a .260 hitter with 189 doubles, 30 triples and 109 homers.

The Minnesota Twins started their annual winter gala with everything a baseball fan with cabin fever could want on a cold night: autographs from the players, batting cages and meat smoking on the grill. Everything except that contract extension for Joe Mauer. TwinsFest began on Friday without an announcement of the Mauer megadeal Minnesotans have been hoping for, that sure-to-be-expensive guarantee of keeping the American League MVP in his hometown for the foreseeable future. Mauer and the Twins have been steadfastly quiet about any negotiations, but manager Ron Gardenhire expressed optimism a deal will get done this spring. “I’m just letting it happen. I don’t sit and fret about it,” Gardenhire said earlier in the day at Target Field, where the Twins are moving this year. “I think the right thing is going to happen. I think we all know. I think we all know the ramifications if something were not to happen and it would go the other way. That wouldn’t be a good thing for anybody. I don’t see who, other than maybe some clubs out east.” Mauer is making $12.5 million this season, the last year of his current contract. He’ll be eligible for free agency in the fall if no new deal is in place, a scenario that wouldn’t bode well for the Twins given the interest the soon-to-be-27-year-old would attract on the open market. But Gardenhire, though removed from the process, wasn’t worried. “I’ll be happy when he does sign. He can buy me a beer. Probably two. Maybe three,” he said, chuckling.

Fernando Tatis has agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract to stay with the New York Mets, who also gave a minor league contract to right-hander Josh Fogg. The 35-year-old Tatis, who plays all four infield positions and the corner outfield spots, gives the Mets additional depth at first base in case they don't re-sign Carlos Delgado.

Former All-Star outfielder Jim Edmonds has agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping to return to the big leagues after sitting out last season. The 39-year-old Edmonds is a career .284 hitter with 382 homers and 1,176 RBIs in 16 seasons with Anaheim, St. Louis, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs. “He’s hit for power, he’s got experience, he knows the division,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said on Thursday. “He’s a left-handed hitter, brings experience and has Gold Gloves on his side. He may have lost a step or two, but we know what he brings.” A four-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, Edmonds hit .235 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs in 111 games for the Padres and Cubs two years ago. Melvin called it a low risk move for the club.

Baseball players are pledging to donate up to $1 million to Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The Major League Baseball Players Association says it is making a pair of $100,000 contributions to Esperanza International and Medicines for Humanity through the Major League Baseball Players Trust. The trust will give grants for the remainder of the money over the next five years. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson, the trust chair, said on Thursday that players “want to do our part to support the humanitarian efforts.”

Right-hander Tyler Walker agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals that pays him $650,000 if he's in the majors and $120,000 if he's in the minors, the latest in a series of moves to reshape the team's bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster for Walker, the Nationals designated right-hander Marco Estrada for assignment on Thursday.

Closer Huston Street and the Colorado Rockies finalized a $22.5 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that could be worth $31 million over four season. Street gets $7.2 million this year, $7.3 million in 2011 and $7.5 million 2012. The agreement, which avoided arbitration, includes a a $9 million mutual option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout if the club declines to exercise.

Jim Thome has hit 57 of his 564 career home runs against the Minnesota Twins. Now it's time to even it out a little. Thome and the Twins agreed on Tuesday on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, allowing the 39-year-old slugger to return to the division he knows well and play for a contender with his time in baseball winding down.

The New York Yankees and free agent outfielder Randy Winn agreed on Wednesday to a $2 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The agreement, which all but eliminates any chance Johnny Damon has of returning to the World Series champions, is subject to a physical that is scheduled for Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a final agreement was not in place. Winn hit .262 with two homers and 51 RBIs for the San Francisco Giants last year, but his on-base percentage was just .318. The 35-year-old was an All-Star in 2002, when he batted .298 with 14 homers and 75 RBIs for Tampa Bay.

Once Billy Beane received positive word on Ben Sheets' throwing session last week, the Oakland general manager pounced. The pitcher's agent had an impressive offer in hand from the Athletics practically by the time Sheets was done icing down his arm afterward. It was merely an hour later. Oakland took a mighty gamble on Tuesday on Sheets, agreeing terms with the free-agent righty.

Andre Dawson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Montreal Expo, despite his preference to go in as a Chicago Cub. The hall announced its decision on Wednesday. Dawson told WMVP-AM in Chicago that he thought hall officials would discuss the issue with him in detail before the decision was made.

Once Billy Beane received positive word on Ben Sheets' throwing session last week, the Oakland general manager pounced. The pitcher's agent had an impressive offer in hand from the Athletics practically by the time Sheets was done icing down his arm afterward. It was merely an hour later. Oakland took a mighty gamble Tuesday on Sheets, agreeing to terms with the free-agent righty on a $10.

The next stop on Jon Garland's tour of Southern California's big league teams is San Diego and spacious Petco Park. The durable right-hander agreed to a $5.3 million, one-year contract with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

New York Mets ace Johan Santana threw off a mound for the first time since elbow surgery last September and said he felt good. The two-time Cy Young Award winner threw 24 pitches over six minutes on Tuesday, the second day of the team's voluntary mini-camp. It was his first time off a mound since August.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told veteran slugger Jim Thome he won't be asked to rejoin the team as a designated hitter. Thome, who played three-plus seasons with the White Sox before he was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 31, was interested in returning to Chicago. General manager Ken Williams gave Guillen the final call on the move, and Guillen decided he couldn't give Thome enough at-bats to justify bringing him back. “I play him once a week or twice a week. I don’t think it was fair for him,” Guillen said on Monday. He talked to Thome on Sunday and said the veteran slugger understood the situation. Guillen has made it clear as the new season approaches that he wants a rotating DH. Backups, such as Mark Kotsay and Andrew Jones, could get a chance to keep their batting eyes sharp while regulars like Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin could have a day off from the field. And he wants a team that’s more aggressive on the bases and can create some runs with speed rather than relying on the longball. During the team’s winter convention last weekend, Williams said he would leave it up to Guillen to decide if the popular Thome would be a good fit to return. Chicago also did not re-sign right fielder Jermaine Dye, another longball threat who slumped in the second half last season. “It’s a tough conversation when you release somebody. We didn’t release Jim, we just don’t have him back,” Guillen said.

New York Mets ace Johan Santana is set to throw off a mound, hoping his left elbow has recovered from surgery late last season. Santana is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday during the Mets' three-day minicamp at their spring training complex. He expects to ready for opening day after having bone chips removed on Sept. 1. “I’m feeling good. Time will tell, but I am feeling good,” the two-time Cy Young winner said on Monday. “We did a pretty good job with the offseason, working out and doing all the rehab, and I’m feeling good. Everything is on schedule.”

Venezuelan infielder Maicer Izturis and the Los Angeles Angels have reached agreement on a $10 million, three-year contract and avoided going to arbitration. The 29-year-old Izturis set career highs last season by hitting .300 with eight home runs and 65 RBIs. He has mostly split his time between shortstop and second base.

The Baltimore Orioles and Miguel Tejada are headed toward a reunion. This time, however, Tejada will play third base instead of shortstop. Tejada and the Orioles have agreed on a 1-year contract, pending a physical, the infielder confirmed on Saturday.

Tom Hicks has agreed to sell the Texas Rangers to a group that includes Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. The sides announced on Saturday night that they had finally reached an agreement, eight days after a 30-day exclusive negotiating window expired. The group is headed by Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg.

All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract, more than seven times his $464,000 salary last season. The 26-year-old was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .282 with 25 homers and 72 RBIs. He led major league outfielders with 16 assists.

The Philadelphia Phillies kept up their busy offseason on Friday, finalizing a $22 million, three-year contract with All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino and reaching a preliminary agreement on a one-year deal with pitcher Jose Contreras. Contreras' contract is contingent on a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations said on condition of anonymity because the Phillies didn't make an announcement. Victorino’s deal, which calls for salaries of $5 million this year, $7.5 million in 2011 and $9.5 million in 2012, avoided a salary arbitration hearing next month. The two-time Gold Glove winner is now set up for life financially after a shaky start to a career in which he was left unprotected by the Dodgers in winter meeting draft, returned to Los Angeles by San Diego, then left unprotected again and taken by the Phillies.

Alex Rodriguez looked at the award he just received from Babe Ruth's granddaughter with big eyes and a broad grin. It was as if he almost couldn't believe it was his. "Postseason MVP. Wow," Rodriguez said on Saturday night. Pausing for effect he added, "What's next, the good guy award?" Less than a year ago, it would have been difficult to decide which would be more preposterous for the troubled star to earn. Rodriguez completed a tumultuous season that began with an awkward confession to past steroid use and then hip surgery that kept him out until May by being selected the winner of the Babe Ruth Award as the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s postseason MVP. A-Rod picked up the hardware at the 87th annual New York baseball writers’ dinner on Saturday night. Rodriguez used his time away from the team to rehabilitate his hip as a period of reflection. He returned with a mantra: simplify things. And after he told fans at the dinner that “he’d stick to the script of 2009 and keep it very, very brief,” he choked up, taking a long pause — save for a nervous laugh — to look down at the podium and smile awkwardly. Unlike the extended pause he took during his steroids news conference, this one was broken when an attendee — the dinner was crowded with Yankees fans — shouted, “You’re the best, A-Rod!”

Rick Ankiel will try to boost his resurrected career in Kansas City's crowded outfield. The former pitcher agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Royals on Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, which is subject to a physical, had not yet been announced.

Unable to find regular playing time for Gary Matthews Jr., the Los Angeles Angels traded the outfielder to the New York Mets on Friday and agreed to pay $21.5 million as part of the deal. Los Angeles received right-handed reliever Brian Stokes, a native Californian, in exchange for Matthews, who had slumped for three straight seasons since signing a $50 million, five-year contract with the Angels. “You always wish that when you put (out) these offers, you’re able to get the players,” Minaya said. The 30-year-old Stokes, born in Pomona, was 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA out of the bullpen last season, setting career highs for games (69) and innings (70 1-3). He spent the last two seasons with the Mets after making his big league debut for Tampa Bay. “Being from Southern California growing up, I think this is going to be awesome for me,” he said. Even before the Angels confirmed Pineiro’s agreement, Scioscia already was referring to him as a member of the team. “I think that depth moving forward is something that we need to re-establish,” he said.

Joe Blanton got his reward for consistency and durability. Blanton and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $24 million, three-year contract that avoided a salary arbitration hearing next month. The 29-year-old right-hander was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA last year. Later on Thursday, a person familiar with negotiations said the Phillies and All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino agreed a $22 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is the only remaining Phillies player in arbitration.

Right-hander Vicente Padilla decided to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers after his outstanding performance down the stretch last season, agreeing on Thursday to a one-year contract worth $5,025,000. Padilla gets a $1 million signing bonus that is deferred and a $4,025,000 salary this season. Los Angeles signed Padilla for a prorated share of the $400,000 minimum in August.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez underwent left shoulder surgery and might not be ready by opening day. Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday night that Sanchez had a recent arthroscopic procedure. Bochy first told KNBR radio of Sanchez's surgery. Sanchez had left knee surgery until late in the 2009 season. Bochy said Sanchez might not be fully recovered by opening day. “He’s going to be a little delayed,” Bochy said in a phone interview. “It’ll be close if he can go opening day or not.”

Instead of honing his swing this offseason, Miguel Cabrera focused on getting sober. "My drinking was a problem, and I feel good without it. I feel like a new man," he said on Thursday. The Detroit Tigers slugger spent three months in an outpatient treatment program for alcoholism following a much-publicized drinking binge during the final weekend of last season.

Ferguson Jenkins says Mark McGwire owes an apology to all those pitchers who gave up his home runs. The Hall of Fame ace sent an open letter to The Associated Press this week, telling the former home-run king: "You have not even begun to apologize to those you have harmed. How many pitchers do you think he ended their careers by hitting numbers of home runs off them?" Jenkins asked.

Left-hander Doug Davis and the Brewers are close to finishing a $5.25 million, one-year contract to bring the former starter back to Milwaukee. The deal will be finalized in the coming days, a person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been completed.

Outfielder Andre Ethier and closer Jonathan Broxton have finalized two-year contracts with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ethier's deal is worth $15.25 million and Broxton's $11 million. Ethier batted .272 with 31 homers and 106 RBIs last season, helping the Dodgers reach the NL championship series for the second straight year.

Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum asked for a record $13 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday, while the San Francisco Giants offered their ace $8 million. Lincecum is seeking the richest contract ever awarded in arbitration, surpassing the $10 million that Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Francisco Rodriguez (2008) got after losing cases and Ryan Howard got after winning his in 2008. If Lincecum and the Giants don’t settle, an arbitration panel will hold a hearing next month and pick one of the salaries. Lincecum’s case is an interesting test because few players have entered salary arbitration with credentials similar to his. Called up early in the 2007 season, the right-hander has a 40-17 record with a 2.90 ERA. He won the Cy Young in his first two full seasons, becoming the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson from 1999-2002. Lincecum was a bargain for the Giants last year, when he made $650,000. He had no negotiating leverage then, but is guaranteed to increase his salary by more than twelvefold even if he loses his case because he is eligible for arbitration as a so-called “Super 2” — a player in the top 17 percent of service time between two and three seasons. Lincecum’s case could be most similar to Howard, whose $10 million request in 2008 had been the highest ever for a player in his first year eligible for arbitration. Howard won the NL MVP in 2006 when he led the league with 58 home runs and followed that with 47 homers in 2007. The Phillies offered $7 million.

The Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon agreed on Tuesday to a $9.35 million, one-year contract, the highest salary for a reliever with four years of major league service. Boston also agreed to one-year deals with relievers Ramon Ramirez ($1,155,000) and Manny Delcarmen ($905,000), leaving outfielder Jeremy Hermida as the lone Red Sox player remaining in arbitration.

Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners are closing in on a five-year contract worth about $78 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the deal was not yet finished. The agreement would avoid arbitration and prevent Hernandez from becoming a free agent after the 2011 season.

Albert Pujols supports Mark McGwire, both for acknowledging his use of steroids and in his new role as hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. "I told him I'm proud of him for admitting what he used," Pujols said on Monday at the team's Winter Warm-Up. "Everybody makes mistakes."

Jim Edmonds went on stage at St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa's charity event to ask for a tryout. The 39-year-old outfielder did not play last season but never retired. La Russa said Edmonds began texting him about a comeback the day before Sunday's Animal Rescue Foundation event in St. Louis, and at first the manager thought it was a joke. La Russa said he got more texts from Edmonds during the event asking if he could come on stage, where he asked for another shot. “I thought he was going to just say how much he enjoyed the show,” La Russa said on Monday. “He’s serious. I said, ‘If you’re serious, we’ll give you a serious discussion out of respect.’ Beyond that, I don’t know.” The starting outfield is set with Matt Holliday in left, Colby Rasmus in center and Ryan Ludwick in right. But the team lacks depth heading into spring training and Edmonds, who played for the Cardinals from 2000-07, could be a fit as a fourth outfielder.

The San Diego Padres have acquired two Hairston brothers in three days. Jerry Hairston Jr., a utilityman who was with the New York Yankees when they won the World Series, agreed on Monday to a $2,125,000, one-year deal. The move was hastened after the Padres completed a trade with Oakland on Saturday to reacquire Hairston's younger brother, Scott.

The Florida Marlins spent some more money on Monday, agreeing to a $7.8 million, one-year contract with second baseman Dan Uggla and reaching deals with pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Renyel Pinto. The frugal Marlins, under pressure from the players' association, agreed last week to increase their payroll from last year's $37.5 million, the major league low. Two days later, they agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract with pitcher Josh Johnson, a deal the team still has not announced. Sanchez’s contract is for $1.25 million. Pinto got $1,075,000. The Marlins may yet reduce their payroll by trading Uggla, who hit .243 with a team-high 31 homers and 90 RBIs last year. His agent, Jeff Borris, said the contract agreement doesn’t necessarily mean Uggla will be with the Marlins when the season begins. “I don’t think this increases or decreases the chances,” Borris said. “It’s no secret they have been trying to trade him.” Negotiations toward a one-year contract for Uggla began last month and did not accelerate with the Marlins’ public pledge to spend more, Borris said. He said the team wasn’t interested in a multiyear agreement.

The Chicago White Sox avoided salary arbitration with two of their top players, agreeing on Saturday to a one-year, $7.5 million contract with closer Bobby Jenks and a one year, $3.2 million deal with outfielder Carlos Quentin. The moves came one day after both players filed for arbitration.

Free-agent shortstop Miguel Tejada has traveled to Haiti to help the victims of last week's devastating earthquake. Tejada arranged for a van full of food, water and medicine to be brought to Port au Prince on Sunday, and the Dominican Republic native took a helicopter to the Haitian capital.

Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum highlighted the list of 128 players who filed for salary arbitration on Friday, with many likely to gain enormous raises in the annual process. Lincecum has been one of baseball's best bargains, earning $405,000 from the San Francisco Giants in 2008 and $650,000 last season, when he became the NL's first repeat Cy Young winner since Randy Johnson.

Mark McGwire received a standing ovation from Cardinals fans on Sunday in his first public appearance in St. Louis since admitting he used steroids. His scheduled news conference, only minutes later, was much more combative. The second session was shifted to an overcrowded hallway at the last minute, and McGwire evaded questions about the criticism he's received from ex-players.

Right-handed reliever Nick Masset and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $2.58 million, two-year contract on Saturday, avoiding salary arbitration. Masset went 5-1 with a 2.37 ERA in a team-high 74 appearances last season. In two seasons with Cincinnati, the 27-year-old pitcher is 6-1 with a 2.32 ERA. "We're pleased we were able to get a deal done instead of going to arbitration," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said.

The group headed by Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg that includes Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan had more discussions on Saturday about purchasing the Texas Rangers, though their 30-day exclusive negotiation window with owner Tom Hicks has expired. The two sides adjourned late on Saturday night and were scheduled to resume on Sunday, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press.

Matt Kemp and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on Friday to a $10.95 million, two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration. Kemp batted .297 with 26 homers and 101 RBIs last season. He stole 34 bases and won his first Gold Glove in center field while improving on almost all of his offensive statistics from 2008, his first full big league campaign.

Not long after the St. Louis Cardinals hired Mark McGwire as hitting coach, general manager John Mozeliak began to worry he might have to find a replacement. Mozeliak said on Saturday he began preparing an "exit strategy" while the team waited for McGwire to address the issue of steroids. McGwire was hired in late October but waited about 2 1/2 months before admitting earlier this week that he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player. Mozeliak said manager Tony La Russa asked the team to just “trust him” on the move, and said the club’s top requirement was that McGwire open up about his past, unlike his much-ridiculed Congressional testimony in March 2005. “I had lots of concerns,” Mozeliak said. “I had concerns on what actually would be said and how it would be said. There were times I did think it might not happen.” Mozeliak said the Cardinals didn’t know McGwire had used steroids when he was hired, and said they would have hired him anyway. “I think we’ve all had our suspicions on what was going on in that time period,” Mozeliak said. “As long as he was being honest, we were definitely willing to forgive him. He was very much a great part of this organization and a great part of baseball, so we definitely welcome him back.” The former home run king will make his first public appearance in St. Louis since the hire at the team’s Winter Warm-Up on Sunday. He’ll be on stage at a hotel near Busch Stadium fielding questions from fans and speaking with the media. Judging from Mozeliak’s hour-long session with fans on Saturday, McGwire expects to get a warm public reception.

The new owner of the Chicago Cubs wants to build a "world-class organization" that will bring the franchise its first championship in more than a century. After paying $845 million to buy the team in October, Tom Ricketts and his family finally had a chance to speak directly to their fellow fans on Saturday at the annual Cubs Convention.

The Padres and Athletics finalized a four-player trade on Saturday that sent third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff from San Diego to Oakland. The A's also acquired minor league infielder Eric Sogard for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham. The teams had agreed the deal on Friday, pending physicals. Hairston goes back to the Padres after they traded him to Oakland on July 5 for three players. Kouzmanoff will be an insurance policy for the Athletics at third base. Six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez might not be able to return to that position after recovering from a second back surgery that cost him most of the 2009 season. “We had gone into the offseason realizing that with Eric’s health the last couple of years, it was a position that we needed to fill, and if Eric was able to come back, then we’d have a good problem on our hands,” Oakland general manager Billy Beane said. “We were pretty determined the whole offseason to find someone who could play the position on an everyday basis and hopefully play it well.”

Right-handed reliever D.J. Carrasco has signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after the Chicago White Sox declined to offer him a contract. Carrasco, 32, led all AL relievers with 89 1/3 innings pitched while going 5-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 49 games last season.

The group that has been in exclusive negotiations to buy the Texas Rangers says it is close to a deal. In a joint statement released at midnight CST on Friday, which was when their exclusive negotiating period expired, Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan said "extraordinary progress" had been made over the last couple of weeks and have come too far to walk away now,” Greenberg and Ryan said. “We are fully committed and prepared to work around the clock if that’s what it takes to reach a final agreement. We are at a point where deals get done as long as both parties share a desire to cross the finish line together. There just isn’t much left to resolve.” Hicks Sports Group defaulted early last year on $525 million in loans tied to the Rangers and the NHL’s Dallas Stars, which Hicks has owned since 1996. Hicks has said that was a deliberate move to force lenders to renegotiate terms of the deals. Any deal for the sale of the Rangers will have to be forwarded to the commissioner’s office and require approval by at least 75 percent of baseball’s owners. The group of 40 lenders holding debt from Hicks Sports Group also will have to approve the sale of the Rangers.

Carlos Beltran says the New York Mets made their request to delay knee surgery only after the operation was underway. A day after his right knee was repaired, the All-Star center fielder contradicted the claims of team officials who said they asked him to delay surgery while the club's medical staff evaluated his condition.

Florida Marlins ace Josh Johnson agreed to a $39 million, four-year contract on Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins hadn't announced an agreement. The deal covers Johnson's final two years of salary arbitration eligibility and pushes back his chance to become a free agent by two years.

Major League Baseball says it is donating $1 million to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Commissioner Bud Selig said in a news release Thursday that the contribution is being made on behalf of the league and its 30 teams. MLB is also encouraging fans to help in the relief efforts as part of its "Going Beyond" campaign to help those in need worldwide.

Outfielder Ryan Church and the Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract. The 31-year-old was bothered by a sore back while hitting .273 with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 111 games with the Braves and Mets last season. He also has had multiple concussions. The Pirates expect Church to go into the season as their fourth outfielder.

Oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $915,000, one-year contract on Wednesday. The hard-throwing right-hander was 3-3 with a 4.94 ERA and one save in 29 appearances last year during a season cut short by shoulder problems. He made $735,000.

The Kansas City Royals have hired former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost as a special adviser. The 54-year-old Yost was manager of the Brewers from 2003-08 and was 457-502. Previously, he was a coach for the Atlanta Braves, where he became acquainted with Dayton Moore, who was a front office executive with the Braves before becoming Royals general manager.

Several members of the Florida Marlins are set to visit U.S. military troops in Iraq and Kuwait from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1. The team said on Wednesday the trip is the first of its kind for a major league club since the war in Iraq began. NL Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan, catcher John Baker, manager Fredi Gonzalez and president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest are among those scheduled to represent the Marlins, along with four members of the team’s “Mermaids” dance crew. “We are extremely proud of the men and women who serve our country and we are thankful for this unique opportunity to show our appreciation,” Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said in a statement. “This trip is important to all of us, and we take our responsibility to support our soldiers very seriously.” The visit will be made in association with Armed Forces Entertainment, and the Marlins plan to provide blog updates and photos on www.marlins.com. “We know the troops stationed overseas will enjoy the little piece of home they’ll get with a visit from some of their favorite professional athletes,” said Colonel Edward F. Shock, USAF, chief of Armed Forces Entertainment.

The San Francisco Giants landed a new left-handed cleanup hitter - and Aubrey Huff made a good-natured reference to the slugger who used to hold the spot. "Listen, if Barry Bonds hit home runs there, I can, right?" Huff joked of the home run king's feats in San Francisco's pitcher-friendly ballpark.

New York Mets' All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran will miss the start of the upcoming Major League Baseball season due to knee surgery. Beltran had an operation on his troublesome right knee on Wednesday, sparking a dispute about whether he had received permission from the team, and whether the surgery was needed.

Expanded instant replay is on the agenda for the first meeting of Major League Baseball's newly formed committee of managers and longtime executives on Thursday. The 14-man committee also will discuss expanding the first round of the playoffs to best of seven and ways to eliminate lengthy breaks during the post-season.

The perennially frugal Florida Marlins have reached an agreement with the players' union to increase spending in the wake of complaints the team payroll has been so small as to violate baseball's revenue sharing provisions. The deal was announced on Tuesday in a joint statement by the Marlins, the union and Major League Baseball. The parties did not comment beyond the statement, and it was unclear how much the Marlins’ payroll might increase. The agreement runs through 2012, when the Marlins’ new ballpark is scheduled to open. “In response to our concerns that revenue sharing proceeds have not been used as required, the Marlins have assured the union and the commissioner’s office that they plan to use such proceeds to increase player payroll annually as they move toward the opening of their new ballpark,” said Michael Weiner, executive director of the players’ association. The agreement calls for arbitration if further disagreements arise, Weiner said. Baseball’s basic agreement calls for each club to use its revenue sharing receipts in an effort to improve the team. In recent years, the union has complained the requirement was not met by some teams, including the Marlins. Plagued by poor attendance in their current home, the Marlins have had the lowest payroll in the majors three of the past four seasons. But the franchise has gotten considerable bang for its buck. Last year, for example, the Marlins finished six games out of first place in the NL East with a payroll of $37 million, while the division rival Mets finished 17 games behind Florida despite a payroll of $142 million. “The Marlins have consistently made every effort to put the best product on the field, and our record supports the fact that we have been successful in that regard,” team president David Samson said.

Goose Gossage watched Mark McGwire's televised confession to steroids use and was happy his former teammate came clean. That's where the praise ended, with the Hall of Fame reliever saying there should be no place in Cooperstown for McGwire or any other player who used performance-enhancing drugs. McGwire’s tearful admission that he used steroids for a decade, including when he hit 70 homers in 1998, was the talk of baseball.

Jose Canseco says Mark McGwire is still lying about his use of steroids and his former manager Tony La Russa isn't telling the truth either. McGwire admitted on Monday that he used steroids for a decade, including when he hit 70 homers in 1998, but denied Canseco's claims that he injected himself and McGwire with steroids in bathroom stalls, and how the effects of the drugs were the reason he hit 462 career home runs. Canseco and McGwire helped lead the Athletics to a World Series sweep in 1989. “Jose is out there doing what he’s doing, but I’m not going to stoop down to his level,” McGwire told ESPN on Tuesday. “None of that stuff happened. He knows it. I know it. I’m not going to stoop down to that level.” La Russa was McGwire’s manager for nearly all of his 16-year career in both Oakland and St. Louis. He was also his fiercest defender, especially after The Associated Press reported McGwire used androstenedione during his record-breaking season in ’98. Andro, as it was known, was made a controlled substance until 2004, when it also was banned by baseball. The manager said he didn’t know until Monday that McGwire used steroids. “That’s a blatant lie,” Canseco said. “There are some things here that are so ridiculous, and so disrespectful for the public and the media to believe. I just can’t believe it. I’m in total shock. These guys remind me of politicians that go up and just lie to the public and expect to get elected.” McGwire, who retired in 2001, had been widely ridiculed since he evaded questions before a congressional committee five years ago, repeatedly saying he wasn’t there to address his past. His confession was sparked by the Cardinals’ decision in October to hire him as hitting coach. Canseco has said he is considering filing a class-action lawsuit against Major League Baseball and the players’ association. He says he’s been ostracized for going public with tales of steroids use in the sport. “I’ve proved it. I’m 100 percent accurate,” he told the radio station.

Outfielder Ryan Church has reached a preliminary agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a $1.5 million, one-year guaranteed contract that could pay him an additional $1.32 million in performance bonuses. The deal, contingent upon Church passing a physical, includes bonuses of $75,000 each for 350, 375 and 400 plate appearances, $125,000 each for 425, 450 and 475 plate appearances and $180,000.

Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is considering an offer to sell the team, a television station reported. McLane, who's owned the team since 1993, has signed a working letter of intent to sell the team to a group consisting of local and out-of-town investors, KTRK-TV reported. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed that McLane had been approached by an investment group and was listening to its offer. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has made no formal announcement. McLane told the TV station that the investors “have to show us that they have the financial capability to do the deal and they have to show us the people, because we’d only do something if it were really, highly reputable people and that there were a lot of Houston people that were involved in it.”

Ending more than a decade of denials and evasion, former major league slugger Mark McGwire admitted on Monday that steroids and human growth hormone helped make him a home run king. "The toughest thing is my wife, my parents, close friends have had no idea that I hid it from them all this time," McGwire told The Associated Press in an emotional, 20-minute interview.

Pitching great Greg Maddux has rejoined the Chicago Cubs as an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry. The 355-game winner, who started his major league career with the Cubs in 1986 and rejoined them from 2004-06, retired as a player after the 2008 season. "I'm just going to do what I can to learn how both sides of the game work this year and then kind of make a decision after that," Maddux said when asked if his new job would be a stepping stone to other baseball opportunities. He said he doesn’t currently have a hankering to manage, he’s just trying to slowly get back into the game, even though he’s only been out for a year.

Admirers of Yankees most eligible bachelor Derek Jeter could be cheering a World Series victory in November - then mourning his marriage a few days later. The New York Post reports on Sunday that the star shortstop and girlfriend Minka Kelly will be married on Nov. 5 on Long Island.

The San Francisco Giants and first baseman Aubrey Huff agreed to a one-year contract pending a physical, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't made a formal announcement, which might not come until later in the week once all the details are finalized.

Franklin Gutierrez grew up in downtown Caracas, in a house that he says "wasn't very large, normal." "My mother and father took me to ballgames," Gutierrez said on Friday. "They would do everything they could do to buy a glove for me, and a bat."

Vladimir Guerrero is switching sides in the AL West. Guerrero has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, opting to stay in the same division where he helped the Los Angeles Angels to five titles in the last six years. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press about the agreement on Saturday.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has told his Japanese counterpart that he is open to games between the World Series and Japan Series champions, but no steps have been taken for such a matchup. Selig met this week with Japanese commissioner Ryozo Kato in Milwaukee. Officials of Major League Baseball and the players' association said on Thursday there had been no discussion of such a plan. An agreement between management and the union would be necessary.

Andre Dawson's first order of business after donning his new Hall of Fame jersey and cap was to make a confession. "As I stand here, I'm literally shaking," Dawson said on Thursday. "I had a knee replacement on one leg that I thought was dead but it's shaking." Dawson's journey to the Hall was a painful one - and not because he had to endure a nine-year wait.

Casey Kotchman spent summers from age 7 through 10 on long rides with dozens of older guys all over Washington. He was traveling from Boise, Idaho, tagging along with the low-level minor league team managed by his father, Tom. "I enjoyed all the bus rides. I spent a lot of time growing up here in the Northwest," Kotchman said on Thursday.

Cut by Colorado near the end of spring training, Scott Podsednik found himself on the couch watching the start of the 2009 season. Doubt? You bet. Podsednik had it. He eventually was picked up by the White Sox and ended up having a pretty good season for Chicago. From that opportunity comes another. Podsednik agreed to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with Kansas City on Friday.

Pitcher Brett Myers and the Houston Astros have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that guarantees him $5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on Friday on condition of anonymity because the contract was subject to a physical, which likely will be next week.

San Mateo County prosecutors have charged Barry Bonds' son with five misdemeanors after he allegedly threw a doorknob at his mother. Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said on Thursday that 20-year-old Nikolai Bonds faces charges of battery, false imprisonment, vandalism, making threats to an officer and obstructing an officer.

The Oakland Athletics added some much-needed power to their lineup with someone they already know swings a reliable bat: free agent Jack Cust. The A's agreed to a $2.65 million, one-year contract on Thursday to bring back Cust, giving the team the pop in the middle of the order it was seeking this offseason. Defense is not his strong suit, though Geren said Cust has improved his outfield play and still could be an option there. “What’s exciting about Jack is he’s becoming more of an all-around player,” Geren said.

Bert Blyleven is starting to believe. In his 13th year on the Hall of Fame ballot, the Dutch pitcher with the neatly groomed beard and big-breaking curveball came within five votes of election to Cooperstown on Wednesday. Five votes! That's close enough to make a man rant. But for Blyleven, the latest results represent progress. After waiting more than a decade for his accomplishments to be fully appreciated, he’s a just whisper shy of enshrinement with two tries left on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. “The writers are finally getting it,” Blyleven said in a telephone interview. “Hopefully, this will lead to getting over that hurdle next year.” He wasn’t the only player who barely missed. Second baseman Roberto Alomar, considered a shoo-in by some, fell eight votes short of the 75 percent needed. He received 397 votes (73.7 percent), the most of any first-year candidate not elected. It marked the first time in BBWAA balloting that two players fell fewer than 10 votes shy in one year. “I feel disappointed, but next year hopefully I make it in,” Alomar said at his home in New York, where his son cried. “At least I was close. … I’m glad that this is over.” Andre Dawson was the lone player elected on Wednesday, getting in on his ninth attempt. He was chosen on 420 of 539 ballots (77.9 percent), 15 more votes than he needed after falling 44 short last year. Dawson, who went 8 for 41 (.195) with two homers against Blyleven, thinks the right-hander belongs in Cooperstown, too. “I was optimistic that we both probably would get in and I was kind of prematurely thinking and looking forward to that,” Dawson said. “It’s awful to even think about five votes as the decision between not getting in the Hall of Fame at this particular time and now having to have to wait another year. It could have very easily been me. We were both right there at about 65-67 percent (last year). And you know, my heart goes out for him. I feel for him because, five votes — it’s a little hard to swallow.”

Bert Blyleven, Roberto Alomar, Jack Morris and Barry Larkin should feel confident about their Hall of Fame chances. Even though they fell short this year, the quartet should examine Andre Dawson's nine years on the ballot. Dawson received 214 of 472 votes (45.3 percent) when he first appeared in 2002, falling 140 short of the necessary 75 percent.

Speedy Jacoby Ellsbury is moving from center field to left to make room in the Boston Red Sox outfield for Mike Cameron. "It came down to the fact that Cameron's experience is almost exclusively in center and Jacoby demonstrated in 2007 and 2008 that he can be an impact corner outfielder defensively," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein wrote in an e-mail on Wednesday. Cameron, who spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, signed a two-year contract as a free agent with Boston on Dec. 16. At the time, he said he would play wherever the Red Sox want him. But Cameron, who turns 37 on Friday, won three Gold Gloves as a center fielder. Ellsbury, 26, will take over in left for Jason Bay, who signed with the New York Mets as a free agent. “We are more than comfortable with Jacoby in center,” Epstein said. “We just feel that — for now — this alignment puts us in the best position to win games. Both Mike and Jacoby were great about it and said they would do whatever was best for the team. Jacoby knows he’ll still be a centerfielder in the long run, and Mike looks forward to helping Jacoby any way he can,” he added.

Kelly Shoppach and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on Tuesday to a $5.5 million, two-year contract. The deal will pay the team's new catcher $2.25 million this year and $3 million in 2011. It includes a club option for a third season at $3.2 million or a $300,000 buyout. The Rays obtained the 29-year-old Shoppach from Cleveland.

The Red Sox and Mariners are working on a trade that would send first baseman Casey Kotchman from Boston to Seattle, according to a person familiar with the talks. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the trade was perhaps a couple of days from being finalized. The teams are still deciding which player or players the Mariners would send to Boston. It is believed none would be major league starters. ESPN.com first reported the proposed deal. Boston has an excess of veteran corner infielders. The Red Sox agreed on Tuesday on a one-year contract with former Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre. They also had worked out a trade to send third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas for catcher Max Ramirez, but that was derailed last month when an examination showed Lowell had an injured thumb. He had surgery on Dec. 30 and is expected to be ready for spring training. The 26-year-old Kotchman, a .269 career hitter who has never hit more than 14 home runs in a season and is known for defense, joined Boston on July 31 in a trade with Atlanta. He played in 39 games with the Red Sox. Selected 13th overall in the 2001 amateur draft, Kotchman spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Angels and has played in 520 games over six major league seasons. The proposed deal suggests Seattle won’t bring back slugging first baseman Russell Branyan. The Mariners fear the free agent might not be completely healed from a disk issue in his back from late last season and may not be worthy of the multiyear contract he wants. The person familiar with the trade talks also told the AP that the Mariners are likely to announce in the coming days a contract extension with center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Gutierrez’s agent, Wil Polidor, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Tuesday evening.

Rory Markas, a play-by-play sportscaster who spent the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, has died. He was 54. Markas was found dead at his home in Palmdale on Monday and the cause of death was not immediately available, Angels spokesman Tim Mead said on Tuesday. Markas had surgery for a blood clot on his brain in late 2008.

Now that his shoulder is finally healthy, Troy Glaus is ready to learn a new position and regain his power stroke. Glaus and the Atlanta Braves finalized a $1.75 million, one-year contract on Tuesday, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $2.25 million in performance and roster bonuses.

Carlos Delgado went 1-for-4 on Sunday night in his first game since undergoing hip surgery in May, an injury that ended his season with the New York Mets. The free agent slugger batted cleanup as the designated hitter for the Carolina Giants in Puerto Rico's winter league. His single came on a fly ball to short left field in the sixth inning. “I felt better than I expected, for the time I spent without playing. I hadn’t seen live pitching since May,” he said. “The most important thing is this was a step in the right direction.”

Ken Griffey Jr. likes the offseason moves made by the Seattle Mariners so far - to the point he's optimistically clearing his calendar late into the year. "We're going in the right direction," Griffey said Sunday. "A couple of more wins, postseason, I don't have anything planned until like early November.

Ken Griffey Jr. likes the offseason moves made by the Seattle Mariners so far - to the point he's optimistically clearing his calendar late into the year. "We're going in the right direction," Griffey said on Sunday. "A couple of more wins, postseason, I don't have anything planned until like early November."

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Edwin Encarnacion was burned in the face by fireworks while celebrating the new year in his native Dominican Republic. Fiancee Jennifer Pena told The Associated Press that Encarnacion was released from the hospital on Saturday and is resting at home. She said his injuries do not require surgery. Encarnacion received first- and second-degree burns when his brother released a firework that hit him in the right side of the face and exploded near his body, she said. He was celebrating with his family in the southeastern coastal city of La Romana. Doctors at a nearby clinic treated Encarnacion before he was flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. “We are grateful for the concern that everyone has shown,” Pena said.

The Philadelphia Phillies and free agent reliever Danys Baez have reached a deal. A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the sides agreed on a two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Baez must pass a physical for the contract to be complete.

Mike Lowell is expected to be ready for spring training after having surgery on Wednesday on a thumb injury that derailed his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the Texas Rangers. The operation to repair a radial collateral ligament in his right thumb that was torn late last season was done in Phoenix.

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui is confident he can make a return to the outfield next season when he suits up for the Los Angeles Angels. Matsui returned to Japan on Wednesday, two weeks after reaching agreement on a $6 million, one-year contract with the Angels. Slowed by surgically repaired knees, the 35-year-old Matsui is likely to replace Vladimir Guerrero as Los Angeles' primary designated hitter for the New York Yankees. He was selected World Series MVP despite starting only three of the six games against Philadelphia, going 8 for 13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBIs and tying a Series record by driving in six runs in Game 6. Matsui said he heads to the Angels with a mixture of excitement and unease. “I’m somewhat anxious but there’s a lot to look forward to,” Matsui said.

The Cubs found the center fielder they'd been searching for, agreeing on Thursday to a $15 million, three-year contract with Marlon Byrd. And the Cubs are hoping to have more success with this former Texas Rangers outfielder than the one they signed last offseason - Milton Bradley. Byrd hit .283 with 20 homers and 89 RBIs last season for Texas. He will take over in center from Kosuke Fukudome, who will move to right field full-time after the trade of the troubled Bradley to Seattle. A career .279 hitter with 60 homers and 335 RBIs in 785 major league games with Philadelphia, Washington and Texas, Byrd will be reunited with former Texas and current Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. In three seasons working with Jaramillo in Texas, Byrd batted .295 with 40 homers and 212 RBIs. “When I knew I had the opportunity to become a Cub, I was really hoping that this would be my landing ground,” Byrd said during a conference call with reporters, adding that rejoining Jaramillo made it even better. “I really enjoyed my last three years with Rudy. I’m very comfortable with him. As you guys have heard over and over again, he is the best in the business. Especially with Rudy and me being close and having that relationship, it’s going to work with him another three years.” Byrd gets $3 million next year, $5.5 million in 2011 and $6.5 million in 2012. He will pretty much replace Bradley, whose signed a $30 million, three-year deal with the Cubs and lasted only one contentious season. Bradley hit .257 with 40 RBIs and was suspended the final two weeks of the season by general manager Jim Hendry after criticizing the atmosphere surrounding the Cubs.

Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird and his younger brother, New York Yankees infield prospect Brandon Laird, were arrested following a brawl in the lounge area of Phoenix's NBA arena, according to police. Phoenix police said Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault on Wednesday night and 22-year-old Brandon Laird was cited for disorderly conduct.

Veteran left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado and the Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a minor league deal. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo made the announcement Saturday. Terms were not disclosed. The 39-year-old Guardado is fourth among active pitchers with 908 appearances in a 17-year career with the Rangers, Twins, Mariners and Reds. The two-time All-Star has 187 career saves—including an American League-leading 45 in 2002. Nicknamed

For several years, Mark DeRosa daydreamed of eventually playing in San Francisco. He enjoys the city's vibe and atmosphere, from walking to the ballpark to trying out top restaurants. "I felt like it would be a cool place to play and an interesting place to bring my family," he said.

The New York Mets have signed right-hander Kelvim Escobar to a one-year contract. The team announced the deal on Monday. He was expected to get $1.25 million. Escobar, an 18-game winner in 2007, missed nearly all of the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels because of shoulder trouble. If healthy, he would likely work out of the bullpen for the Mets, who are looking for setup help for All-Star.

Reliever Matt Capps reached a preliminary agreement early on Thursday on a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. Capps can earn an additional $425,000 in performance bonuses for games finished under the deal, which was reached about 12:30 a.m. The pitcher's agent, Paul Kinzer, said the agreement is subject to a physical that will take place in the first week of January.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed reliever Bob Howry to a one-year contract with a club option for 2011. Terms weren't disclosed. The 36-year-old right-hander was 2-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 63 appearances with the San Francisco Giants last season. Right-handed batters hit just .207 against him. Howry has a 44-49 career record in parts of 12 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Boston, Cleveland,.

Reliever Fernando Rodney has signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old right-hander spent his first seven major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, including the last two years as their closer. He converted 37 of 38 save opportunities last season, pitching a career-best 75 2-3 innings.

The Washington Nationals have agreed with infielder Eric Bruntlett and first baseman Josh Whitesell on minor league contracts for 2010. Both players received invitations to major league spring training. The 31-year-old Bruntlett played the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and was part of their 2008 World Series championship team.

Right-hander Justin Duchscherer has reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that would keep him with the Oakland Athletics, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized.

Chan Ho Park has sued his former Los Angeles Dodger batterymate Chad Kreuter, accusing him of failing to fully pay off a $460,000 loan. Park filed the lawsuit on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming breach of promissory note and negligent misrepresentation. The suit claims Park loaned Kreuter $460,000 in October 2005 to be repaid a year later with interest.

The San Francisco Giants hope Mark DeRosa can provide the power in the middle of the lineup they've been seeking this winter. The Giants made their first big splash of the offseason on Monday, reaching an agreement with the free-agent infielder on a two-year contract. Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said the 12-year veteran was in San Francisco and passed a physical on Monday.

After missing out on top arms this offseason, the New York Mets are ready to try a questionable one. Injury-plagued pitcher Kelvim Escobar and the Mets reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.25 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed on Saturday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Major League Baseball ensured its first decade of labor peace since the 1960s by agreeing to a five-year contract with umpires that runs through 2014. The deal announced on Wednesday, which is subject to ratification next month, was the second straight achieved without acrimony since a failed mass resignation in 1999 led to 22 umpires losing their jobs.

Alex Rodriguez joined the list of cheaters this year, and Manny Ramirez and David "Big Papi" Ortiz are forever tainted now, too. Five years after Major League Baseball added punishments to its testing program, questions about performance-enhancing drugs still swirl around America's favorite pastime. The sport’s ongoing drug problem was chosen as the 2009 Story of the Year by members of The Associated Press, outmuscling even the shocking downfall of Tiger Woods. “The impact that story had made it the story of the year,” said Lance Hanlin, sports editor of the Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette and The (Hilton Head) Island Packet. “It was a big, ongoing, overall story.”

When Javier Vazquez last threw a pitch for the New York Yankees, it was a nadir in the team's storied history. He gave up two homers to Johnny Damon, including a key grand slam, as the Yankees lost Game 7 of the 2004 AL championship series to Boston. Now Vazquez is back, acquired on Tuesday from the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Melky Cabrera.

Major League Baseball and its umpires have completed negotiations for a new labor contract and are likely to announce an agreement on Wednesday, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. The sides worked into Tuesday evening to reach the deal. Owners and umpires hope to ratify the agreement next month.

Chip Caray is headed back to the Atlanta Braves broadcasting booth. Caray said on Monday he was hired to be the team's play-by-play man on Fox Sports South and SportsSouth and he is expected to work about 105 games next season. The hire came three weeks after parting ways with Turner Sports. The 44-year-old is the son of late Braves broadcaster Skip Caray and a grandson of famed broadcaster Harry Caray. He called first-round playoff games for TBS during the past three seasons and also worked a few dozen Atlanta games this season for a local Turner-owned station. Caray is replacing Jon Sciambi, who left after the 2009 season for a full-time job at ESPN. He says,

Winning came with a hefty price for the New York Yankees. The World Series champions were hit with a luxury tax of nearly $25.69 million on Monday, according to information received by clubs and obtained by The Associated Press. New York is the only team to pay a tax for this season and has crossed the threshold in all seven years since the tax started.

Reliever Darren Oliver and the Texas Rangers reached a preliminary agreement on Monday on a $3.5 million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2011. The deal is pending a physical, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized.

Major League Baseball and its umpires are nearing agreement on a new contract, two people familiar with the negotiations said on Monday. The deal could be reached as soon as Tuesday, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcements were authorized. Management has been seeking to gain increased flexibility on postseason assignments as part of the agreement, which could allow.

Free-agent pitcher Jason Marquis and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract, pending a physical, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday. One person said the agreement is worth about $15 million. Both spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed.

Ryota Igarashi thinks the New York Mets have a good chance at success next season. The Japanese reliever, who agreed last week to a $3 million, two-year contract, decided to join the Mets because he wanted to be with a winner. "I've been looking for a team to proceed to the World Series," he said on Monday during a conference call from Arizona. “The Mets have been very high regarded, especially with my teammates here. Some of them have had experience with the Mets, prior to this.” He cited Kazuhisa Ishii and Shingo Takatsu, who played for the Mets in 2005 and pitched alongside Igarashi on the Central League’s Yakult Swallows. Other Japanese players on the Mets have included pitchers Takashi Kashiwada (1997), Hideo Nomo (1998), Masato Yoshii (1998-99), Satoru Komiyama (2002) and Ken Takahashi (2009); second baseman Kaz Matzui (2004-05); and outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (2001, ’03). “There’s no doubt that the Mets are definitely an easier team to join, obviously, because of the Japanese players prior to myself,” Igarashi said. The 30-year-old right-hander is the first major addition to the Mets since their 70-92 fourth-place finish in the NL East.

Mike Lowell will have surgery to repair a ligament in his right thumb and need six to eight weeks to recover, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The diagnosis negates - or at least postpones indefinitely - a trade that would have sent the 2007 World Series MVP to the Texas Rangers.

Scott Rolen agreed on Saturday to a two-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds that guarantees him an additional $13 million while converting almost half of his 2010 salary to a deferred signing bonus. The deal, which runs through 2012, clears a little bit of payroll room for the Reds and shows how much they value the 34-year-old third baseman as a clubhouse leader.

The Oakland Athletics were closing in on a deal on Sunday with free-agent outfielder Coco Crisp on a one-year contract with a club option for the 2011 season. A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed an impending deal on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made by the club.

There are only two people from whom Milton Bradley has ever wanted to get an autograph. He's about to play with one of them. "Some of the things that happen in your life and as a baseball player are kind of surreal to you. To play with Ken Griffey is one of those," Bradley said of the Mariners star.

The New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez found out this week his surgically repaired right hip is holding up fine and he can start his winter workouts. "Great news," he said on Thursday. Rodriguez had surgery last March for torn cartilage and missed the first month of the Major League Baseball season. At the time, Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the operation, thought Rodriguez would need a more extensive procedure in the offseason. But Philippon recently examined Rodriguez, and it showed the three-time MVP had properly healed. The doctor told Rodriguez he was OK on Monday. Otherwise, Rodriguez probably would’ve been “having surgery today,” he said. Rodriguez was the Yankees’ top hitter in the playoffs, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs as they won the World Series. He had 30 homers and 100 RBIs during his injury-shortened regular season. Philippon checked Rodriguez during the first round of the playoffs and liked what he saw. “I have to say, I’m impressed with his progression and the way the season went,” Philippon said then. “I wouldn’t say I’m surprised because you’re dealing with a world-class athlete who has a lot of discipline.”

The Dodgers have reached preliminary agreement with free agent Jamey Carroll on a $3.85 million, two-year contract. Carroll's agent, Jonathan Maurer, confirmed the deal on Thursday, with the second baseman expected to undergo a physical in the next few days. Maurer said the deal includes incentives up to $525,000 a year based on at least 275 plate appearances.

Cliff Lee thought he was staying in Philadelphia - for the rest of his career. The Phillies' postseason star proposed a routine counteroffer on a contract extension on Wednesday, then headed for the Mississippi River near his Arkansas home to hunt. He got some stunning news on the drive there. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. called to tell Lee he had been traded to Seattle for three prospects in a four-team deal that brought Roy Halladay to the Phillies. It was the first time that two Cy Young Award winners were dealt on the same day. Speaking by cell phone on Thursday night while beginning a long-planned vacation in Puerto Rico, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner said he was in “disbelief and shock.” The 31-year-old left-hander had been excited to rejoin the Phillies for a run at another World Series. Instead, he’s headed to his third team in five months. “At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies,” Lee said. “I thought I’d be spending the rest of my career there. … I was under the impression they wanted to keep me there for a long time. In my mind, it was going to happen.” Lee was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner when the Phillies got him from Cleveland on July 29. He went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA down the stretch, then starred in the postseason by going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts. Lee earned both of the Phillies’ wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He was wowed by what he called an “unbelievable” lineup and excellence from top to bottom in Philadelphia’s organization. While saying he was “disappointed, sure,” he said he can’t blame the Phillies for preferring Halladay. “Basically, they had an opportunity to get the best pitcher in baseball,” Lee said, realizing the Phillies moved him because they wanted to seize a chance to restock their minor league system. “I can’t blame them for choosing Roy Halladay over me.”

Roy Halladay heard so many rumors last season he was being traded to Philadelphia, he couldn't help but imagine standing on the mound in red pinstripes when they played in the World Series. "I can't lie," he said. "I did. I had quite a few dreams about it, too." Halladay has a few more years to make it a reality now that he got his wish and was traded to the Phillies.

Hoping they found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the New York Mets agreed with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi on a $3 million, two-year contract on Thursday. The 30-year-old Igarashi became the first major addition this offseason for the Mets following a 70-92 season debacle. New York thinks Igarashi could fill the role of eighth-inning setup man for All-Star closer Francisco.

Curtis Granderson put on his "NY" cap, buttoned up his pinstriped jersey and went right to work for the New York Yankees. On a cold, blustery afternoon, the newly acquired center fielder stood near the loading dock at Yankee Stadium for 20 minutes, helping fans drop off canned green beans, Pringles potato chips and other items during the team's annual food drive. “It’s not something you have to do,” Granderson said on Thursday. “But when you’ve been given so much, why not give back? It’s something you should do.” Lauded by commissioner Bud Selig, Jim Leyland and many others for his off-the-field contributions, Granderson hopes to equally deliver with his bat, gloves and spikes. He’s well versed in who previously roamed center field for the Yankees — Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bernie Williams, among others — and who packs the ballpark. “Fans that probably know more about you than you do,” he said. The Yankees got Granderson last week from Detroit in a three-team trade that included Arizona. He was a first-time All-Star last summer, and hit 30 home runs and stole 20 bases.

Third baseman Garrett Atkins and reliever Mike Gonzalez have reached preliminary agreements with the Baltimore Orioles, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Gonzalez gets a $12 million, two-year contract and Atkins receives a one-year deal with an option for 2011 that guarantees him $4.5 million.

Pitcher John Lackey has finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. The top pitcher in the free agent market joins a strong rotation that includes right-hander Josh Beckett, and lefty Jon Lester. General manager Theo Epstein called Lackey a significant boost to the team. Lackey has a 102-71 regular-season record with a 3.81 ERA in eight seasons, all with the Angels.

The Los Angeles Angels went from one aging designated hitter to another in finalizing a $6 million, one-year contract with World Series MVP Hideki Matsui that all but signaled the end of the Vladimir Guerrero era on Wednesday. Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last season for the New York Yankees, then was selected World Series MVP despite starting only three of the six games.

Chuck Greenberg would have withdrawn his bid to buy the Texas Rangers had Nolan Ryan aligned himself with another group. "There's only one Texas Rangers, only one Nolan Ryan. They need to be together," Greenberg said in a conference call on Wednesday night. A day after the investor group that is headed by the Pittsburgh sports attorney and includes Ryan gained exclusive negotiating rights.

Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks will enter into an exclusive negotiation for the sale of the team to a group headed by Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg that includes team president Nolan Ryan. Hicks Sports Group said in a release on Tuesday night that Greenberg's group "primarily consists of Dallas-Fort Worth investors," including the family of Hicks, who would maintain a stake.

The blockbuster trade sending Roy Halladay to Philadelphia and Cliff Lee to Seattle could be completed on Wednesday, and it's become a four-team swap that involves Toronto shipping a prospect to Oakland. The Blue Jays would send Halladay and $6 million to the Phillies for three minor leaguers: catcher Travis d'Arnaud, right-hander Kyle Drabek and outfielder Michael Taylor. Philadelphia would also deal Lee to the Mariners for a trio of prospects: right-hander Phillippe Aumont, outfielder Tyson Gillies and right-hander Juan Ramirez. Toronto would then trade Taylor to the Athletics for third baseman Brett Wallace, obtained by Oakland last July from St. Louis in the deal for outfielder Matt Holliday. Halladay would receive a $60 million, three-year contract extension through 2013 with the Phillies, a deal that would include a 2014 option. Details of the nine players involved in the swap of Cy Young Award winners, first reported by ESPN.com and prospectinsider.com, were confirmed by several baseball officials familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade was not yet final. Teams were still reviewing medical records and going through the final details. New Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos moved quickly to deal Halladay, who will make $15.75 million next year and had been eligible for free agency after the season. The deal fell into place at about the same time as Boston — which also had been interested — reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent pitcher John Lackey on a five-year contract worth $80 million to $87.5 million. Lackey’s deal will be announced on Wednesday along with outfielder Mike Cameron’s contract in separate news conferences, the Red Sox said late on Tuesday night.

The retooling Red Sox made two key moves in one day, reaching tentative agreements with pitcher John Lackey and outfielder Mike Cameron. Lackey and Boston agreed on a five-year contract, according to a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations. The deal is worth $16 million to $17.5 million a season, the official said on Monday on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet.

World Series most valuable player Hideki Matsui and the Los Angeles Angels have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract worth about $6.5 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday because the contract was not yet final.

The Phillies have a tentative agreement to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay in a trade with Toronto, and the former Cy Young Award winner was in Philadelphia on Monday for a physical required to complete the deal. Philadelphia also is discussing a trade that would send Cliff Lee, another former Cy Young winner, to the Seattle Mariners.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the fourth time in less than three years that a member of the team has faced drunken-driving allegations. Police in Maryland Heights, Mo., said on Monday that Freese was stopped at 2:40 a.m.

Chien-Ming Wang became a free agent when the New York Yankees failed to offer a contract for next season by Saturday night's deadline. The 29-year-old right-hander was a 19-game winner in 2006 and 2007, starting the Yankees' postseason openers in both years, but he hasn't been the same since severely injuring his right foot while running the bases at Houston on June 15, 2008.

Right-handed reliever Grant Balfour has agreed to a $2.05 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, avoiding arbitration. The Rays announced the deal on Sunday. Balfour went 5-4 with a 4.81 ERA in 73 appearances last season.

Jack Cust became a free agent on Saturday when the Oakland Athletics failed to offer him a 2010 contract. Cust hit .240 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs last season but struck out 195 times, becoming the first player to lead in the AL in three straight seasons since Minnesota's Bobby Darwin from 1972-74. Cust whiffed 164 times in 2007 and 197 times in 2008.

Garrett Atkins became a free agent when the Colorado Rockies failed to offer a contract for next season. Atkins, who turned 30 on Saturday, has spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Rockies. The third baseman slumped to a .226 average this year with nine homers and 48 RBIs after hitting .286 with 21 homers and 99 RBIs in 2008.

Reliever J.J. Putz agreed on Friday to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Chicago White Sox and will fill a setup role in the bullpen. Putz is 23-19 with a 3.24 ERA and 103 saves in 337 relief appearances over seven major-league seasons with Seattle and the New York Mets. He was 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA with the Mets last season in 29 appearances before undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow on June 9, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. “We’ve been monitoring him ever since the season ended and his daily workouts we’re very familiar with,” White Sox general manager Ken Williams said, adding Putz would be under no restrictions once spring training begins in February. “He passed the physical with flying colors and we couldn’t be happier with what was communicated to us,” Williams added. “Needless to say, we feel from the top of our rotation down through the end of the bullpen, we feel as strong as we’ve ever been.” Putz was an AL All-Star in 2007 when he was 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves. He was traded to the Mets in a three-team deal in December of 2008. He will serve as a setup man, along with lefty Matt Thornton, for closer Bobby Jenks. The White Sox had an opening in their bullpen after not re-signing free agent Octavio Dotel.

Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan says he is unsure when or how the pending sale of the team will be resolved - a decision that will determine if he stays with the organization. "I have no way of knowing," Ryan said on Friday. "We'll just have to wait and see." Ryan has partnered with Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and a group of mainly local investors in a bid to buy the team.

The Tampa Bay Rays completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano and agreeing to a $7.25 million, one-year contract with the reliever. The deal sent right-hander Jesse Chavez to the Braves, who weren't willing to give Soriano a long-term contract and recently signed free agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito. The Rays were searching for bullpen help after the lack of a proven closer contributed to the 2008 AL champions not failing to reach the playoffs. With several pitchers sharing the role, Tampa Bay wound up with 22 blown saves — eighth most in the major leagues. Soriano had a career-best 27 saves in 31 opportunities for the Braves. In 75 2-3 innings, he struck out 102 while walking 27. “We had our eyes on different guys, but I don’t think any that make us feel as confident about our bullpen heading into the season as we do now,” said Andrew Friedman, the Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations.

The Boston Red Sox are discussing a trade that would send 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers. The 35-year-old third baseman was an All-Star four times from 2002-07, hitting .324 with 21 homers and 120 RBIs in 2007. But he slumped to 73 RBIs in 2008 and 75 RBIs this year, hitting 17 homers each season.

A person familiar with the deal says the Atlanta Braves are close to trading reliever Rafael Soriano to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Jesse Chavez. The teams were waiting for the medical reports to be approved, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade hadn't been finalized.

Looking to fill two big holes and add much-needed power to their lineup, the New York Mets have made contract offers to a pair of free agents: left fielder Jason Bay and catcher Bengie Molina. The team's bid for Bay was between $60 million and $65 million over four years. Molina would cost much less.

The Milwaukee Brewers landed a pair of free-agent pitchers on Wednesday, reaching agreements with starter Randy Wolf and reliever LaTroy Hawkins, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Wolf's deal is worth $29.75 million over three years and includes a $10 million option for 2013, one of the people said on Wednesday.

Right-hander Rich Harden and the Texas Rangers have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that guarantees him $7.5 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Wednesday, The deal calls for a $6.5 million salary next year and includes an $11.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout, the person said.

Andy Pettitte asked himself all the important questions: Was he ready to prepare for another long year? Could he top last season? Was his family on board? And then he decided - rather quickly, too - he indeed wanted to pitch again for the New York Yankees. "I didn't want to regret not playing," he said.

Randy Johnson is still weighing his decision about whether to pitch again in 2010 or retire after 22 major league seasons. Agent Alan Nero, speaking from the winter meetings in Indianapolis, said he expects to know in the coming weeks whether the 46-year-old Johnson will return for another year. "It depends whether he still has the fire and whether he wants to compete and how he feels," Nero said in a phone interview. “He’s enjoying his family. In the past he was always so motivated to get back out there. Now, it gets to a point he’s going to make some decisions, and I can’t speak for him.”

Peter Gammons is leaving ESPN after 20 years to become an analyst for MLB Network. Gammons will offer commentary for breaking news and big events such as the postseason, winter meetings, amateur draft and the trade deadline. He will appear on the network's news shows as well as develop short documentary-style pieces. He also will write regularly for MLB.com, becoming part of its new columnist Web site.

Third baseman Mark Teahen agreed on Tuesday to a $14 million, three-year deal with the Chicago White Sox and avoided arbitration. Acquired from Kansas City on Nov. 6, Teahen will earn $3.75 million next year, $4.75 million in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. He had been eligible for free agency after the 2011 season. “It’s nice to have the contract kind of worked out and not have to worry about the arbitration process, which can be strenuous,” Teahen said. “They see me as part of the future. It’s nice to have it all wrapped up and I can focus on baseball, and I’m looking forward to having the comfort of playing with a guaranteed contract, as well.” Teahen batted .271 with a career-high 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 144 games with the Royals last season. He made 99 starts at third base, 31 in right field and three at second.

Brad Penny's late-season pitch seems to have paid off. Fresh from an impressive showing in the final month, Penny reached a tentative agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals on a $7.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Monday night.

Ivan Rodriguez and the Washington Nationals reached a preliminary agreement on Monday on a $6 million, two-year contract. The deal is subject to the 38-year-old catcher passing a physical, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.

Whitey Herzog spent a good, long time stewing about a blown call in the 1985 World Series. So in a strange way, perhaps this fits: He's going into the Hall of Fame, standing next to an umpire. Herzog and prominent crew chief Doug Harvey got the call on Monday, elected to the Hall by the Veterans Committee.

Pedro Martinez says he's thankful that the Philadelphia Phillies gave him a chance to play for them and is eager to compete for the NL East champions next season. The 38-year old Martinez said on Saturday at David Ortiz's charity golf tournament at Cap Cana the Phillies "treated me very well and they were very professional."

Marco Scutaro slipped on his new Red Sox jersey to pose for the cameras, then asked whether he should leave it on for the rest of the news conference. "Sure. Go for it," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein confirmed. You'll excuse Scutaro if he's tentative about slipping into a position that's seen little stability since 2004.

Pedro Martinez says he's thankful that the Philadelphia Phillies gave him a chance to play for them and is eager to compete for the NL East champions next season. The 38-yearold Martinez said on Saturday at David Ortiz's charity golf tournament at Cap Cana the Phillies "treated me very well and they were very professional."

Chone Figgins is moving up the coast in the AL West. And Seattle has a dynamic replacement for Adrian Beltre at third base - even before Beltre is officially gone. The Mariners and Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday night. The 31-year-old Figgins is coming off one of his best seasons, leading the American League with 101 walks and posting a career-high on-base percentage of .395. The All-Star speedster batted .298 with five homers and 54 RBIs as Los Angeles won its third consecutive division title. He is a career .291 hitter who has averaged 48 stolen bases during his eight seasons in the major leagues, all with the Angels. Figgins gives Seattle a formidable pair at the top of its batting order with nine-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki and a vastly different offense compared to Beltre at third. Figgins had a career-best nine homers and 62 RBIs in 2006; Beltre had hit at least 25 homers in three consecutive seasons before this year. Beltre has until Monday to accept Seattle’s offer of salary arbitration, but it’s unlikely he’ll do it. He wants to test the free-agent market. If Beltre declines the offer and signs with another team, Seattle will receive a compensatory pick in next June’s draft. It will be around 15 picks after the No. 18 overall choice the Mariners will surrender to sign Figgins, a Type-A free agent. Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik didn’t sound worried on Thursday about possibly losing a first-round pick in order to gain a prime free agent.

White Sox general manager Ken Williams said on Friday that he is not shopping Bobby Jenks and too much has been made of a perceived rift between the team and its closer. Williams insisted he hasn't had any trade talks involving Jenks and added "we value him here" during a conference call with Chicago reporters. The winter meetings are next week and he’s in no hurry to make a move. Jenks’ status has been an issue since the end of last season, when a calf injury sidelined him for the final two weeks. The team called out his conditioning, suggesting it was to blame for a statistical slide that saw him finish with his lowest save total (29) in four full seasons as a closer and his second-highest ERA (3.71). He made it clear in an interview with MLB.com in October that he wasn’t happy about that. Williams said Jenks “understands how we feel” and the organization has always “been on the same page with Bobby — get out there in the best shape you can, give yourself the best opportunity to succeed and have the best chance for success.” The White Sox already have made several moves after going 79-83, adding depth to their bench by re-signing utility player Mark Kotsay and signing five-time All-Star Andruw Jones and 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel.

Japanese reliever Takashi Saito agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with Atlanta on Thursday as the Braves make another move to strengthen their pitching staff. Saito, who turns 40 in February, has 83 saves in four major league seasons after a long career in Japan. He made the National League All-Star team in 2007, when he had 39 saves for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Placido Polanco is putting aside his Gold Glove and switching positions to have a chance at winning a championship. Polanco returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, agreeing to an $18 million, three-year contract. The 34-year-old free agent won Gold Gloves at second base for the Detroit Tigers in 2007 and this year, but will shift to third base, which hasn't been his primary position.

The Oakland Athletics took a big step toward boosting their lackluster offense. The A's acquired third baseman Jake Fox, second baseman Aaron Miles and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for three players. The Cubs got right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray, minor league outfielder Matt Spencer and minor league righty Ronny Morla.

There was just one positive steroids test in the major leagues over the full first year of the toughened program, but the number of players authorized to use otherwise banned stimulants because they have ADHD rose by a small amount for the second straight year. Baseball granted 108 therapeutic use exemptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during the year ending with this World Series, according to the annual report released Tuesday by MLB’s independent drug-testing administrator. That was up from 106 a year earlier and 103 in 2007. “Today’s report contains good news and bad news,” said Rep. Henry Waxman, who has held hearings on drug use in sports. “The good news is very good — only one positive steroid test. But the bad news is deeply disturbing,” the California Democrat said. “It is hard to believe that the ADD prevalence rate in baseball is that high.” Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s executive vice president for labor relations, said the level of ADHD exemptions, known as TUEs, was not cause for alarm. Manfred said concerns were not justified because ADHD is more prevalent among males and young people. “These TUEs are based on diagnoses that originally are made by a doctor and they are reviewed by one if not more doctors to verify the diagnoses,” Manfred said. “And I’ve got to rely on the medical people.” Dr. Gary Wadler, a frequent critic of baseball’s drug-testing program, also praised the sport’s overall progress but said the amount of the TUEs was a concern. “Is there something unique about the sport of baseball that attracts individuals with ADD? I suspect not. It seems to me an excessively high number,” said Wadler, chairman of the committee that determines the banned-substances list for the World Anti-Doping Agency. “This is a problem that merits some independent analysis. Is the TUE process as tight as it needs to be or does it represent some sort of a loophole?” Other than ADHD, there were just seven TUEs: two each for hypertension and hypogonadism, and one each for narcolepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-concussion syndrome.

Dick Enberg has agreed to become the San Diego Padres' lead television play-by-play announcer, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Wednesday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club didn't plan to announce the multiyear deal until Thursday afternoon. Enberg will do 110 to 120 games a season, the person said. He’s expected to continue to broadcast Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed broadcaster Vin Scully will return to the booth for his 61st season in 2010. Scully already had said he planned to return for another season before deciding his future next fall. Scully's 60 years of service is the longest tenure of any broadcaster in sports history, according to the Dodgers.

The Oakland Athletics have agreed terms on a one-year contract with right-handed reliever Joey Devine worth $557,500. Devine was projected as the team's closer for 2009 but missed the entire season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in April, performed by Dr. James Andrews. Devine went 6-1 with a 0.59 ERA and one save for the A's in 2008.

The Atlanta Braves took another major step toward solidifying their pitching staff for next season, agreeing on Wednesday to a $7 million, one-year contract with closer Billy Wagner. Next up: the offense. "The bullpen is one of the areas we needed to upgrade to get where we want to go," Braves general manager Frank Wren said during a news conference at Turner Field.

Get ready for more postseason baseball games - and fewer off days. Players would like to see the first round of playoffs expand to best-of-seven when their next labor contract starts in 2012, Michael Weiner said on Wednesday in his first news conference since replacing Donald Fehr as the union head. "There is a lot of sentiment for a seven-game division series," Weiner said.

Tommy Henrich, nicknamed "Old Reliable" for his knack of delivering clutch hits for the New York Yankees, died on Tuesday. He was 96. Henrich died in Dayton, Ohio, the team said. Henrich was a five-time All-Star outfielder who joined the Yankees in 1937 and finished in 1950, winning four World Series championships.

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, Houston shortstop Miguel Tejada and Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf were among the free agents who weren't offered salary arbitration by Tuesday night's deadline, moves that enable new teams to sign them without losing draft picks. Because all three were Type A players under the free-agent rankings, their former teams would have received two draft picks if they were offered salary arbitration.

Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis' wife died from an overdose of cocaine and an anesthetic, lidocaine, an appellate court disclosed in a ruling released on Tuesday. The ruling also said an investigation revealed evidence that Gabrielle Schoeneweis' cocaine use "may have caused harm to another person." That person was not identified. Gabrielle Schoeneweis was found dead on May 20 in the master bedroom of the couple’s home in Fountain Hills, a Phoenix suburb. A three-judge Court of Appeals panel disclosed the cause of death in a ruling on whether an autopsy report and other records on Gabrielle Schoeneweis’ death must be disclosed under Arizona’s public records law. The Court of Appeals panel said further proceedings are needed to determine that based on public interest in any investigation into criminal conduct.

Major League Baseball officials have asked Internet sites to remove racy photographs of Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore. Sizemore said the photos - one of them showing him nearly nude - were stolen from his girlfriend's e-mail account and posted online. He contacted baseball officials to stop the spread of the photos, which began appearing on Sunday on various Web sites.

Derek Jeter posed in his crisp pinstripe uniform, resting a shiny black bat on his shoulder, while a photographer lying on the ground near the entrance to a Bronx subway station snapped pictures of the New York Yankees shortstop from a low angle. Photographing the Yankees captain from below to make him look more regal seemed beside the point.

The Los Angeles Angels voted to give a full postseason share to the estate of Nick Adenhart, the rookie pitcher killed in April in a car accident allegedly caused by a drunken driver. The Angels' shares were worth $138,039. Los Angeles lost to the New York Yankees in the AL championship series. The Yankees won the World Series, and their full postseason shares were worth a record $365,053.

Roberto Alomar is among 15 first-time candidates of this year's Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven. Edgar Martinez, Barry Larkin and Fred McGriff also are new to the ballot this year. There are 26 candidates, three more than last year when Rickey Henderson was elected in his initial appearance and Jim Rice made it on his 15th and final try.

Roberto Alomar is among 15 first-time candidates of this year's Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven. Edgar Martinez, Barry Larkin and Fred McGriff are also new to the ballot this year. There are 26 candidates, three more than last year when Rickey Henderson was elected in his initial appearance and Jim Rice made it on his 15th and final try.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million on Thursday, which includes a club option for 2011. The move came a day after backup shortstop John McDonald agreed to a $3-million, two-year deal that effectively marked the end of free agent Marco Scutaro's time with the club.

Bob Sheppard has no intentions of returning to his longtime job as the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium, MLB.com reported on Thursday. Sheppard, who is 99, hasn't worked a game since late in the 2007 season due to illness. "I have no plans of coming back," Sheppard told the Web site in a telephone interview. “Time has passed me by, I think. I had a good run for it. I enjoyed doing what I did. I don’t think, at my age, I’m going to suddenly regain the stamina that is really needed if you do the job and do it well.” When contacted by The Associated Press, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said the team had no announcement or comment at this time. Famous for his distinct and resonant tones, Sheppard became the PA announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. Decades later, Reggie Jackson gave him the nickname “The Voice of God.” Sheppard has called out names from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter over the years. For the final game at the old park in 2008, he recorded a greeting to fans and the introduction of New York’s starting lineup. Paul Olden took over as the public address announcer at the new Yankee Stadium this year in Sheppard’s absence. Jim Hall, a longtime backup, filled in for Sheppard late in 2007 and last year. But when Jeter steps to the plate, it’s still a recording of Sheppard’s voice that rings out: “Now batting for the Yankees, No. 2, Deh-rick Jee-tuh.”

Andruw Jones agreed on Wednesday to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Jones hit .214 with 17 homers and 43 RBIs in 82 games with Texas this year while making 53 starts as the designated hitter, 12 in left field, five in right field and four at first base. A five-time All-Star who has slumped in recent years, Jones was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January and signed with the Rangers the following month. He agreed to a $36.2 million, two-year contract with Los Angeles in December 2007. Now 32, he can make an additional $1 million in performance bonuses under his agreement with the White Sox. “This is an opportunity to add a power bat to the roster while improving our outfield depth,” White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said.

Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer has been hospitalized due to recurring symptoms from groin surgery in September. The team announced on Wednesday that Moyer has been admitted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital but did not give any more information about his condition.

Shortstop John McDonald has decided to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a $3 million, two-year contract. The 35-year-old hit .258 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 151 at-bats last season for Toronto. He made 35 starts, including 19 at shortstop, nine at third, five at second and two in left.

Albert Pujols matched Stan Musial and did him one better, too. Stan the Man never won any of his three MVP awards unanimously. Pujols received all 32 first-place votes in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday, taking the NL prize for the second straight year and third overall.

Mark McGwire was hired to be the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach a month ago, and the former home run king's initial media session has yet to be scheduled. General manager John Mozeliak, who said on the day McGwire was hired that a news conference would be held "sooner rather than later," was tightlipped on Tuesday about the team's plans.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan asked for an unprecedented reconsideration of an appeals court ruling that government agents illegally seized drug-testing samples and records of baseball players who allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003. Kagan and 22 lawyers from the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s offices asked the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals to have all 27 of its judges rehear the long-running case that involves the results of 104 players the government says tested positive during baseball’s 2003 survey. Although the names of the players in dispute are under seal and were to remain confidential, the identities of four have been leaked to the media: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Sammy Sosa. The government’s brief, filed on Monday, didn’t address the original facts central to the case but rather new rules for computer searches that were contained in August’s decision by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski. “In some districts, computer searches have ground to a complete halt,” the government wrote. “Many United States Attorney’s Offices have been chilled from seeking any new warrants to search computers.” A “limited en banc” panel of 9th Circuit judges voted 9-2 in August that investigators trampled on protections against unreasonable searches when they seized the records and samples of 104 players. Prosecutors initially obtained warrants for only the test results of 10 players as part of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative investigation. Kozinski’s majority opinion contained a major change in Fourth Amendment law, ruling that federal magistrates should insist the government waive reliance on the “plain view doctrine” in computer evidence searches. That doctrine allows prosecutors who obtained search warrants to use evidence of other crimes they come upon during the original search. Kozinski also said specialized computer personnel or third parties should segregate evidence taken during computer searches and that evidence not originally targeted cannot be disclosed to government agents. He also said the government must return or destroy any non-targeted evidence that it seized. The government said the decision conflicted with Supreme Court decisions and federal rules of criminal procedure that go into effect next month.

Omar Vizquel is joining a team with a long history of Venezuelan shortstops, and that was part of the attraction in coming to the Chicago White Sox. The 42-year-old Vizquel agreed on Monday to one-year contract worth nearly $1.4 million to add depth, experience and perhaps advice to a young infield. Last season, the White Sox made 113 errors. Now they have an 11-time Gold Glove winner around, one who has spent most of his days at shortstop during a 21-year career. “I feel pretty comfortable that I can do the job in the field, that I can still run and hit and do everything that a major league player is asked to do,” Vizquel said. Vizquel, who will turn 43 in April, will play for fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, a former shortstop who will be 46 in January. The White Sox manager made it clear his team didn’t sign Vizquel to be a coach. But Vizquel said he’ll gladly be a mentor to younger infielders. Chicago traded for Mark Teahen and he will play third; Alexei Ramirez will be at shortstop and Gordon Beckham will switch from third to second in his second season. “I look at myself as a mentor to some other guys,” Vizquel said. “I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. I’ve always been there for younger guys. I’ve been playing in the big leagues for a while.” With the Texas Rangers this year, Vizquel hit .266 with one homer and 14 RBIs in 62 games. He had no errors in 207 chances while playing shortstop, third and second. The slick-fielding veteran also mentored Venezuelan shortstop Elvis Andrus, the runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year.

Ken Griffey Jr. is being rewarded for his leadership and seniority. According to contract figures obtained on Monday by The Associated Press, the deal Griffey signed this month to return to the Seattle Mariners for one more season as a 40-year-old calls for a $2.35 million base salary for 2010. Baseball's active home run leader would earn $3.9 million if he again has at least 400 plate appearances.

At the ripe old age of 26, Joe Mauer now has an AL Most Valuable Player award to add to a jam-packed trophy case that already holds three batting titles, three Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves. So just what else can the Minnesota Twins catcher do to top that? "World Series," Mauer quickly answered.

The Nationals say No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a dislocation in his left knee joint and should be fine for spring training. Strasburg was examined on Friday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. The Nationals say Strasburg will not require surgery, and that treatment will include rest and physical therapy.

For so many years, the formula for winning a Cy Young Award was pretty simple: Win a lot of games. Denny McLain was a unanimous pick in 1968 and deservedly so. He posted 31 victories - the combined total of this year's Cy Young starters, Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke. A whopping win total, a good ERA and a bunch of strikeouts often brought home the hardware.

The Chicago White Sox are closing in on a contract agreement with free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel. The deal could be announced as soon as Monday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented. Vizquel, who will be 43 in April, has played 21 major league seasons.

It's the time of year in baseball for courting and bluffing - sometimes simultaneously. Free agent signing season began on Friday with teams competing for a dearth of stars and a large number of players nearing the end of their careers. With only pitcher John Lackey and outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay considered elite players by most, it could be a slow signing season as teams seek to fill needs with solutions that are less than ideal. “Those players who are franchise players that are available are even more valued because of the rarity of them,” said agent Scott Boras, who represents Holliday. The second tier includes starters Erik Bedard, Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf; relievers Fernando Rodney and Billy Wagner; first baseman Carlos Delgado; second baseman Placido Polanco; shortstop Miguel Tejada; third baseman/outfielder Chone Figgins; third basemen Mark DeRosa and Pedro Feliz; outfielders Mike Cameron and Johnny Damon; and designated hitters Vladimir Guerrero and Hideki Matsui. “It’s not a deep marketplace, but in the end you’ve got some good players out there,” New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

Former Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren was hired on Friday as bench coach for the Washington Nationals, who rounded out manager Jim Riggleman's staff by also adding Jim Lett as bullpen coach and Dan Radison as first-base coach. McLaren replaces Pat Corrales, Lett takes over for Randy Knorr, and Radison replaces Marquis Grissom.

Pitcher John Grabow became the first of the 171 free agents to reach agreement on a new deal, getting a $7.5 million, two-year contract on Friday from the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old left-hander combined to go 3-0 with a 3.36 ERA last season in a career-high 75 relief appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cubs. As one of the Cubs most experienced relievers, Grabow said he has no preference what his role might be. “If it’s the sixth inning or if it’s the ninth inning, it doesn’t matter. Your job is to go in there and get guys out,” he said. Grabow said he’d been pitching with bone chips in his elbow for about three years, but it hasn’t been a major issue. “Throwing a baseball for all these years your arm is going to develop different things that are just part of the wear and tear,” he said.

Tim Lincecum has been so dominant in his first two full major league seasons that even his top bosses don't know how he can get much better. Two NL Cy Young Awards, a pair of All-Star selections - all at age 25. Lincecum has a couple of ideas in that area: Grow up and make better decisions personally, and pitch the San Francisco Giants into the playoffs at last.

Some teams lost money in 2009, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said on Thursday after the final owners meeting of the year. "There was no question about that," Selig said. "I don't think the concerns have been ameliorated at all. I think the concerns are still there because all these people have their own economists."

The Yankees' Andy Pettitte and the Mets' Fernando Tatis have become the final players to file for free agency this year. The pair filed on Thursday, the final day of the 15-day window following the World Series. A total of 171 players filed for free agency. They can start negotiating financial terms with all teams starting on Friday.

Jim Tracy was out of baseball when Clint Hurdle called last October to talk to him about joining Hurdle's staff in Colorado. Tracy was focused on his duties as bench coach for the Rockies when he came to spring training. Now, he's the NL Manager of the Year - and has a new contract, too. Talk about a nice season.

The Colorado Rockies have rewarded manager Jim Tracy with a three-year contract. The Rockies announced the deal on Wednesday, less than an hour after he won the NL Manager of the Year award. Tracy was promoted from bench coach in late May after Clint Hurdle was fired. The Rockies went 74-42 under Tracy and won the NL wild-card spot.

Baseball plans to cut down on off days during the postseason next year. Commissioner Bud Selig said on Wednesday he's working on tightening up the 2010 playoff schedule so there will be fewer gaps between games. Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia criticized the current format after the Yankees and Angels played only eight times in 20 days going into Game 6 of the AL championship series.

Zack Greinke fidgeted a bit and spoke softly. Winning the Cy Young Award brought up a whole lot of unwanted attention. "A lot of stuff going on today when I usually just like doing nothing," he said. "But just part of life." The Kansas City Royals ace easily beat out Felix Hernandez for the honor on Tuesday after a spectacular season short on wins but long on domination.

Utilityman Eric Bruntlett, who scored the winning run in the final game of the 2008 World Series, became a free agent after refusing a minor league assignment from the Philadelphia Phillies. Bruntlett batted just .171 (18-for-105) in this season after hitting .217 in 212 at-bats in '08. Bruntlett got more playing time last year because of an ankle injury to shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Andrew Bailey was driving along, talking to his agent on a handsfree cell phone, when another call came in. Figuring it was probably his mom, the Oakland Athletics closer finished one conversation and clicked over. Good news, kid: You're the Rookie of the Year in the American League.

The Washington Nationals have hired Bryan Minniti as assistant general manager and Jay Sartori as director of baseball operations, filling out GM Mike Rizzo's front office. Minniti spent the past nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the last two as director of baseball operations. Sartori has been working for Major League Baseball's labor relations department.

Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells has had surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be ready for spring training. The team said on Friday that doctors repaired cartilage in his wrist, which he broke diving to make a catch against the Indians in 2008. Wells struggled through one of his worst seasons as a pro in 2009, batting just .260 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre says he was pleased when successor Joe Girardi and the New York Yankees won the World Series this month. Torre managed the Yankees for 12 years, leading them to four titles before leaving after the 2007 season. Girardi replaced him and led New York to its 27th championship this year.

The Rockies declined a $5 million option on right-hander Rafael Betancourt, a key setup man as Colorado won the NL wild-card race. Betancourt filed for free agency later on Friday. Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd said the team will continue to negotiate with the reliever. Betancourt went 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 61 games while splitting time with Cleveland and Colorado last season.

After shortstop Jack Wilson arrived in Seattle in a trade last summer, it didn't take long for him to know he wanted to stay. "About an hour, hour and a half," Wilson said by telephone with a chuckle from his home in Southern California on Friday. Now he has 10 million more reasons to love Seattle. The 31-year-old defensive whiz agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract with the Mariners. According to terms obtained by The Associated Press, Wilson gets $5 million in each of the next two seasons and can earn $250,000 a year in performance bonuses: $50,000 for 450 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 500 and 550 plate appearances. Seattle had an $8.4 million option with a $600,000 buyout under the contract Wilson had agreed with the Pirates before the 2006 season. The Mariners had inherited that contract from Pittsburgh on July 29, when they traded for the 31-year-old Wilson plus pitcher Ian Snell, for infielder Ronny Cedeno, catcher Jeff Clement and three minor league pitchers.

Jim Riggleman opened his first news conference in 10 years as a full-fledged, full-time, full-titled major league manager - no "interim" tag to be found - by saying he didn't want to list the people he needs to thank, lest he forget someone. And then, not surprisingly, the man who will manage the Washington Nationals in 2010 proceeded to list those people.

Former All-Star closer John Wetteland was resting at home on Thursday night after a trip to a hospital, where the Seattle Mariners say he was treated for an elevated heart rate. Authorities responded to a 911 call from Wetteland's home in the afternoon. Wetteland just finished his first season as Seattle's bullpen coach.

Tim Hudson agreed a $28 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, giving the team a wealth of starting pitching and setting up a likely trade to bolster the offense. Hudson could have returned to the Braves under a $12 million option, but the sides focused on a longer deal after the right-hander showed he had overcome major elbow surgery.

Lawyers for Roger Clemens filed a motion in Brooklyn federal court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit by the pitcher's former trainer, claiming statements that accused Brian McNamee of trying to shake down Clemens were not serious. Joe Roden, one of the attorneys representing Clemens, said the seven-time Cy Young award winner, lawyer Rusty Hardin and others were not serious when they questioned McNamee’s mental state and accused him of manufacturing evidence, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday. “They are part of the public battle of words between the two camps, and in no way suggest to the average reader that McNamee is actually mentally unfit,” wrote Roden, a lawyer with Hardin’s firm. The evidence referred to are used syringes and bloody gauze pads McNamee turned over to federal authorities. McNamee has said he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH over a period of several years, a claim the former pitcher has vehemently denied. “Clemens never used steroids or HGH,” Roden said. “Refuting false evidence is not defamation.”

Junior's back in Seattle, one more time. Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners agreed on Wednesday to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in town for what could be his final season. Griffey, who turns 40 on Nov. 21, was guaranteed $2 million when he signed to return to Seattle for the 2009 season and had the chance to earn more in bonuses from this year’s contract. He is likely to again be a part-time designated hitter in his 22nd major league season since he broke in as a grinning Mariners teenager. “The fact that Junior is ending up his career in Seattle is very special,” Goldberg said. “He is willing to perform any role.” Griffey figures to again be the leader of a rising team that last season became the 13th club since 1901 to finish with a winning record the year after losing 100 games. “He’s open to anything,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a telephone interview from baseball’s GM meetings in Chicago. “What he said was, `I’d like to be a part of this. Hey, I’m the part of a 25-man club. Let the pieces fall where they may … let the manager make the decisions.’ It’s a real bonus to have him back.” A 10-time All-Star and the 1997 AL MVP for the Mariners, Griffey hit .214 last season with 19 homers as a part-time DH. He was limited by a swollen left knee that required a second operation in as many offseasons last month. Griffey is No. 5 on the career home run list with 630.

No more interim tag for Jim Riggleman: He is going to be the Washington Nationals' full-fledged manager in 2010. The Nationals are sticking with Riggleman after promoting him from bench coach midway through last season, two people in baseball familiar with the team's plans told The Associated Press.

That travel team back in Virginia a decade ago must have played great defense on the left side of the infield. Ryan Zimmerman succeeded boyhood friend David Wright as the National League's Gold Glove third baseman on Wednesday. In high school, when Zimmerman was a shortstop, the two played together on a youth team.

Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog, Gene Mauch and Danny Murtaugh are among the former managers who will be on the ballot when the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee votes next month. Tom Kelly, Davey Johnson, Steve O'Neill and Charlie Grimm also are on the 10-man ballot for managers and umpires. The Hall released the names on Tuesday.

Upon further review, baseball's general managers like instant replay the way it is. GMs failed to take a vote on Tuesday on expanding instant replay following a postseason filled with blown calls by umpires.

Derek Jeter sure is stuffing his trophy case this year. The steady Yankees shortstop won his fourth Gold Glove on Tuesday, joining New York first baseman Mark Teixeira among the American League players rewarded for fantastic fielding. "I've always taken a great deal of pride in my defense, and being honored with a Gold Glove is an accomplishment I will never overlook," Jeter said in a statement. “I take a lot of pride in my defense, so this award is very special to me. It’s humbling to have your name associated with some of the great players who have won a Gold Glove, especially the third basemen.” In addition to the voters, Longoria thanked teammate Carlos Pena, last season’s Gold Glove winner at first base. “We all know how good he is. He probably saved me at least five errors this year, so without him the award might not have been possible,” Longoria said.

Sammy Sosa says a cosmetic cream he uses to soften his skin is the reason for his lighter skin tone. The former Chicago Cubs slugger was photographed at the Latin Grammy awards in Las Vegas last week with a noticeably whiter face. Sosa says he has been using the cream for a long time, and combined with bright TV lights, it made his face look whiter than it really is.

Instead of swaying palm trees, the roar of 747s greeted baseball's general managers on Monday as they began gathering for their annual meeting. They came to a hotel near O'Hare International Airport to swap stories and perhaps players, and to start discussions with agents. Increasing the use of instant replay could be a topic when the formal meetings start on Tuesday, especially after a series of missed calls in the postseason. “How far would I go with it? A lot further than most,” Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams said. “I think the game has changed with the use of technology. I think we should bring it up to date.” Video reviews, which began in 2008, currently are limited to determining whether potential home runs are fair or foul or whether the ball cleared a fence. “I have been on record as using as much technology as possible for the betterment of our game and to protect the umpires, too,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday. Cashman is comfortable commissioner Bud Selig will protect the game and “make sure that whatever gets implemented is done in the proper way, and if it gets done slowly over time and we’re better for it, so be it.”

The Red Sox exercised their $7.7 million option on Victor Martinez and declined options on Jason Varitek and Alex Gonzalez on Monday. Boston also agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, replacing a perpetual $4 million annual club option.

The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $10 million option on All-Star Carl Crawford. The team on Monday also declined $2 million options on left-handed reliever Brian Shouse and backup catcher Gregg Zaun. The 28-year-old Crawford was the MVP of this year's All-Star game. The speedy left fielder also is the longest-tenured player in Rays history and the franchise's career leader in hits.

The Philadelphia Phillies have declined their $5.5 million 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz. Feliz hit .266 with 12 home runs and 82 RBIs in 158 games for the National League champion Phillies this season. He'll receive a $500,000 buyout.

Mets reliever J.J. Putz and Twins pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency on Saturday. Putz became a free agent one day after New York declined his $9.1 million option and chose to pay a $1 million buyout. A total of 120 players have filed for free agency since the World Series, and about 60 more are potentially eligible to file by the deadline.

Manny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season. The team said on Friday that the slugger exercised his $20 million contract option for 2010. His agent Scott Boras informed general manager Ned Colletti of the decision, which Ramirez had until this month to make. He could have exercised an out clause in the two-year, $45 million deal he signed in March.

The Minnesota Twins have picked up outfielder Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011. Cuddyer hit a career-high 32 home runs to lead the team. He also had 94 RBIs and was sixth in the American League with 73 extra-base hits. When slugger Justin Morneau went out with a back injury in September, Cuddyer moved from right field to first base.

The mother of former major leaguer Victor Zambrano has been kidnapped. Zambrano's agent Peter Greenberg says Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano was abducted on Sunday morning from her son's farm near Maracay in central Venezuela. In Venezuela, which is home to dozens of major leaguers, the families of wealthy athletes are periodically targeted by kidnappers.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge will have surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. Lidge is scheduled to have a loose body removed and Dr. Michael Ciccotti also will evaluate his right flexor/pronator tendon. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. also announced on Saturday night that outfielder Raul Ibanez and reliever Scott Eyre will have surgery on Monday.

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum has an agreement with a prosecutor in his home state of Washington that could settle his misdemeanor marijuana charge, The Columbian reported on Friday. The Vancouver, Wash., newspaper said Clark County prosecutors have reached a deal with a lawyer for the 2008 Cy Young Award winner that would result in a $250 fine for possessing a marijuana pipe from the car’s center console. Schatzel said police consider the 3.3 grams a small amount for personal use, well below the maximum of 40 grams before possession is classified differently and carries a more severe penalty. “It’s not really out of the ordinary. It happens every day,” Schatzel said about the volume of marijuana Lincecum handed over.

Crowds roared, church bells rang and streams of paper rained down on Broadway as the New York Yankees celebrated their 27th championship Friday in a way only this city can, with a parade up the Canyon of Heroes. The players, joined by a few celebrity fans and Yankees of the past, drank it all in as they rode on floats and double-decker buses through Manhattan's financial district.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state. Washington State Patrol spokesman Steve Schatzel said on Thursday that the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former University of Washington star was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 5 in the town of Hazel Dell, about four miles north of the Oregon border, in Oct.

The Florida Marlins are big on players who outperform their contract, which is why outfielder Jeremy Hermida is bound for Boston. The Red Sox acquired the former first-round draft choice on Thursday for left-handers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. Hermida was the 11th overall pick in 2002 but has yet to fulfill his projected potential,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. “Things never really came together for him in the big leagues. That’s not uncommon for young players. He’s about to turn 26, coming into his prime. … It may not happen; it may not happen with us,” Epstein added. “Certainly we liked him a lot as an amateur and throughout his minor league career, so from those factors it was a reasonable deal.” A starter since 2006 for Florida, Hermida is a career .265 hitter with 57 homers. “He had a lot of opportunity here,” general manager Larry Beinfest said. “Given his talent level, I think the expectation was for more. Hopefully he’ll realize it elsewhere.” The trade was the sort the Marlins often make, paring payroll while adding pitching. Jones is expected to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training. He had a 9.24 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Red Sox. A Florida native who pitched for Florida State, he went 4-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 36 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2009. Alvarez went 9-4 in Class A this year with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts and 14 relief appearances. The 20-year-old Venezuelan had 16 walks and 74 strikeouts in 107.2 innings “Really good numbers,” Beinfest said.

Bobby Abreu had no interest in spending another winter - or even another week - without an employer. The Los Angeles Angels were only too happy to oblige the slugger who transformed their lineup this year. The veteran outfielder agreed on Thursday to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the Angels rather than test the free-agent market again. “I really feel happy here with Los Angeles,” Abreu said in a telephone interview from Las Vegas. “I really enjoy to play for them, and I think when they started with the conversation for the contract and we didn’t have any problems back and forth, it was a nice negotiation. It was no problem to stay and come back with the Angels.”

The Atlanta Braves and Tim Hudson are nearing agreement on a three-year contract that would protect the team's strength at starting pitching. A surplus of starters could give general manager Frank Wren options as he looks to improve the team's lineup in the offseason. Atlanta holds a $12 million option on the 34-year-old Hudson, a right-hander who was 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts this season after his return from elbow ligament-replacement surgery. Hudson’s agent, Paul Cohen, said on Thursday the sides are getting closer to a deal but no agreement has been finalized.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi capped off a victorious evening by helping a car crash victim in suburban New York. Police said Girardi pulled over to help after a woman lost control on a Westchester County parkway and crashed into a wall around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. That was just hours after Girardi's team claimed a World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hideki Matsui took a meaty cut, watched the ball fly and winced when it hooked a foot foul. That's about all that went wrong for him. Matsui put the world in World Series MVP, earning the award by homering, doubling, singling and driving in six runs on Wednesday night as the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 to claim their 27th championship.

The New York Yankees bolted from the dugout even before the last grounder was scooped up. After waiting nine years for championship No. 27, no one would dare hold them back. "It feels better than I remember it, man," captain Derek Jeter said. "It's been a long time." Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that elusive title. Matsui, the Series MVP, powered a quick rout of old foe Pedro Martinez. And when Mariano Rivera got the final out, it was ecstasy in the Bronx for George Steinbrenner’s go-for-broke bunch. What a way for Alex Rodriguez and Co. to christen their $1.5 billion ballpark: One season, one World Series crown — the team’s first since winning three straight from 1998-2000. “The Yankees won. The world is right again,” team president Randy Levine said. The season certainly ended a lot better than it started — with a steroids scandal involving A-Rod, followed by hip surgery that kept him out until May. “My teammates, coaches and the organization stood by me and now we stand here as world champions,” said Rodriguez, who admitted using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas. “We’re going to enjoy it, and we’re going to party!”

Alex Rodriguez grabbed the World Series trophy and wouldn't let go. After the New York Yankees regained the title for the first time in nine years, after the podium presentation before a delirious crowd of 50,315 christened the new ballpark with a championship in its first year, A-Rod was the one to carry the trophy back to the clubhouse, under a shower of Moet & Chandon and Armand de Brignac. “It’s been a special year. I know it started rocky for us.” He had piled up money in the bank and MVP awards on his mantle. Now he has the one and only prize he’s ever wanted — a World Series championship ring. “He’s exorcised a lot of demons,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said a few feet from the podium. “There’s no reason to take any ‘He can’t do this; he can’t do that.’ He’s done it all now. So now, he can just continue to write history, because he’s one of the greatest players to ever play this game.” After six seasons of hits and home runs, heartaches and headaches, he finally earned his pinstripes in the eyes of the fans the only way Yankees can — with a title. “I’m so happy the way they treated me all year,” he said. “They stood behind me. Walking around the City of New York, everybody was so supportive.”

Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino was examined by doctors on Tuesday and manager Charlie Manuel said he isn't sure if he'll be able to play in Game 6 of the World Series on Wednesday night. Victorino was struck on his right index finger by an A.J. Burnett fastball in the first inning of Philadelphia's 8-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night’s 8-6 loss because light-hitting Jose Molina was behind the plate again for A.J. Burnett’s start. “It really makes the lineup a lot stronger,” Posada said. Matsui is 5 for 9 with two homers and two RBIs in the Series while the switch-hitting Posada is batting .313 and has driven in five runs against the Phillies. “Getting Matsui back is always important to our lineup,” manager Joe Girardi said.

The way Alex Rodriguez sees it, the New York Yankees are in solid shape. They won two of three in Philadelphia and still have a pair of chances to wrap up the World Series back home in the Bronx. Andy Pettitte is expected to pitch on Wednesday night in Game 6 and then CC Sabathia in Game 7, if needed. "Obviously, you want to get greedy and win all three," Rodriguez said.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells will have surgery next week to repair damaged cartilage in his left wrist. The team announced on Tuesday that Wells is expected to be ready in time for spring training. Wells, who is entering the third season of a seven-year, $126-million contract extension, hit .260 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in 158 games last season.

By the ninth inning, Phillies fans were preparing for the worst. The New York Yankees were at it again, chipping away at a dwindling lead and threatening to take away the Phils' World Series title right there at Citizens Bank Park. Desperate to hang on, somehow Chase Utley and the Phillies did. Derek Jeter grounded into a double play, Mark Teixeira struck out, and Philadelphia staved off the Yankees and elimination with an 8-6 win in Game 5 on Monday night. Now comes the hard part: winning twice at Yankee Stadium. Game 6 will be played on Wednesday night, with New York’s Andy Pettitte going on short rest against Pedro Martinez, not exactly a beloved figure in the Bronx.

Injured center fielder Melky Cabrera was replaced by backup infielder Ramiro Pena on the New York Yankees' World Series roster on Monday. Cabrera left the Yankees' 7-4 win in Game 4 on Sunday night in the middle of the sixth inning with a slightly strained left hamstring. He took an awkward swing and appeared to hurt his leg while running out a grounder.

Chase Utley is too old-school to flip his bat, pause at the plate, jog slowly or do any flashy handshakes after he hits home runs. It's not like he doesn't have enough opportunities. Utley connected twice on Monday night to tie Reggie Jackson's record for homers in a World Series, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 8-6 in Game 5 to avoid elimination. Utley is batting .333 (6 for 18) with five homers and eight RBIs against the Yankees. His success means more cameras follow him around. Utley — no surprise — prefers to avoid the microphones.

It was all starting to slip away from the Yankees. CC Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain let the Phillies tie the game and Brad Lidge was on the mound in the top of the ninth, looking like the closer who brought his team a World Series title a year ago. He dominated pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui and struck out Derek Jeter. Then up walked Johnny Damon. Ball one, three fouls, two more balls and a full count. Another foul, then another. Lidge was consistently clocked in the low 90s on the radar gun and Damon was struggling to keep up. “I kept sitting slider, and he kept throwing the fastball. They really don’t teach you to do it that way,” Damon said after the Yankees’ 7-4 victory over the Phillies put them within a game of title No. 27. “But I felt like his slider made me look silly on a couple pitches, so I kept sitting slider and just reacted to the fastball.”

The defending champions need another comeback to keep their title. The Philadelphia Phillies led the National League with 43 come-from-behind wins during the regular season, and they have five more in the postseason. But this one won't be so easy. The New York Yankees took a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series with a 7-4 win in Game 4 on Sunday night. Howard, Werth and Ibanez stranded nine runners combined. “From a good offense standpoint, I look at our team, and we should score on average five runs,” Manuel said. “But on a good night, we should be scoring five to six, seven to eight runs with the kind of offense we’ve got. If we’re scoring two and three runs, sometimes it’s hard to win games. It’s hard for anybody to win games like that.” It’s difficult to win with subpar pitching, too. Lee was masterful and Pedro Martinez was outstanding in Game 2. But Cole Hamels pitched poorly on Saturday night, allowing five runs in 4 1-3 innings.

The New York Yankees are chasing championship No. 27 by throwing their top pitchers on three days' rest. With a chance to clinch the crown, A.J. Burnett is scheduled to start on short rest against Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee in Game 5 of the World Series on Monday night. CC Sabathia went on three days' rest on Sunday night in Game 4, and Andy Pettitte could do the same in Game 6.

Cole Hamels shook his head, muttered an expletive and stood with one hand on his hip a few feet away from the rubber. Hamels used to be a cool customer on the mound. Now, the 25-year-old left-hander sulks when things don't go right. And, not much has gone his way this year. Hamels allowed five runs in 4 1-3 innings and the Philadelphia Phillies lost 8-5 to the Yankees in Game 3 of the World Series since Jim Bouton in 1964. “You don’t anticipate the pitcher swinging at a first-pitch curve, but you learn the hard way,” Hamels said. Hamels was visibly frustrated after giving up the hit to Pettitte, and he pouted as pitching coach Rich Dubee came out for a word. The advice didn’t work. Derek Jeter followed with a bloop single and Johnny Damon lined a two-run double to put the Yankees ahead 5-3. After walking Teixeira again, Hamels was done for the night. He walked off the mound to a mixture of boos and cheers. “I would never question his mental toughness,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I think at times he gets a little upset with himself, but as far as his mental toughness, this guy, he’s mentally tough.”

Guess who showed up for Halloween dressed as sluggers? The New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez, whose double clanked off a television camera in the right-field corner and was ruled a home run in the first instant replay call in World Series history. It changed the game. "I think it woke our offense up a little bit," Rodriguez said after the Yankees rallied for a rain-delayed 8-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night that gave them a 2-1 Series lead. Rodriguez and the rest of those dangerous New York bats finally broke loose to back another postseason win by Andy Pettitte. Game 4 is on Sunday night.

CC Sabathia actually likes starting on three days' rest. "I hate to throw bullpens," the New York Yankees big man said. "I don't have to throw a bullpen when I pitch on three days' rest." Sabathia will throw on short rest for the second time this postseason when he starts Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night against Philadelphia's Joe Blanton. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Game 3 on Saturday night that it’s possible A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte could also come back on short rest, leaving New York with a three-man rotation. Sabathia would pitch a possible Game 7.

Sooner or later, some of these big bats are bound to break loose. Alex Rodriguez is 0 for 8 with six strikeouts in his first World Series. Mark Teixeira's only hit in seven at-bats is a solo homer. Ryan Howard is hitting .222, also with six strikeouts. Maybe a change in venue will get them all going.

Cole Hamels grew up watching Andy Pettitte pitch important playoff games and still tries to imitate his icy glare on the mound. When the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees play Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday night, Hamels will try to beat one of his boyhood heroes. The young kid vs. the old October pro could be another classic pitching matchup. “Andy Pettitte and Tom Glavine, those were the guys I emulated growing up when I was a little kid,” the 25-year-old Hamels said of two fellow left-handers on Friday. “They were always in the playoffs. I always got to watch them. They always pitched big games and they won. Andy Pettitte has been very effective for a long time, and he’s always the kind of guy I’ve looked at and hoped to be one day in his shoes. Now I’m here and I’m going to be able to face him in the World Series and he’s on the Yankees again. So it’s just kind of a big game.”

Tom Ricketts and his family took ownership of the Chicago Cubs and wasted no time making a promise to the team's long-suffering fans: They will bring a World Series title to a team that has gone 101 years without one. "I'll be honest. I think we have a team that can do it next year," Tom Ricketts said without hesitation on Friday at a Wrigley Field news conference.

Phillies utility man Greg Dobbs has returned to Philadelphia before Game 2 of the World Series because he has the flu. Dobbs was a candidate to be the designated hitter against Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett in Thursday night's game, but Matt Stairs got the nod in his absence. Dobbs is 0 for 4 in the postseason.

A.J. Burnett hardly got any attention - until he got the win. Almost an afterthought in his matchup with colorful star Pedro Martinez, Burnett challenged Philadelphia right from the start on Thursday night and gave the New York Yankees the confident pitching performance they desperately needed. Throwing first-pitch strikes to his first 11 batters, Burnett overpowered a dangerous Phillies lineup and led New York to a 3-1 victory that tied the World Series at one game apiece. “After last night, I just wanted to come out and set the tone early and be very aggressive,” he said. “My key was strike one tonight I think. I threw a lot of first-pitch strikes and that allowed me to open up and expand the zone after that.”

Pedro Martinez slowly walked off the mound, listening to the taunts from the Bronx crowd. He looked skyward to acknowledge his late father, then smiled at the screaming hecklers. Looking for one more big win in a spectacular career, Martinez couldn't send the Philadelphia Phillies home with a commanding 2-0 lead over the New York Yankees in the World Series.

More than any slugger on either team, pitching has been the star of this World Series. A.J. Burnett took a page from Cliff Lee's how-to manual and backed by a few key hits and a sharp pickoff throw, New York drew even with the Phillies at one game apiece. Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui helped rally the Yankees with solo homers off familiar foe Pedro Martinez, and Burnett's biting curveball. It’s impossible to hit,” Stairs said. Burnett struck out nine and started his first 11 hitters with strikes, nine of them looking. Burnett kept his control, walking two, one intentional. “A.J.’s breaking ball, it starts in the other batter’s box,” said Ryan Howard, who struck out three times against Burnett and four times in all. “That’s a nasty pitch, nasty today.” Rivera got six outs for his 38th postseason save, his 10th in World Series play. After the Phillies put two on with one out in the eighth, Game 1 star Chase Utley grounded into an inning-ending double play. When Rivera struck out Stairs with a runner on to end it, the Yankees sounded relieved. “If we went in there 0-2, it would have been a tough road for us,” Teixeira said.

Calm down, Cardinal fans: Albert Pujols wants to stay in St. Louis. "The fans know and the Cardinals know that I want to be a Cardinal for my whole career," Pujols told WXOS-FM on Thursday. "I love this city. The way that this city has embraced me and my family." Pujols, who has one year left on his contract plus an option year, raised some eyebrows with his comments during an interview with a Dominican radio station earlier this month. “I’m not desperate to sign a contract extension. I still have one year remaining in my contract for 2010 and a club option for 2011. I leave the rest in God’s hands,” Pujols told CDN 92.5 FM. The two-time NL MVP said he wanted the Cardinals to concentrate on signing Matt Holiday and other free agents first. On Thursday, he reiterated that there is no rush but “if they come tomorrow and say ‘Albert, you know, we want to lock you up,’ hey they know that we’re open to that.”

Kate Hudson was talking to Kurt Russell when she suddenly stopped, leaned forward in a second-row box seat and clasped her hands together. Moments later, she kicked back and shook her head. The mighty A-Rod had struck out - again. A beast in the AL playoffs, Alex Rodriguez has become a bust in his first World Series.

Bud Selig is happy Big Mac is back in baseball. Mark McGwire was hired this week as hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, ending an exile for the former slugger who became notorious for his refusal to answer congressional questions about steroids use. "Over the years I developed affection for players who I get to know and have been good," Selig said on Thursday before Game 2 of the World Series. “When he comes back, you’ll all have a lot of opportunities to talk to him,” Selig told reporters. “The fact that he’s coming back gives you an opportunity you wouldn’t have had.” McGwire got under 25 percent support from voters in his three appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot, well under the 75 percent needed, and some say allegations of steroids use are a reason for his lack of support. Selig has been in contact with team management about McGwire. “I know how badly the Cardinals wanted to do it. I know that Tony La Russa, who has been talking to me about it, has been working with him. I know how close they are,” Selig said. “I know much Bill DeWitt wanted to do it.”

Derek Jeter again found himself the focus of unwanted attention in a season full of honors. This time, though, with a little self-deprecating humor, he didn't need prompting to cherish the moment. The New York Yankees captain was the recipient of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a major league player who combines community service with excellence on the field.

The Orioles have declined their $8 million option on Melvin Mora, allowing Baltimore's longest-tenured player to become eligible for free agency. Mora, 37, came to the Orioles in a 2000 trade with the New York Mets. He played 1,256 games for Baltimore, including 807 at third base - the second-most in franchise history behind Brooks Robinson.

CC Sabathia sounded a bit glum. His World Series debut didn't turn out the way he wanted. The Big Man was outpitched by former Cleveland teammate Cliff Lee, just like on opening day at the new Yankee Stadium. After carrying New York into the championship on his broad back, Sabathia struggled somewhat as the Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 in Wednesday night's opener. “I wish I could stand here and say it was just two pitches, but I was behind pretty much the whole game,” Sabathia said. On a night when the Yankees returned to the World Series for the first time in six years, the pinstriped fans expected greatness, hoping those famous ghosts had made the trip across 161st Street from the old home, where 26 World Series champions resided. Instead, Chase Utley homered twice on badly located 95 mph fastballs that drifted over the heart of the plate. He drove a 3-2 pitch that was supposed to be down and away into the right-field seats in the third inning.

The ho-hum catch that tickled his teammates, the behind-the-back snag that looked so easy. Cliff Lee could have been clowning around with his kids. Hard to believe it was Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, of all places. Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, Chase Utley homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies kept rolling through October, beating New York 6-1 on a misty Wednesday night.

Pedro Martinez has a long history of memorable starts against the New York Yankees. He's pitched against them during the regular season and playoffs, poked fun at their history and called them his daddy. Thursday night, well, that's going to be a whole other level. Martinez is slated to start for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2, adding even more spice to this star-studded World Series.

Even before the first pitch, this World Series seems souped up. Stocked full of honed home run hitters, powerful pitchers and frenzied fans - plus a fast-talking shortstop fond of forecasting future results - the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies generated a Fall Classic of talk ahead of Wednesday night's opener.

An ESPN spokesman says the production assistant whose affair with Steve Phillips led to the baseball analyst's firing is no longer with the sports network. Spokesman Mike Soltys said on Monday that Brooke Hundley doesn't work at ESPN anymore. He declined to say whether she quit or was fired.

Mark McGwire is back in baseball, reunited with Tony La Russa as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach. La Russa agreed to return for a 15th year as manager on Monday with a one-year contract, the first time he hasn't had a multiyear deal with the team. All of his coaches will return except for Hal McRae, who will be replaced by the former star. “Mark is passionate about the game, passionate about the Cardinals,” chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. “Tony thinks he’ll be a great coach, and I think he’s got a lot to offer.” McGwire was not at the news conference at Busch Stadium, but La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak said there will be no effort to shield McGwire from questions about steroids. The team anticipated a telephone news conference with McGwire. “By no means is he trying to hide, and by no means are we trying to hide him,” Mozeliak said. McGwire hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998 and retired with 583 homers and a .263 career average in 2001. He famously refused to answer questions about steroids use during a March 2005 congressional hearing, saying he wasn’t there to talk about the past. Former congressman Tom Davis, who led the committe that held the hearings, told the Daily News of New York that he welcomed the news. “I think he’s entitled to another chance,” Davis told the newspaper. McGwire has received just under 25 percent support from voters in his three appearances on the Hall of Fame ballot, well under the 75 percent needed. La Russa hopes the 46-year-old can use this position to repair a tarnished image. “I’m a big fan of his,” the manager said. “He’s back in uniform and, hopefully, people will see his greatness. But the No. 1 reason he’s here is to coach our hitters.”

All-Stars at most spots, mixed in with MVPs and Cy Young winners. A rich roster, full of World Series success. So how come the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies are such underdogs? Probably because they're facing the team that has defined championship baseball for so long in the New York Yankees.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa took a flight from his West Coast home to St. Louis on Sunday for further talks about his future. There was a report, too, Mark McGwire might join him as a coach. La Russa told the Associated Press in a telephone interview before boarding a plane that discussions were ongoing, and that he was planning to attend a Bruce Springsteen concert later that evening.

As the pitching prize of last offseason, CC Sabathia had options. Sure, the Yankees threw a mountain of money at him. It was names like Jeter, Pettitte, Posada and Rivera that sealed the deal, though. "That's why I signed," Sabathia said of the core group from New York's run of four World Series titles from 1996-2000. “These guys had the experience in these tough games and tough situations and they shined through this postseason.” No time for modesty CC — you shined brightest of all. The imposing ace was picked as the MVP of the AL championship series on Sunday, setting the tone for the Yankees in their six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels with two overpowering outings. “Sabathia is our leader,” said Jorge Posada, who is headed to his sixth World Series. The Yankees wrapped up the ALCS with a 5-2 victory in Game 6, meaning the 28-year-old Sabathia’s next start will be a tantalizing one — he’ll oppose former Cleveland teammate and AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee when New York plays Philadelphia on Wednesday night in the first World Series game at the new Yankee Stadium.

Baseball analyst Steve Phillips was fired by ESPN on Sunday night, less than a week after he admitted having an affair with a production assistant at the cable network. A representative for Phillips also announced the former Mets general manager was entering a treatment facility "to address his personal issues."

They dashed from the dugout and in from the outfield, swarming Alex Rodriguez in a sea of pinstripes only steps from his spot at third base. "I couldn't be more excited," he said. "I feel like a 10-year-old kid." Making it to the World Series for the first time after all those misses will do that to you.

An hour after Game 6 of the AL championship series was postponed, there was Andy Pettitte in a nearly empty Yankee Stadium, drenched in the pouring rain. With his short hair soaked and sweat shirt dripping, the New York Yankees' pitcher played catch in the outfield and ran light sprints through thick puddles on the warming track before finally grabbing some cover in the dugout. Admittedly eager, Pettitte will have to wait for his chance to close out the Los Angeles Angels. Game 6 never started on Saturday night and was rescheduled for 8:20 p.m. on Sunday.

Pedro Martinez stood on the mound in The House That Ruth Built many times during big games, listening to the taunts, jeers and insults from Yankees fans. If New York advances to the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Martinez would love to get the ball again at Yankee Stadium, the new $1.5 billion version. He won’t be intimidated by the crowd, that’s for sure. “To have 60,000 people looking at one guy to deliver that ball and all of them chanting ‘Pay-dro! Pay-dro!’ is a great honor,” Martinez said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “To pitch at Yankee Stadium on one of the greatest stages to play on, it’s an unbelievable feeling.” The defending champion Phillies haven’t set their rotation for the World Series, which starts on Wednesday in New York or Anaheim, Calif. Cliff Lee, who is 2-0 with a sparkling 0.74 ERA in three postseason starts, almost certainly will start the opener. Martinez or Cole Hamels would start Game 2 on the road.

Jed Hoyer was once co-general manager of the Boston Red Sox for 44 days after Theo Epstein walked away from the job. Now Hoyer has a GM gig of his own. The San Diego Padres have hired Hoyer as their new general manager, a person with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement won't be until Monday. Hoyer, who was in Boston’s front office when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, is due in San Diego on Sunday. The 35-year-old Hoyer emerged as a favorite immediately after Padres CEO Jeff Moorad fired Kevin Towers during the last weekend of the regular season.

Stung by a rash of blown calls in the playoffs, Major League Baseball is breaking tradition and sticking with only experienced umpires for the World Series. Longtime crew chiefs Joe West, Dana DeMuth and Gerry Davis, along with Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt will handle the games, three people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press this week.

Nick Swisher had the same cocky grin he wore for much of the season when he walked into the New York Yankees' clubhouse on Friday afternoon. The way he sees it, the end of his postseason slump is right around the corner. "One swing, back on track," he said. Swisher went 0 for 5 in New York's 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in Game 5 of the American League championship series on Thursday night, including a game-ending popup on a full-count pitch from Brian Fuentes with the bases loaded. The rough night dropped Swisher’s postseason average to .103 (3 for 29) with 10 strikeouts, leaving manager Joe Girardi to ponder a lineup change for Saturday night’s Game 6. “We’ll sleep on it and we’ll make a decision what we’re going to do,” Girardi said. “Obviously he has struggled. But Swisher is a good player and Swisher has done a lot of good things for us this year.”

With his long, scraggly blonde hair, scruffy face and slender frame, Jayson Werth looks more like a surfer than a power hitter. It's easy to overlook Werth in Philadelphia's potent lineup. Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins are the former MVPs. Chase Utley is the perennial All-Star. Shane Victorino gets plenty of attention for his energy. But Werth fits right in with all the big boppers on the Phillies. Given the chance to play every day, the right fielder had a breakout year. He’s carried his success into the postseason, helping the defending champions reach the World Series for the second straight year. Werth batted .268 with 36 homers, 99 RBIs and 20 steals, earning a trip to the All-Star game in his first full season as a regular. He’s hitting .281 with five homers and 10 RBIs in nine playoff games. “Ever since he came to Philly, he’s been getting better,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “The numbers that you see, to me he’s more capable. I think he can even do better, because I think he’s getting more consistent in his at-bats and his pitch selection.” Werth’s emergence has made it difficult for opponents to pitch around Howard, who was MVP of the NL championship series against Los Angeles. With Werth batting in the No. 5 spot, Howard has received just one intentional walk in the postseason. Pitching to either slugger has been a mistake. “I like hitting behind Howie, even though it seems like there’s no one on base hitting fifth,” Werth said, referring to Howard’s RBI ability. “But it’s exciting. I get to drive in a lot of runs and be a big part of the lineup right in the middle of it. It’s a lot of fun, especially with this team.”

Chone Figgins and the Los Angeles Angels know they're heading straight into more than one kind of storm, and they can't wait to get wet. Heavy showers in Saturday's New York forecast are threatening to wash out Game 6 of the AL championship series, yet that's a minor drizzle compared to the high-pressure system the Angels created for both themselves and the Yankees.

A.J. Burnett got off to a shaky start in his third playoff game. His final inning wasn't pretty either. The postseason rookie failed to deliver a closeout victory for the New York Yankees in the American League championship series. Burnett got torched for four runs in the first inning on Thursday night against Los Angeles and couldn't hold a Yankees lead when he started the seventh.

Mere moments after the Los Angeles Angels unleashed their leaping, screeching, rambunctious Rally Monkey on the scoreboard, they erased a late deficit and saved their season. Surely that monkey business was just a coincidence. He's just a marketing gimmick, a video star and a plush toy - right? Not to the fans who watched it happen on Thursday night in the latest improbability of an AL championship series game. Not to the Yankees, who were three innings away from tickets to the World Series before the Angels snatched them away with a 7-6 comeback victory that cut New York’s edge to 3-2. “Anything is possible, man,” Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. “Baseball is a crazy game, man. You see some crazy things. Every time you come to the game, you’ve probably been to 1,000 games, and you see something different every year.” Kendry Morales drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the seventh inning as the Angels responded to the Yankees’ six-run comeback moments earlier with a three-run rally of their own, each hit more improbable than the last. When closer Brian Fuentes retired Nick Swisher on a bases-loaded, full-count popup for the final, perilous out, the Angels and their monkey had held on — and evoked the faintest echoes of the Yankees’ last trip to this stage of the postseason, which ended in their unprecedented four-game flameout in 2004.

Ryan Howard and the defending champs are back in the World Series - proving last year was no fluke and looking even more dangerous this time around. Jayson Werth homered twice, Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz also connected and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to win their second straight NL pennant.

ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips acknowledged having an affair with an assistant at the cable network and has taken a leave of absence during the playoffs. Phillips said on Wednesday in a statement released by ESPN that he requested the leave "to address this with my family and to avoid any unnecessary distractions through the balance of the baseball playoffs."

Ryan Howard added another piece of hardware with three familiar letters to his trophy case. Howard was picked MVP of the NL championship series after helping the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies return to the World Series by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. The big slugger already had the 2006 NL MVP and 2005 NL Rookie of the Year awards on his resume. Now, he’s got an October memento, too. “It’s definitely something special,” Howard said. “Right now I’m going to go celebrate, enjoy myself a little bit.”

For the second straight offseason, Albert Pujols will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. The St. Louis Cardinals said on Tuesday, in a brief news release, that the two-time NL MVP will undergo a debridement procedure - which could be used to shave bone spurs - on Wednesday morning in Birmingham, Ala.

Ned Colletti agreed to a long-term extension on Tuesday to stay on as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under him, the team has reached the postseason in three of his four seasons, the first time a Dodgers GM has accomplished that feat. Colletti joins New York's Brian Cashman and Boston's Theo Epstein in doing so among active GMs. Los Angeles trails the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the best-of-seven NL championship series, with Game 5 on Wednesday. During Colletti’s tenure, the Dodgers’ .539 winning percentage is the second-highest in the NL behind the Phillies’ .554. Los Angeles had the best record in the NL this season for the first time since 1983 and won its second consecutive West title. “The stability and continuity that extending his contract provides will further help us achieve the goal of being a consistent winner,” owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. Colletti has added Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Casey Blake, Vicente Padilla, George Sherill, Ronnie Belliard and Jon Garland as key contributors during the past two years. His first trade as GM brought Andre Ethier to the Dodgers. He also retained All-Star pitchers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton, as well as Matt Kemp, James Loney, Russell Martin, Clayton Kershaw and Hong-Chih Kuo. “I’m very proud of what our baseball operations staff has accomplished over the last four years and I’m grateful for the support of the fans who have truly made me feel at home,” Colletti said in the statement.

Alex Rodriguez limited the celebration of his latest playoff homer to a brisk trot and a few high-fives. CC Sabathia barely even pumped a fist while mowing down the Angels for eight innings. Even while they shined at a pivotal point in the AL championship series, the slugger and the workhorse starter seemed determined to stick to business.

Phillies slugger Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer on Monday night in the NL championship series, tying Lou Gehrig's major league record of eight straight postseason games with at least one RBI. Howard connected against Dodgers left-hander Randy Wolf in the first inning of Game 4 and has driven in a run in Philadelphia's eight playoff games this year.

Jimmy Rollins curled up to protect himself in the pile and took some playful punches from his teammates. One more win and the Fightin' Phils will have another World Series trip to celebrate. Rollins lined a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning off All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Monday night for a 3-1 lead in the NL championship series. The defending champions can earn their second consecutive pennant with a victory at home in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Cole Hamels, last year’s NLCS and World Series MVP, will take the mound for the Phillies. Clayton Kershaw or Vicente Padilla will start for Los Angeles. “This is big,” Rollins said. “The pressure’s all on them.” Trailing 4-3, the Phillies started their rally with one out in the ninth when pinch-hitter Matt Stairs walked on four pitches against Broxton. Stairs hit a two-run homer off Broxton in Game 4 of the NLCS last year at Dodger Stadium. Broxton hit Carlos Ruiz with a pitch, but pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs looped a soft liner to third for the second out. Rollins, just 3 for 18 in the series to that point, ripped a 99 mph fastball to right-center and the ball rolled to the wall. Andre Ethier’s throw toward the infield was high and off line, and Ruiz slid home without a play. Rollins pointed in the air as he rounded second and got mobbed by teammates at third base. Even Jamie Moyer, who just had surgery on his lower abdomen, limped out and joined the celebration.

When Derek Jeter led off Game 3 with a homer into the bullpen, this AL championship series seemed uncomplicated. Power hitting and steady pitching appeared to be driving New York to the World Series. About 261 minutes, 14 pitchers, six homers and several big blunders later, a winning hit by a backup catcher left only one thing certain in this cuckoo series: The Los Angeles Angels won't be beaten easily.

The Mariners' experiment of having the first Japanese catcher in the major leagues has ended two years early. Kenji Johjima opted out of the final two seasons and $15.8 million of his contract, allowing him to sign with a Japanese team. Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said on Monday the decision came somewhat unexpectedly over the weekend, and that it was solely Johjima's.

With runners on first and second in the 12th inning early on Sunday, the "A-Rod!" chants started swelling at Yankee Stadium. Only thing is, All-Star Mark Teixeira was still at-bat. My how things have changed for Alex Rodriguez. In postseasons past, New York Yankees fans were merciless as Rodriguez foundered. Now they’re fawning over him — even while an MVP candidate is taking his swings. So far this October belongs to Rodriguez, and the Yankees have ridden their troubled slugger within two wins from his first trip to the World Series — and New York’s first since 2003. “I know you guys are probably looking for something profound,” Rodriguez said. “I mean, I’m just in a good place. I’m seeing the ball and I’m hitting it. I mean, that’s about it.” Rodriguez’s latest feat that got girlfriend Kate Hudson cheering: a tying homer in the 11th inning in Game 2 of the American League championship series. The Yankees went on to win the wet, sloppy game, beating the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 in 13 innings to take a two-game lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is on Monday in sunny Anaheim with the Yankees’ Andy Pettitte and the Angels’ Jered Weaver getting the start.

Torii Hunter grabbed his hat, tied his spikes and headed out of Los Angeles' home clubhouse into the abundant sunshine and cool breezes of Angel Stadium. "Now I can work on my tan again," the Angels' unofficial captain said with a grin on Sunday. His Angels are undeniably in trouble after two nights of horrible weather and messier baseball in New York, where the Yankees took a 2-0 lead over their error-prone opponents in the AL championship series. Yet the Angels say they’re far from finished going into Game 3 on Monday, insisting they can warm back up with the fundamentally sound play that got them here after a difficult season. “We’ve got to calm it down and have some fun,” Hunter said. “You’ve got to have amnesia, and you’ve got to let the past go. … (Against the Yankees) you can try to play too much. You can let that history get in your mind, and their payroll, and you really try to do too much. We have to block that out and play our game.”

Cliff Lee sprinted off the mound after throwing his final pitch, nearly breaking a sweat for the first time. Heck, he almost outhustled the Phillies' newest speed demon, Ryan Howard. With their ace and slugger leading the way, the defending World Series champions got back their swagger. Lee dominated the Dodgers, Howard and Jayson Werth provided the big swings early and Philadelphia cruised past Los Angeles 11-0 on Sunday night for a 2-1 lead in the NL championship series. “We expect to win when we come to the ballpark, and that’s kind of who they are,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. Lee provided another brilliant playoff start, striking out 10 and allowing only three hits in eight innings. “Cliff Lee, what can I say about him? He was absolutely outstanding,” Manuel said.

Chase Utley makes two costly throwing errors, and suddenly he's being mentioned with Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch. Utley's fielding gaffes were the talk of the town when the Philadelphia Phillies returned home on Saturday after splitting the first two games of the NL championship series at Los Angeles.

Alex Rodriguez is putting all those playoff failures behind him. The Los Angeles Angels are turning the AL championship series into a defensive debacle. Coming through under pressure once again, Rodriguez hit a tying homer in the 11th inning and the New York Yankees edged Los Angeles 4-3 on Saturday night on Maicer Izturis' error in the 13th for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series shifts to Anaheim, Calif., for Game 3 on Monday. Jered Weaver is scheduled to pitch for the Angels against Andy Pettitte, with a forecast of 73 degrees and partly cloudy skies. The warm weather will allow players to ditch the ski masks and hoods some have sported under their baseball caps in New York. It was 47 degrees at gametime, 2 degrees warmer than Friday night, with 15 mph winds gusting to 23 mph. “Right now we are all in sleep mode. Hit that plane, get some sleep,” Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher said. “We’ve just got to go out there and get two more. One thing about going out to Anaheim is we don’t have to bring our long sleeves.”

Maicer Izturis' throw zipped by second base, the ball careening out of control like a wet bar of soap, and headed toward somewhere near third. Chone Figgins fumbled it as the winning run scored. Typical for the Los Angeles Angels in this AL championship series gone awry. Something was fundamentally wrong on this trip to New York for this fundamentally sound team. “I think if I let my hair grow out,” center fielder Torii Hunter said, “I think I would have grays everywhere.” When Figgins finally got a hit, Brian Fuentes couldn’t put the New York Yankees away. Erick Aybar played defense again as if the ball was toxic. Now the Angels are down two games in the best-of-seven AL championship series following Saturday night’s excruciating 4-3, 13-inning loss. Another night, another defeat. Six in a row in the ALCS. At least now the slumping Angels get to head back West, where maybe a dramatic change in the weather can help them get back on track.

Noted singer Ronan Tynan's scheduled appearance for "God Bless America" at the AL championship series opener was canceled by the New York Yankees after a woman complained to the team that he made an anti-Semitic remark. Yankees spokeswoman Alice McGillion said on Friday a woman sent an e-mail to a team official a day earlier claiming the Irish tenor made the remark while the woman was being shown an apartment in the building where Tynan lives. Tynan confirmed the remark to the team official but said he was joking, McGillion said. “There are no plans for him to sing,” McGillion said.

A grounder off a fielder's glove. A bunt that slipped by two players. The Los Angeles Dodgers' latest postseason rally began in the weirdest, wackiest way. Another throwing error by Chase Utley, a pinch-hit single and two walks also were part of the Dodgers' crazy eighth inning that produced a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, tying the NL championship series at one each.

CC Sabathia heated up as the night went on, throwing fastballs past the Los Angeles Angels and pumping his fist for emphasis. On a blustery night more suited to bobsleds than baseballs, Sabathia pitched eight superb innings of four-hit ball to win his second straight postseason start, and the New York Yankees took advantage of a rare sloppy game by the Angels to win the AL championship series.

Grady Little infamously stuck with Pedro Martinez a bit too long. Six years later, did Charlie Manuel yank Martinez a bit too soon in a crucial playoff moment? Another manager's late-inning postseason decision on Martinez is sure to be a hot topic of discussion after the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2-1 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the NL championship series on Friday. “I didn’t ask for anything like (staying in),” Martinez said. “If they asked me to go back, yes, I would have, but they didn’t, and that’s it.” In his first postseason start since 2004, Martinez stifled the Dodgers for seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and overwhelming Los Angeles’ lineup with control and guile. Martinez threw just 87 pitches in those seven innings and didn’t walk a batter, but Manuel had seen enough, worrying about Pedro’s pitch count and the stifling heat at Dodger Stadium. Manuel elected to pinch hit for him with Carlos Ruiz on first base and one out in a 1-0 game. “He was gone,” Manuel said of Martinez. “I mean, I think he was spent. We got seven innings out of him. When the game started, I was looking anywhere from 70 to 85 pitches, maybe 90 at the most. … He did a tremendous job, and he took it actually farther than I anticipated when the game started. To me, Pedro was done.” The move backfired spectacularly, and the defending champions wasted a golden opportunity to take a two-game lead in the series. Martinez felt strong and fresh, but the veteran knew better than to argue with Manuel when he was pulled for pinch-hitter Ben Francisco, who grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Mark Teixeira remembers calling Torii Hunter last winter. "After I signed with the Yankees, I said, 'You know, good luck to you guys. Hopefully, we'll see you in the ALCS,"' Teixeira recalled. And then he repeated the message when Hunter reached first base during the first series between the teams in May.

Brad Lidge has regained that nasty slider. Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz are stroking big hits. Cole Hamels is winning postseason games without his best stuff. Boy, this is looking real familiar for the Philadelphia Phillies. Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run homers, reliever Ryan Madson got a key out and Lidge finished off the Phillies' 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1.

Slugger Albert Pujols says the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in extending his contract during the winter. Pujols told a Dominican radio station on Wednesday that he is in no rush to make a decision. He still has a year left on his contract for 2010 and a club option for 2011. Pujols signed a seven-year contract in 2003 worth $100 million, but says money is not a priority for his next contract.

The San Francisco Giants will not renew hitting coach Carney Lansford's contract after scoring the fifth fewest runs in the majors this season. The team announced on Wednesday that Lansford won't be retained after his contract expires at the end of the month. Lansford spent two seasons as hitting coach.

Cole Hamels is going into Game 1 of the National League championship series with a clear head. The Philadelphia left-hander was gone in a hurry after being pinch-hit in Game 2 of last week's division series against Colorado when his wife went into labor. She gave birth to their first child, a boy. “Now I can really focus on baseball, even though I was focusing on it to begin with,” he said on Wednesday, a day before opening the league championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Getting that out of the way is definitely a big stress relief because everything turned out all right.” Hamels threw 82 pitches last Thursday and when he was told his wife had gone into labor, he left the ballpark in the front seat of a police car. “Best cop ride I had ever been a part of when I wasn’t in the back,” he said. “That was pretty exciting on the streets of Philadelphia.”

If John Smoltz had picked the other finalist for his services in August, he could be pitching in the National League championship series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 42-year-old right-hander said he has zero regrets after signing with the team the Dodgers swept in the division series. The St. Louis Cardinals plugged Smoltz into their rotation and are considering bringing him back with a one-year deal that could allow the pitcher to exit with a season that lives up to a career destined for the Hall of Fame. “St. Louis was just a better personal fit for me,” Smoltz said. “At the time Los Angeles had a bigger stronghold on the playoffs, but I saw what St. Louis was putting together. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. One more run, gosh, that would be great.” The Cardinals believe Smoltz has plenty left. “He definitely wants to pitch,” manager Tony La Russa said. “I definitely think he can pitch. It’s going to be a matter of economics and you never get everything you want, but I speak personally that there’s a lot to the organizational view that John Smoltz was impressive.” Smoltz figures he’ll be on the back burner at the start of free agency while the big-ticket players like Matt Holliday grab the headlines.

The Phillies and Dodgers are back in the National League championship series for the second straight year, making them the closest thing the NL has to a couple of dominant teams. They are the first repeat teams since Houston and St. Louis squared off in 2004 and '05, and only the third repeaters since Atlanta and Pittsburgh met in 1991 and '92.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes will undergo surgery on his injured right leg on Thursday in Dallas. Reyes is scheduled for a cleanup of some scar tissue remaining from a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee. The Mets have said Reyes will not need an operation to repair his torn right hamstring. Reyes batted .279 with two homers, 15 RBIs and 11 steals in 36 games this season.

Mark Teixeira and Bobby Abreu have plenty in common. Smooth swings, sharp eyes, opposite-field power. And something else now, too. As the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels prepare to meet for the American League pennant, both sluggers can easily recall what life was like in the other dugout. "That team over there, just like us, expects to win every game they play," said Teixeira, who signed with New York for $180 million over eight years. Abreu, despite a durable track record of steady production with the Phillies and Yankees, had to wait and wait just to land a job. Seeking a multiyear deal, he filed for free agency following a solid season with New York. But the economic downturn and a crowded free-agent class left the 35-year-old outfielder with few attractive suitors. Right before spring training, Abreu joined the Angels on a $5 million, one-year contract that’s turned into quite a bargain. He earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for reaching 650 plate appearances. “I was shocked that Bobby Abreu was available — and I was shocked that we got him for $5 million, too,” Angels teammate Torii Hunter said. “It was a blessing. I can tell you that, man. We’re thankful to have him over here. I was excited in spring training because I know what he can do.” What Abreu did was hit .293 with 15 homers, 103 RBIs, 94 walks and 30 stolen bases. He also batted .354 with runners in scoring position and reached 100 RBIs and 30 steals for the fifth time. In a first-round playoff sweep of Boston, Abreu went 5 for 9 (.556) with two doubles, four walks and four runs scored. That performance improved his postseason average to .357.

The Boston Red Sox are among several major league teams lining up to woo Japanese high school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. The 18-year-old lefthander, who throws a fastball that has been clocked as high as 96 mph, is the latest Japanese amateur pitcher to draw interest from major leagues teams. Kikuchi will hold talks with the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants.

John Lackey will start in Friday night's Game 1 of the AL championship series against CC Sabathia and the Yankees, getting the nod from manager Mike Scioscia before the Angels traveled to New York on Wednesday. Lackey pitched 7 1-3 innings to lead Los Angeles to a 5-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the division series.

Brad Lidge was at the center of the celebrations, mobbed on the mound and then later bathed in bone-chilling ice water inside the clubhouse. Those recent ninth-inning meltdowns? A fading memory for the Philadelphia Phillies closer. Lidge was struggling badly going into the NL division series against the Colorado Rockies, blowing a league-high 11 save chances during the regular season. “That group battles you over there.” And wins in all sorts of ways, not just with the long ball. The Phillies didn’t have their first multihomer game until Game 4, when Shane Victorino and Werth went deep. Until then, they found other avenues. Like catching a break on Sunday when Chase Utley reached on a ninth-inning infield single that should have been ruled a foul ball because it grazed him in the batter’s box. The Phillies parlayed that into a sacrifice fly by Howard in a 6-5 win. Plate umpire Jerry Meals admitted after the game that he missed the call. But Rockies manager Jim Tracy refused to harp on the play, saying there were other factors — such as an inability to come through in the clutch on offense — that led to Colorado’s demise in the game and the series.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have been planning for the 2010 season for a while now, even with their own contract situations unresolved. Both knew their futures with the club would be handled in time. Now, they know they're staying in San Francisco. Bochy and Sabean each received two-year contract extensions with a club option on Tuesday after meeting with managing.

Joe Torre says he doesn't plan to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers after his contract expires. "I have one year on my contract and I don't anticipate it being more than that," he said on Tuesday, two days before the Dodgers open the NLCS against Philadelphia. However, he noted, "I've said that before and my wife doesn't believe me at all." The 69-year-old manager is in the middle of a three-year deal he signed nearly two years ago after 12 seasons guiding the New York Yankees. The Dodgers are 179-145 with two consecutive NL West titles under Torre. His 83 postseason victories are more than any other manager in major league history, and his 14 consecutive playoff appearances as a manager are tied with Atlanta’s Bobby Cox (1991-2005). General manager Ned Colletti said on Tuesday that he’ll sit down with Torre to discuss his future after the season ends.

The sale of the Chicago Cubs moved closer on Tuesday as a bankruptcy court judge said the team can go to the family of billionaire Joe Ricketts in a $845 million deal. The judge had already cleared Tribune Co. to sell the team and Wrigley Field. But he gave his approval again on Tuesday because the Cubs filed separately for Chapter 11 protection on Monday.

The Yankees might go with a three-man rotation against the Los Angeles Angels in the AL championship series. CC Sabathia is scheduled to start in Friday night's opener, with A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte as New York's other two primary starters. The shortened rotation would allow manager Joe Girardi to keep Joba Chamberlain and Chad Gaudin in the bullpen.” Sabathia made his final three regular-season starts for Milwaukee on three days’ rest in 2008, then started again on short rest in the playoffs against Philadelphia. He lasted just 3 2-3 innings and lost to the Phillies. New York limited him to 230 innings during the regular season — down from 253 the previous year. He will start the opener against the Angels on eight days’ rest, another factor the Yankees think will enable him to be effective in Game 4. “Not getting him to 250 innings during the regular season allows us to consider that,” Girardi said. “We’ve told him, though, to concentrate on Game 1. That’s the most important game, and we’ll go from there.”

The Chicago Cubs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, a step that will allow their owner to sell the baseball team in an $845 million deal. The filing in Wilmington, Del., was anticipated and is expected to lead to a brief stay in Chapter 11 for the Cubs. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday in front of the judge who has been handling the bankruptcy of the Cubs' owner, Tribune Co.

Chase Utley ducked near second base. The rest of the Philadelphia Phillies never flinched. Ryan Howard hit a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning and scored on Jayson Werth's single as Philadelphia rallied past the Colorado Rockies 5-4 in Game 4 on Monday to reach the NL championship series.

The Astros will interview 10 candidates over the next week to become the team's next manager, including former skipper Phil Garner. Houston fired manager Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21. Third base coach Dave Clark was promoted to interim manager for the final two weeks and the team said on Monday that Clark will be the first man interviewed for the full-time position. The other candidates include: minor league coordinator Al Pedrique, who became third base coach when Clark was promoted; former Brewers manager Ned Yost, San Diego hitting coach Randy Ready, former Arizona manager Bob Melvin, former Washington manager Manny Acta and current Boston Red Sox coaches Brad Mills and Tim Bogar. The Astros have also been granted permission to interview Philadelphia bench coach Pete Mackanin when the Phillies complete postseason play. Clark and Pedrique will lead off the interviews on Wednesday. The remaining candidates will be interviewed between Thursday and Monday.

Ace closer Jonathan Papelbon couldn't save Boston's season. The intimidating right-hander had never allowed a run in any of his 26 postseason innings before Sunday. But he gave up three in the ninth, capped by Vladimir Guerrero's single. And that rally came after Papelbon inherited a pair of runners from Billy Wagner in the eighth and let them score. All that added up to a 7-6 comeback win for the Los Angeles Angels and a sweep of their AL division series. “My team fights to put me in that situation and you do it all season long and you’ve done it time and time again in the preseason,” Papelbon said with a halting voice and a blank stare, “but I just wasn’t able to come out ahead this time.” It was a grim ending for a pitcher who had 38 saves and a 1.85 ERA in the regular season and threw the final pitch of Boston’s sweep of Colorado in the 2007 World Series. And a stunning finish to a Red Sox season that seemed headed for at least one more game on Monday night. They led 5-2 when Papelbon came in from the bullpen with two outs and runners at second and third in the eighth. Soon, it was 5-4 after Juan Rivera singled in two runs. Papelbon ended the inning by picking off pinch runner Reggie Willits. Then Papelbon retired the first two batters in the ninth and had an 0-2 count on Erick Aybar. One more strike and there would be at least one more game. But Papelbon never got another out. “Your team fights. It puts you in that situation to call upon you and you let ‘em down,” said Papelbon, wearing a dark blue shirt with the words “RESCUE SQUAD” on the back. “It’s a feeling that there’s a lot of weight on your shoulders because your team expects you to pull through and preserve that win for you and when you don’t its definitely not a good feeling.” That feeling built quickly after Papelbon set down Maicer Izturis on a foulout and pinch hitter Gary Matthews Jr. on a fly ball. Then Aybar singled. “When it’s 0-2, two outs, you start thinking about playing tomorrow,” Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay said. “Then one thing le ads to another.” And another and another. Aybar took second on defensive indifference. Chone Figgins walked. Bobby Abreu doubled in a run. Torii Hunter was walked intentionally, loading the bases. “It’s tough to walk the bases loaded,” Boston manager Terry Francona said, “but Pap throws strikes and he had had a lot of success against Guerrero.” Guerrero was only 2 for 12 against Papelbon in the regular season and postseason before the at-bat. Hunter was 3 for 8 with a home run. Guerrero then lined a first-pitch fastball for a go-ahead, two-run single after driving in one run in his previous 19 postseason games. Hideki Okajima relieved for the Red Sox after the hit. Papelbon threw 16 pitches, all fastballs, not counting the intentional walk. His teammates came to his defense. “I don’t think anybody in here looks at it as Pap’s fault,” Bay said. “No one’s perfect.” “He is the best closer in the game,” said Clay Buchholz, Sunday’s starter. “Everybody has a bad day. I’d give him the ball every time I pitch.” Papelbon appreciated the support but knew he failed. “That’s the kind of teammates that I have,” he said, “but, at the same time, I definitely feel like a lot of this is on me.”

Alex Rodriguez finally delivered the playoff performance he needed and his talent demanded, powering the New York Yankees back to the AL championship series. During this first-round sweep of the Twins, Rodriguez's performance was nothing like all those oh-fers of Octobers past. Rodriguez and Jorge Posada hit seventh-inning home runs to spoil Carl Pavano's opportunity to frustrate New Yorkers one more time, and the Yankees advanced to their first ALCS in five years with a 4-1 victory over Minnesota on Sunday night. Rodriguez got off to a rocky start this year when he admitted in spring training to using steroids when he was with the Texas Rangers. Then he had hip surgery and missed the first month of the season as the Yankees stumbled out of the gate. But baseball’s highest-paid player returned with a more positive outlook, and New York surged to the top of the AL East. Still, the third baseman entered this postseason in an 0-for-27 slide with runners on base dating to Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. “I knew that I couldn’t change all the 0-for-4s, 0-for-5s and all the guys I left on base,” said Rodriguez, who went 5 for 11 with two homers and six RBIs in these three games. “I’m content right now, both on and off the field.” Mariano Rivera got the last four outs in the final baseball game at the Metrodome, preserving Andy Pettitte’s record-tying 15th career postseason win. The Yankees will host the Los Angeles Angels in Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday night after missing the playoffs altogether in 2008.

Between frosty breaths on the mound, Brad Lidge warmed to the challenge and erased a season of frustration. Philadelphia's beleaguered closer stranded runners at first and second on a bitterly cold Sunday night when he retired Troy Tulowitzki on a flyball for the final out, preserving the Phillies' 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series.

The Minnesota Twins ran themselves right out of the Metrodome. Nick Punto's baserunning blunder cost the Twins a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning, and the New York Yankees eliminated Minnesota with a 4-1 victory on Sunday night in their division series that shut the doors for good on professional baseball in the raucous, quirky ballpark. After the Yankees took their celebration into the clubhouse, the Twins’ grounds crew began digging up home plate for delivery to their new open-air stadium and closer Joe Nathan scooped up a handful of dirt from the mound. “Just something to bring to the new stadium and sprinkle that on the new mound, bring a little history into the new place,” Nathan said.

Torii Hunter emerged from the visitors' clubhouse at Fenway Park to spray champagne over the fans and family gathered there. Erick Aybar did him one better, handing over bottles of bubbly to those who came from California to see the Los Angeles Angels go for the sweep. History gave no reason to hope for such a celebration quietly filed out of the ballpark for the last time in 2009, having seen the wild-card Red Sox beaten. “The season doesn’t wind down. It just comes to a crashing halt,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta says he's been contacted by the Houston Astros about their managerial opening. "To interview with the Astros is very exciting," Acta told Houston television station KRIV on Friday. Acta did not say when he would be meeting with club officials.

Ron Gardenhire was still miffed about a fair ball ruled foul when the Minnesota Twins manager was asked whether Major League Baseball should extend the use of instant replay. "I can't make that decision for them," he said. "We had six umpires out there. I think, right, six? Six umpires." Now count the blown calls, missed balls and baserunning pratfalls this week. Oh, and a snowout. Hardly a flying start to the postseason. More like Playoff Follies. Matt Holliday dropping a fly ball in the twilight at Dodger Stadium. Brett Gardner and Carlos Gomez getting lost on the bags. A bunch of outfielders watching hits bounce past them. Bad luck? Bad planning? Maybe a bit of postseason pressure? “Because it is the playoffs, we pay more attention to it. It gets magnified and you see it over and over and over,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre said on Saturday. “Travel around 162 games and there’s some things that make you scratch your head and shock you and surprise you and all that stuff. When it happens in the playoffs, it takes on so much more meaning. Even though we’re in the game, when we see certain things happen, it just startles us somewhat. But I don’t think it’s any more unusual than during the season,” he said.

Mark DeRosa brought the intensity of football to the baseball playoffs. The approach made sense because the St. Louis Cardinals' third baseman was the starting quarterback at Penn from 1993-95. He threw for 360 yards in the 1994 game against Cornell, the eighth on Penn's all-time list for a single game, and is fourth on the Quakers' career passing list. He left after his junior year after being drafted by the Braves. “I always take a football mentality,” DeRosa said on Saturday before Game 3 of the series against the Dodgers. “I want it more than the next guy. That’s what I tell myself every time I go to the plate in big situations.” At least in the playoffs. During the regular season DeRosa has to regulate the highs and lows. “I’d be lying if I said I did that for 162 games,” he said. “You can’t. But for the postseason you’d better do that or you’ll find yourself at home.”

The Minnesota Twins have taken third baseman Matt Tolbert off their division series roster due to a strained left oblique muscle. Tolbert was injured on a check swing during a second-inning at-bat in Game 2 against the New York Yankees. He remained in the game on Friday night and hit what should have been an RBI single with two outs in the fourth inning, but baserunner Carlos Gomez was tagged out.

The Boston Red Sox had history on their side going into their AL division series with the Los Angeles Angels. Now they need hits. The four the Red Sox managed in each of their two losses probably won't be enough in Game 3 on Sunday. And they'll probably need more than one run - their total in those two games - to avoid a sweep. The passionate fans at Fenway Park will shout for their players but can’t swing the bats for them. The team with five 20-home run hitters faces two options: start hitting or start packing their bags. “I don’t think the panic button or any more undue pressure is really going to be that beneficial,” said Jason Bay, who hit 36 homers this season but has just one hit in the postseason. “Guys know where we’re at.”

Carl Pavano called those four injury-riddled, tension-filled seasons in New York a "black period" in his career. Considering the size of his contract and his complete lack of production, Pavano in pinstripes became one of the biggest free-agent busts in baseball history. The right-hander has started to correct that wrong turn this year with a decent performance for Cleveland.

Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals got a boost from a couple of solid midseason acquisitions and wrapped up the NL Central with a week left in the regular season. They never regained their edge. St. Louis was the first National League team to clinch a playoff spot and the first to be eliminated in the postseason.

Phillies left-hander Jamie Moyer is recovering at a Philadelphia hospital from a blood infection. Moyer's wife, Karen, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Saturday that her 46-year-old husband is fine now after an infection following abdominal surgery. Moyer was expected to stay another night at the hospital.

Unemployed in August and a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers in October. Once Vicente Padilla got out of the first inning, he slammed the door on the St. Louis Cardinals' season. The second-chance pitcher kept Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday quiet in a 5-1 victory on Saturday night that gave Los Angeles a second straight trip to the National League championship series. They await the winner of the Philadelphia-Colorado series that is even at a game apiece. The Phillies beat Los Angeles in the NLSC last season in five games. Pujols and Holliday were a combined 2 for 8 with a late RBI for the Cardinals, who never recharged after becoming the first National League team to clinch a division title. Counting the postseason St. Louis was 1-9 after wrapping up the NL Central, and was swept for the first time in the division series or NLCS play and only for the third time overall in the postseason. This team and the 1928 team that got swept in the World Series by the Yankees are the only teams in franchise history to fail to win a game in the postseason. “It’s hard to believe we’re thinking about next year,” Ryan Ludwick said. “It just seems a long way away.” Pujols, 3 for 10 with an RBI and no extra-base hits in the series, left Busch Stadium without speaking to reporters. Holliday was 2 for 12 with a solo homer. “For some reason, our offense, we couldn’t get anything going,” Holliday said. “We had some good at-bats here or there but as far as stringing anything together we had a hard time.” Padilla, designated for assignment by the Rangers in early August, was 4-0 the final month with the Dodgers before shutting down the Cardinals on four hits over seven innings in his first career postseason appearance. After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning he was dominant, retiring 19 of 21 hitters against a team he last faced in 2003. “Big lineup,” Padilla said through an interpreter. “I just tried to make the pitches that I knew I was capable of throwing.”

The cold and snow in Colorado scrapped plans for Pedro Martinez's first postseason start in five years. Game 3 of the Philadelphia-Colorado playoff series was postponed a day because of weather on Saturday better suited for cross country skiing. About an hour before the scheduled start it was 24 degrees. The delay prompted a pitching switch by the Phillies, with left-hander J.A. Happ going to the mound Sunday instead of the 37-year-old Martinez. The Rockies are sticking with Jason Hammel in the best-of-five series tied at a game apiece. Moreover, the snowout allowed Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to go with an all-lefty rotation against a Rockies team that sports potent left-handed hitters in Todd Helton, Ian Stewart, Seth Smith, Carlos Gonzalez, Brad Hawpe and Jason Giambi. “I thought it was a tremendous way of putting all of our left-handed pitchers on them,” said Manuel, who will go with Game 1 winner Cliff Lee on Monday against Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez. That will allow Phillies ace Cole Hamels to pitch on regular rest Tuesday back in Philadelphia if a Game 5 is necessary. The Rockies went 27-26 against left-handed starters during the season and 65-44 against righties. “I like left-handed pitchers against this team,” Manuel said. The Rockies hit .253 against lefties, .264 against righties.

Barry Bonds handed out T-shirts, posed for pictures and romped with young patients on Friday as the UCSF Medical Center opened a playroom bearing his name. The home run king said he hoped the Barry Bonds Family Foundation Playroom would provide children a place to relax while staying at the hospital. Bonds paid about $250,000 for the renovation, according to Roxanne Fernandes, executive director of UCSF Children’s Hospital. Squeals could be heard as kids burst through the door while a smiling Bonds looked on. Other patients, some of them in wheelchairs, slowly made their way inside and curiously checked out the new surroundings, which include a flat-screen television and audio system, an arts and crafts table and other toys. Bonds’ donation included a fund that will maintain the toys, purchase new ones and pay for the staff needed to oversee patients in the room for the next four years. “He really has been a hero for us,” Fernandes said. “He kept saying, ‘I want to do more that will touch all these kids.’ We would tell him about various programs we had, and he walked by this room and said, ‘I want to make that playroom an amazing place for kids.”’ Bonds has donated time and money to the hospital in the past, hosting golf tournaments and visiting patients and their families. Bonds last played in 2007 with the San Francisco Giants. He did not speak to reporters, but addressed the crowd assembled on a deck outside of the playroom. “It’s more of a blessing for them to have a place to go to feel normal for a moment … to have time with their family, for whatever that time may be,” Bonds said.

A masked fan ejected from a Phillies playoff game is charged with stealing three World Series rings from a ballpark office. The Phillies have now had four such rings stolen since winning the title last year. Police say 22-year-old Matthew Mervine of Berlin, N.J., was videotaped taking the rings on Thursday.

The lack of offense from David Ortiz to start the season has returned to haunt him in the playoffs. His Boston Red Sox teammates are looking just as punchless. And it's proving costly, with Boston facing elimination after losing 4-1 to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. The club that has owned the Angels in the playoffs most of this decade heads east trailing 0-2 in the best-of-5 AL series. Game 3 is on Sunday at Fenway Park. “We’re walking a dangerous line here,” said third baseman Mike Lowell, who was hitless in four at-bats. “We’ve got to swing the bats much better. We’ve run into good pitching, but we’ve had chances to put some good at-bats together. I don’t think our game plan is wrong, we’re just not executing.”

Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez stood together as Yankee Stadium roared. Teixeira had the chills. Rodriguez had a smile that said it all - a satisfied look after putting years of postseason failure behind him. Teixeira hit a leadoff drive in the 11th inning to give New York a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night and a 2-0 lead in their AL playoff series. Game 2 was full of missed chances, plus a big miss by an umpire. The first-year Yankees star connected against Jose Mijares, hitting a drive that skipped off the top of the left-field wall and into the rollicking, sellout crowd. He tossed aside his batting helmet as he approached home before being mobbed by his teammates. “I don’t think there’s anything better in sports,” Teixeira said. “Best place to play in the world.” Rodriguez hit a tying, two-run homer off Joe Nathan in the ninth after a leadoff single by Teixeira. Rodriguez also had his third two-out RBI single of the series as the Yankees patched together their first 2-0 postseason start since 1999 against Texas. Before this series, the enigmatic slugger was hitless in his previous 18 playoff at-bats with runners in scoring position. “This whole year I’m playing with no expectations,” said Rodriguez, who missed the first month of the season after hip surgery. “I’m going out and having fun doing the best that I can.” Minnesota was hurt by a blown call by left-field umpire Phil Cuzzi in the top of the 11th. Joe Mauer started the inning with a drive down the line that appeared to go off Melky Cabrera’s glove before clearly landing about a foot inside the line and bouncing into the stands. Cuzzi said it was foul — it’s been a tough week for umpires, with several missed calls — and Mauer ended up with a single when he should have had a ground-rule double. “You can’t see at all from the dugout, but I think we all know the ball was fair by a long ways,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Umpire Phil Cuzzi blew a call. Then the Minnesota Twins missed a chance to make it right. Cuzzi called Joe Mauer's fly down the left-field line leading off the 11th inning a foul, though the umpires later admitted it was the wrong call. "We went in (postgame) and we looked at it, and it's a clear indication an incorrect decision was made," crew chief Tim Tschida said on Friday night. “There’s a guy who’s sitting in the umpire’s room who feels horrible.” Mauer later reached on a single, the first of three straight hits with no outs, and the Twins had every reason to believe they would pull off another remarkable win. Instead, the team that needed an inspired September run to secure the AL Central title in a one-game playoff failed three straight times against reliever Dave Robertson, who was making his first playoff appearance. Mark Teixeira then led off the bottom of the inning with a homer and the Yankees had a 4-3 victory and a 2-0 lead in the first round of the AL playoffs.

Avoiding Albert Pujols seems to be working for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are one win away from a first-round playoff sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. That strategy isn't about to change heading into Game 3 on Saturday night. "To me, Albert is just out there in a class by himself," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said on Friday.

Pedro Martinez is getting the ball and the call in another big game. Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel chose the aging right-hander over J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton, who made cameo appearances out of the bullpen on Thursday, to face the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series on Saturday night - weather permitting.

Carlos Gomez is one of the most energetic players on the pesky Minnesota Twins. He's also one of the biggest challenges for manager Ron Gardenhire. "He's one of those guys you just love, because his enthusiasm for the game and how much fun he has, it just kind of flows around everybody else," Gardenhire said. “But like I said, when you see him out there in center field covering all that ground and then some of the offensive things that he can do that other people can’t do, that’s why the guy is in the big leagues.”

Jered Weaver followed in John Lackey's day-old footsteps throughout the night, all the way to his final triumphant walk off the Angel Stadium mound. He even waved his cap at the standing, cheering crowd with nearly the same sweep of his arm. With Weaver picking up right where Lackey left off for the Los Angeles Angels, not even Josh Beckett could keep the Boston Red Sox off the brink of playoff elimination. Weaver yielded two hits while dominating Boston into the eighth inning, and Maicer Izturis drove home the tiebreaking run in Los Angeles’ 4-1 victory over the Red Sox on Friday night, extending the Angels’ first-round lead to 2-0. Erick Aybar followed Izturis’ RBI single with a two-run triple during the Angels’ two-out rally in the seventh to break up a stellar pitching duel between Weaver and Beckett, Boston’s ace and most reliable playoff pitcher. “These two guys were matching each other pitch for pitch,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “I thought we did a really good job of staying focused, settling down. … The only way we’re going to beat good pitching is to pitch with them, and we were able to do that the first couple of nights.”

Right when Torii Hunter's three-run homer hit the rock pile beyond center field at Angel Stadium, two bursts of fireworks shot up from the artificial boulders. The moment hardly needed the pyrotechnic punctuation. After several years of playoff frustrations against the Boston Red Sox, the Angels finally have a breakthrough.

By the time Cole Hamels rushed off to be with his pregnant wife, his streak of postseason dominance was long over. Yorvit Torrealba hit a two-run homer, Aaron Cook pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Colorado Rockies beat Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Thursday to even their NL playoff series at a game apiece.

Pedro Martinez wants the ball in another big game. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will consider giving the three-time Cy Young Award winner the start in Game 3. Martinez was the only pitcher out of the three possible starting candidates that did not pitch on Thursday in a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies that evened the best-of-five series at a game apiece.

A sinking line drive sailed through the chilly evening air toward Matt Holliday. All he needed to do was make the catch, and St. Louis would have a series-tying victory. Instead, the ball smacked him in the gut and dropped to the grass - and the Cardinals never recovered. Holliday's crucial error with two outs in the ninth inning led to a two-run rally that gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3-2 victory on Thursday and put the Cardinals on the brink of playoff elimination. “I didn’t see the ball,” Holliday said. “Obviously, I can catch a ball that’s hit right at me. It’s very difficult to swallow. We had a chance to win the game. It was unfortunate that it happened when it did.” Ex-Cardinal Ronnie Belliard and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta came through with RBI singles off All-Star closer Ryan Franklin, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. They can close it out with a sweep in Game 3 on Saturday in St. Louis.

Winning the World Series last year didn't exactly make the Philadelphia Phillies prime time. Their first two games this postseason are afternoon starts at Citizens Bank Park, leaving fans scrambling to get out of work and players adjusting their body clocks.

The Detroit Tigers earned an unwanted place in baseball history, becoming the first team to miss out on the playoffs after having a three-game lead with four games left. "We have nobody to blame but ourselves for not wrapping it up last week at home," Jim Leyland said on Wednesday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

General manager Mark Shapiro already is narrowing his search for the next Cleveland Indians manager. Shapiro said on Wednesday he is getting closer to a list of "eight to 10" candidates to replace Eric Wedge, who was fired last week. He hopes to have a new manager by the end of the World Series, but that timetable could be delayed if a leading candidate is on a team currently in the playoffs. Boston pitching coach John Farrell, who served as Indians farm director before taking the Red Sox job after the 2006 season, is among names mentioned as a possible successor. “We have made no calls to any teams for permission to talk (to their employees),” Shapiro said. “We have made calls to specific guys, but are not limited just to them. Previous experience is helpful, but not a necessity, though it would take a very special guy to be considered without major-league experience.”

A Florida girl who grabbed a historic home run ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard has her prize back after suing the team for its return. The July home run against the Florida Marlins was Howard's 200th. He achieved that milestone in the fewest games in major league history.

Derek Jeter got a big hit, just as he did in Octobers past at the famed ballpark across the street. CC Sabathia joined in the postseason fun. Even Alex Rodriguez broke out of his playoff rut. It was like old times in the first postseason game at the new Yankee Stadium, with New York beating these tired Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday night in the opener of their AL playoff series.

One strike away from a shutout, Cliff Lee stepped off the mound, took a deep breath and allowed himself to enjoy the moment. Quite a debut for a postseason rookie. Lee dominated the Colorado Rockies, tossing a six-hitter, and the Philadelphia Phillies began their World Series title defense with a 5-1 victory in their playoff opener on Wednesday.

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have picked the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals as favorites to meet in the World Series and think New York has an overwhelming chance to win its first title since 2000. The Yankees are 3-2 favorites to win the championship despite having to beat three teams to do it, oddsmaker Tony Sinisi of Las Vegas Sports Consultants said. “The pieces to the puzzle are in place,” Sinisi said. “Certainly there’s a randomness to playoff baseball but the drop-off from the Yankees to any other team that you might like is significant.” The Twins, which beat Detroit on Tuesday night for the AL Central title, are a bigger underdog at 25-1 to win it all — given the first-round matchup with New York — than before the season started. St. Louis is considered the National League favorite at 9-2 odds for the series, but not by much ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies (11-2) and Los Angeles Dodgers (6-1). Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which recommends betting lines for 90 percent of casinos in Nevada, set the Colorado Rockies’ odds to win the World Series at 14-1.

Albert Pujols spent his biggest moments of the St. Louis Cardinals' playoff opener with his bat sitting idly on his shoulder, thanks to some canny managing by Joe Torre. And with St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter decidedly off his game, Pujols and the rest of the Cardinals wasted a staggering number of chances to help him out. St. Louis stranded 14 runners in Los Angeles’ 5-3 victory on Wednesday night, repeatedly failing to come through against the Dodgers’ six pitchers. “We definitely had our opportunities, and we couldn’t take advantage of them,” said Ryan Ludwick, who left the bases loaded in the fourth inning — right after hitting a drive that landed about an inch shy of becoming an extra-base hit. “We’ve just got to keep battling. Carp didn’t pitch that bad, in my opinion. We just didn’t score enough runs for him.” While both teams missed numerous opportunities in a game that set the division series record for total runners left on base by the sixth inning, St. Louis’ failures were more untimely and more thoroughly distributed throughout the lineup. A different Cardinals player ended each of the first seven innings, all but once with runners on base. In addition to Ludwick’s failure, Yadier Molina, Brendan Ryan, Mark DeRosa and pinch-hitter Troy Glaus each stranded two runners apiece. Pujols, the NL leader in homers and runs scored in his latest MVP-caliber season, went 0 for 3. He was walked intentionally in the first and fourth innings by Torre, who chose to pitch to slugger Matt Holliday with multiple runners on base. Both times, the decision worked splendidly for the Dodgers and their veteran manager, who claimed his strategy was born from fear. “Albert is very special,” Torre said. “You see him every single day. He just scares the hell out of me. … He’s lethal, and he’s so calm about it, too. That’s what irritates the opposition.” Pujols received 44 intentional walks in the regular season, twice as many as second-place Adrian Gonzalez of San Diego. Few of those passes worked as well as Torre’s decision s.

After the Minnesota Twins lost Game 1 of the AL playoffs, manager Ron Gardenhire was really looking forward to Thursday. Not because his Twins would have a chance to catch up with the New York Yankees. Because they would have a chance to catch up on sleep. "We get a day off tomorrow. Which is needed right now," Gardenhire said after Wednesday night's 7-2 loss at Yankee Stadium. “A few guys come in and get some treatment. And pitchers, a couple of guys need to toss. But I think a day off for the most part would be pretty nice. Take a relaxing day tomorrow and then come back and have some good energy and go from there,” he said.

Scoring early against St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter gave the Los Angeles Dodgers the shot of confidence they needed. Then their bullpen came in and closed out the Cardinals. Randy Wolf survived a shaky first inning before five relievers combined to give up one run in the Dodgers' 5-3 victory on Wednesday night in an NL playoff opener full of missed chances for both teams’ sluggers. The Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez went 1 for 4 with double and a walk, while Albert Pujols was 0 for 3 with two intentional walks for the NL Central champions. “In the playoffs, everything’s different, so we’re just happy that we got the win,” Ramirez said. “But remember, tomorrow’s another day, so let’s see what happens. We still got two more to go.” Game 2 is on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, with Clayton Kershaw, another playoff rookie, starting for Los Angeles against 19-game winner Adam Wainwright. Only once this season when Carpenter and Wainwright started back-to-back did St. Louis lose both games.

The Detroit Tigers' brush with the AL Central title was fleeting. Brandon Inge insists that a pitch grazed his jersey with the bases loaded in the 12th inning against Minnesota on Tuesday night, which would have scored the go-ahead run in this back-and-forth tiebreaker. Home plate umpire Randy Marsh thought otherwise, ruling that Bobby Keppel's pitch did not hit Inge. “It hit my shirt. Period,” Inge insisted after Detroit’s 6-5, 12-inning loss to the Twins that cost them a spot in the playoffs. “I want to hit as much as the next guy, but when it’s that important … It hit my shirt. I don’t lie about things like that.”

Phillies left-handed reliever J.C. Romero will have surgery on Wednesday to repair the flexor tendon in his left forearm and needs five to six months to recover. Romero went 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 21 games for the NL East champions. He earned two wins in Philadelphia's World Series victory over Tampa Bay last year.

The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race - and a thrilling tiebreaker - that didn't want to end. Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.

Sixteen-game winner Jorge De La Rosa will miss Colorado's first-round playoff series against Philadelphia because of an injured left groin. The left-hander left his last start on Saturday night after hurting himself. He was scheduled to test his groin in a bullpen session on Tuesday, but that was canceled.

Detroit star Miguel Cabrera apologized to his teammates for being drunk last weekend while the Tigers were trying to clinch the AL Central title, then delivered two big hits in Tuesday night's tiebreaker loss to Minnesota. The slumping Cabrera had a double his first time up, then hit a two-run homer that put the Tigers ahead 3-0 in the third inning. But it wasn’t quite enough. He had two groundouts and a walk the rest of the way and was thrown out at home plate by Twins second baseman Nick Punto in the 12th inning of Detroit’s 6-5 loss that gave Minnesota the division championship. “He made a great play,” Cabrera said. “If he doesn’t make a good throw, I’m safe, no problem. I don’t know what to say right now.”

All those big boppers and two hitter-friendly ballparks sure make the Phillies-Rockies series look like a slugfest. Not so fast. When Colorado swept Philadelphia in the 2007 NL division series, the teams combined for only 24 runs in three games. Now, each club boasts even stronger pitching.

Randy Wolf has seen a lot in his 11-year career, just never the playoffs. He's finally getting a chance in the stadium where he watched the Los Angeles Dodgers as a kid. The 33-year-old left-hander proved to be the most consistent starter for the repeat NL West champions, although he quickly rejects the label of staff ace.

The New York Yankees knew when they'd be playing before they knew who. Then after 12 innings of an AL Central tiebreaker, they learned it would be the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees could have waited until one hour after that game to pick when they wanted to begin, but made the call about an hour before the first pitch. They also used closer Joe Nathan during Tuesday night’s epic. “The only advantage it gives you is that they probably wouldn’t ask him to get more than three outs on Wednesday,” Girardi said. With the schedule they chose, the Yankees will get a day off between Games 1 and 2. The other AL playoff series between Boston and the Los Angeles Angels will now start on Thursday night in Anaheim, a development that surprised neither team. New York was expected to choose the earlier schedule, forcing the Twins into a quick turnaround from Tuesday’s tiebreaker. “We thought we would do this all along,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who planned his rotation in anticipation of a Thursday start.

Just like they did in 2007, the Colorado Rockies open the playoffs in Philadelphia as the hottest team in the National League. Only this time, they might be without the hottest pitcher in baseball. Lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who went 16-3 after losing his first six decisions, will test his tight left groin in a bullpen session onTuesday in Philadelphia in an experiment that will go a long way toward determining the rest of the Rockies’ rotation. De La Rosa reported feeling better on Monday but everything hinges on his side session in Philly. “He was in here at our ballpark earlier today and he was treated. He feels better today,” manager Jim Tracy told The Associated Press on his way to the airport on Monday. “The bullpen session tomorrow will tell us whether he has a chance to be a part of the divisional series.” De La Rosa, whose 16 wins since June 1 leads the majors, left his last start on Saturday night after hurting himself on his 40th pitch, ending his duel with Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw with the NL West title on the line. De La Rosa’s injury left the Rockies’ rotation in limbo. Tracy is committing only to young ace Ubaldo Jimenez, with his darting 100 mph fastball, starting Game 1 on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Aaron Cook, who has yielded one run in 13 innings since returning from a sore shoulder that sidelined him for more than a month, will likely get the nod for Game 2 on Thursday, with Jason Hammel or Jason Marquis starting Game 3 in Denver if De La Rosa can’t. At least the Rockies have depth — they’re the only team in the majors to have all five starters reach double-digit wins.

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was drunk - three times above Michigan's legal limit for driving, according to police - between two key games over the weekend as his team was trying to win the American League Central title. The 26-year-old Venezuelan first baseman was taken to a police station on Saturday after arriving at his suburban Detroit home at 5 a.m.

With nearly a month to go in the regular season, Albert Pujols had enough home runs to win his first title. Just enough, as it turned out. It's been 79 at-bats, the longest drought of his storied career, since the St. Louis Cardinals' star went deep for Nos. 46 and 47 at Milwaukee on Sept. 9. Pujols doesn't want to hear about it, and insists he's 100 percent heading into the playoffs.

The Minnesota Twins seem to think that 162 regular-season games aren't enough. The Twins will host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in a tiebreaker for the American League Central title and a trip the playoffs. It is the second straight season that the Twins have needed a 163rd game to finish the season, a first in league history. One year after losing a 1-0 heartbreaker in Chicago to the White Sox in a one-game playoff, the Twins will get the homefield advantage this time around as they look to cap their remarkable September rally. “It’s like deja vu,” second baseman Nick Punto said. “Last year, same thing. A lot of these guys have been through this, though. I think that’s the best part about it. That breeds confidence just knowing you’ve been in a position like this before. It’s fun. We’re having fun.”

All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman agreed on Monday to a one-year, $8 million contract to return to the Milwaukee Brewers next season. A person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that it includes a mutual option for 2011 that could be worth up to an additional $8.5 million. The person requested anonymity because the contract had not been formally announced.

Troy Glaus will be on the St. Louis Cardinals' roster for their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers despite missing most of the season while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. After a two-hour workout on Monday that stressed fundamentals, manager Tony La Russa said Glaus showed him enough in the last few weeks to think he could be helpful off the bench. But the manager said Mark DeRosa will be his starting third baseman. Glaus hit .172 with two RBIs in 29 at-bats in 14 games, with two doubles and two RBIs. Infielder Khalil Greene, twice sidelined by social anxiety disorder and limited to 18 at-bats after August, is not on the roster. Greene batted .200 with six homers and 24 RBIs and lost his job after Brendan Ryan emerged at shortstop during his absence.

Stephen Strasburg didn't put a lot of expectations on himself for his first time out as a professional pitcher. He just wanted to get out there and throw again. "It's something I love to do," the 21-year-old said on Monday after making his first outing for the Washington Nationals in an Instructional League game against Detroit. “It’s been a little tough.” The right-hander allowed one run and three hits in two innings, striking out two. He threw 19 of 25 pitches for strikes in his first game action since signing a record $15.1 million, four-year contract as the No. 1 pick in June’s amateur draft. Strasburg had not thrown competitively since his final game for San Diego State in the NCAA Regionals on May 29. He reported to Viera last month and has been working on building up arm strength. He threw mostly fastballs on Monday, mixing in an occasional curveball and sinker. “I was just letting my arm get back into throwing,” he said. “You don’t want to go out there and rush it and immediately try to punch everybody out. I was out there pitching to contact, getting the feel of facing a batter. I didn’t put any expectations on myself. Hopefully, next time out, I’m going to crank it up a little bit.”

Clay Buchholz has one week to think about his next start. Or, even better, not to think about it. Manager Terry Francona said Buchholz was still in line to follow Jon Lester and Josh Beckett in the rotation for the first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Angels, even after the Red Sox right-hander lasted just three innings in a 12-7 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. “That’s what you want: You want to be able to go out there in a make-or-break situation,” said Buchholz, who has given up 13 runs in eight innings in his last two starts. “I’d rather it be now than a week from now. I’ll take care of the little things I need to between now and then.” J.D. Drew homered twice, and Jed Lowrie hit his first career grand slam in the regular-season finale. Dustin Pedroia and Alex Gonzalez also homered for Boston and Michael Bowden (1-1) pitched 2 2-3 innings in relief for the win. Lowrie’s homer made it 12-6 in the sixth inning, but it cost David Ortiz — hitting behind the Boston infielder — his best chance at reaching 100 RBIs for the sixth time in seven years. Ortiz, who was batting .185 with one homer and 18 RBIs on June 1, finished with a .238 average, 28 homers and 99 RBIs for the season. “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Ortiz said. “It’s a hard game. Sometimes in bad situations you get to learn something; I think I learned a lot this year.” The loss was the last in Cleveland for manager Eric Wedge, who was fired on Wednesday with six games left in the season.

Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer on his first swing of the season and smacked a grand slam on his last. The New York Yankees slugger was pretty impressive in between, too. Setting what he hopes will be the tone for a successful playoff run, Rodriguez homered twice and drove in an AL-record seven runs in a 10-run sixth inning on Sunday.

The chase for the AL Central championship is once again going to extra innings. Trying to save their seasons, the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins both won on Sunday, leaving them all even for the division lead and forcing a one-game tiebreaker. They'll meet on Tuesday at 5 p.m. EDT at the Metrodome in what could be the final baseball game at the Homer Hankie haven. Detroit rookie Rick Porcello (14-9) will start against Scott Baker (15-9). “It’s going to be fun. I’m sure Minnesota is going to be rocking,” Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson said.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha will be back for a second season in 2010. General manager Doug Melvin announced before Sunday's season finale that Macha was being retained for the second season of the two-year contract he signed last October. The club holds an option for 2011. "I'm fine with what happened," Macha said. “I told Doug to do whatever he thinks is best.” The Brewers began on Sunday at 79-82, dragged down by injuries after making the playoffs last year. Outfielder Corey Hart (appendicitis) had an extended absence and second baseman Rickie Weeks was lost for the season with a wrist injury in May. “He said, 'It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t do this job for the money or the security of it. I manage because I enjoy it and I want to win ballgames,”’ Melvin said.

J.P. Ricciardi is out as the Toronto Blue Jays' general manager. As for embattled manager Cito Gaston, he isn't going anywhere. The Blue Jays fired Ricciardi on Saturday, ending an eight-year tenure marked by an inability to get past the Yankees and Red Sox and into the playoffs.

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain is scheduled to work in relief on Sunday and appears headed to the bullpen for the first round of the playoffs. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Saturday that Chamberlain will pitch an inning or face a couple batters in the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. Girardi said Chamberlain is “in the mix” for a bullpen spot for the opening round.

The Detroit Tigers' once-cozy cushion in the AL Central is long gone. If things do not go Detroit's way on the final scheduled day, its season will be over. The Tigers dropped into a first-place tie with Minnesota, looking listless on Saturday night in a 5-1 loss to Freddy Garcia and the Chicago White Sox.

Nick Punto's voice was hoarse and he strained to describe how the Minnesota Twins have rallied from seven games down in less than a month to push the AL Central race to the final day. "It's been Game 7 for the last two weeks," Punto croaked. And, thanks in large part to Michael Cuddyer, for one more day. Cuddyer hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, lifting the Twins to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday that moved them into a tie with first-place Detroit. “This is what it’s all about,” Cuddyer said. “When you break spring training, you hope to experience this. All 162 games are going to count. You can’t go wrong with that.” The Tigers lost 5-1 to the Chicago White Sox. Sunday is the final day of the regular season. Joe Mauer delivered his biggest hit in an MVP-caliber season, a two-out single off Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke that broke a scoreless tie in the sixth. Delmon Young added a three-run double later in the inning for a 4-0 lead. After the Twins bullpen let the Royals tie it, Cuddyer hit his 31st homer of the season off Dusty Hughes (0-2).

The Dodgers' magic number for clinching the NL West is down to zero - finally. After a season-worst five-game losing streak, they came through with one game left in the regular season and beat the stubborn Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Saturday night with a five-run seventh triggered by run scoring hits from pinch-hitters Ronnie Belliard and by Mark Lorett

Despite losing their third straight game, the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies still gained something on Saturday. Anibal Sanchez pitched seven strong innings to lead the Florida Marlins to a 4-3 victory over the Phillies, who clinched home-field advantage in the first round with St. Louis' loss.

A late slump has assured the St. Louis Cardinals that they'll open the postseason on the road. Still to be decided is whether Kyle Lohse or John Smoltz will get the final spot in the NL Central champions' playoff rotation. The Cardinals lost for the fifth time in six games since clinching the division, 5-4 to Ryan Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

A day after the Colorado Rockies clinched at least a wild-card spot, Ubaldo Jimenez gave them a chance to win the NL West. Jimenez struck out 10 over six innings, leading the streaking Rockies to a 4-3 victory on Friday night over the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. With both teams already assured playoff slots, the Rockies cut the Dodgers' lead to one game.

Jake Peavy delivered the kind of performance the Detroit Tigers desperately need. Peavy delayed Detroit's chance to move closer to the AL Central title, pitching the Chicago White Sox past the slumping Tigers 8-0 on Friday night. Detroit's lead was cut to one game by Minnesota, which beat Kansas City 10-7. Both teams have two games left. The Tigers, who couldn’t take advantage of an opportunity on Thursday to win the division with a win over Minnesota, heard a smattering of boos during their series opener against the White Sox. “For the last day or so, they’ve been disappointed,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “Most people when they’re disappointed, they express their disappointment in the form of boos. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Kevin Towers, the longest-tenured general manager in the major leagues, has been fired by the San Diego Padres, a person familiar with the situation said on Friday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club hadn't made an announcement. The Padres said only that CEO Jeff Moorad will address the media on Saturday afternoon. Moorad didn’t return a phone call, e-mail and text message seeking comment. Towers, in his 14th season as Padres GM, told The Associated Press in an e-mail that he can’t comment on his situation. He is under contract through next season at approximately $2 million. Under Towers, the Padres won four NL West titles and reached the 1998 World Series, where they were swept by the Yankees.

The Minnesota Twins have wanted out of the Metrodome for years. They're playing as if they want to stay a little longer. Jeff Manship's first major league win was well-timed for the Twins, who got a grand slam from Delmon Young and hung on for a 10-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night that cut Detroit's AL Central lead to one game.

It's a Rocktober redux for the Colorado Rockies, who are back in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. "It stings," Troy Tulowitzki said as he squinted away the tears that were flushing the champagne out of his eyes. "But I've never forgotten '07 and it's great to experience it again."

If the Boston Red Sox had any worries about Jon Lester, they certainly don't now. Lester showed no ill effects from his injury last week and was splendid in a final tuneup for the playoffs, pitching into the seventh inning and leading the Red Sox to a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.

Those pesky Twins forced the Detroit Tigers to keep their champagne on ice. Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched Minnesota to a testy 8-3 victory on Thursday, preventing the Tigers from clinching their first division title in 22 years. Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and moved within two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play. The Twins and Tigers are fighting for baseball’s final playoff spot. The race won’t be decided until this weekend — or early next week if a tiebreaker is necessary. Minnesota has clinched the season series and would host an extra game if needed, likely to be on Tuesday because the Vikings play an NFL game Monday night at the Metrodome against the Green Bay Packers.

Chris Carpenter took it upon himself to get the Cardinals back on track. The St. Louis ace hit a grand slam and set a team record for pitchers by driving in six runs as the Cardinals rolled to a 13-0 rout of the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. "That was one of the funner days I've ever had," Carpenter said. “I think the only other home run I hit had to be in high school. I was a really good hitter, I guess, but I grew up in New Hampshire, and we didn’t see many 90 mph fastballs.” Carpenter became the first Cardinals pitcher since 1920, when RBIs became an official statistic, to have six in one game. Bob Gibson drove in five runs during a 13-1 win over the New York Mets on July 26, 1973. “He had a Bob Gibson type of day,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He beat us pitching and hitting. That grand slam kind of put us behind the 8-ball.” And left La Russa joking about it after the game. “The first thing I’m going to do is call Gibson and tell him what a real athlete is,” he said. “That was the last thing I expected.” La Russa also snapped a tie with Hall of Fame New York Giants manager John McGraw for second place on the career list of games managed. La Russa is at 4,770, behind only Connie Mack’s 7,755. The Cardinals scored their most runs in a game since setting their season high in a 14-7 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 4. The win was their biggest of the season, surpassing a 10-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 28. “They beat us up pretty good,” Baker said. “That’s the first time we’ve been beat up that bad in a while. They had every kind of hit imaginable.”

Ricky Nolasco knew he was stacking up strikeouts. He didn't realize he was closing in on a major league record. Nolasco struck out nine straight Atlanta Braves and set a Marlins record with 16 Ks - the most by a major league pitcher in more than two years - during Florida's 5-4 victory on Wednesday night.

Magglio Ordonez is supposed to help the Detroit Tigers win titles. Eddie Bonine is a bit of a surprise. Ordonez hit a three-run double, Bonine lasted five innings after a shaky start and the Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2 on Wednesday night to move closer to the AL Central title. "You need everyone on your team to step up right now, and that's what happened tonight," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “Bonine was fantastic — we got more from him than we could have asked — and the offense gave us the runs he needed.” The Tigers increased their lead to three games over the Twins, and can clinch their first division title since 1987 with a victory in Thursday afternoon’s series finale.

Players doused each other with champagne and beer in the clubhouse and on the field. Fans partied in the stands. Manager Charlie Manuel enjoyed the celebration from his office. The Philadelphia Phillies won another NL East championship. Now they can rest and prepare to defend their World Series title. "I'll celebrate when we get to the big one," Manuel said.

Eric Wedge lost his job and kept his uniform. Wedge was fired on Wednesday as manager of the Cleveland Indians, who are in the final days of a terrible season that began with high hopes. Despite being told he would not be back next season, Wedge will manage the last six games of his seventh year with Cleveland.

The Colorado Rockies are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot. So close, in fact, that the postseason aroma hangs in the air. "Anytime you're this close, you can smell it," Troy Tulowitzki said. "You want to get it done." Tulowitzki, Todd Helton and Carlos Gonzalez each hit a two-run homer, and the Rockies moved closer to a playoff spot with a 10-6 win over the Milwaukee.

The Detroit Tigers were down after absorbing a difficult loss in the opener of their critical day-night doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. Their ace took over from there. Justin Verlander kept the Tigers on top in the AL Central, pitching eight innings in a 6-5 victory on Tuesday night that restored their two-game lead over the scrappy Twins. “After the first game, this win was huge,” Verlander acknowledged. Indeed. It wasn’t easy, but it never is against the pesky Twins. “They showed whey they’re so good,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. Minnesota briefly pulled within one game of the Tigers when it won the doubleheader opener 3-2 in 10 innings. Brandon Lyon (6-5) set up Orlando Cabrera’s go-ahead single with a pair of wild pitches. If the Tigers can beat the Twins at home on Wednesday and Thursday, they’ll win their first division title since 1987. If Detroit doesn’t take the next two games of the series, the AL Central won’t be decided until the weekend — or early next week — with each team closing the regular season with a three-game set. Minnesota has clinched the season series and would host the tiebreaker if one is necessary, likely to be on Tuesday because Brett Favre and the Vikings are playing Green Bay on Monday night at the Metrodome.

A pregame pep talk from their manager helped the Philadelphia Phillies get back on track. Pedro Feliz hit a grand slam, J.A. Happ pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Phillies moved closer toward clinching their third straight NL East title with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night with Pedro Martinez on the mound. If so, many starters can get some much-needed rest. “That’s the light at the end of the tunnel,” Howard said. “Rest is always good.” Lee’s broken-bat single plated a run in the fifth to cut it to 5-2. The Astros just missed tying the game when the next batter, Pence, flied out to deep center with two runners on. Happ fanned Keppinger to end the inning. “I felt a lot better than the results,” Happ said.

Behind a closed clubhouse door, the Boston Red Sox celebrated their sixth playoff berth in seven years in the usual way: with spraying beer, commemorative hats and T-shirts, and the customary promises that they will play better once the postseason begins. "I like our chances," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, popping out to the concourse to address a few dozen reporters who waited three hours after the Red Sox lost to Toronto for the Rangers’ loss that eliminated Boston’s last remaining pursuer. “It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you’re in.” The Blue Jays hit six homers — three for Adam Lind — to beat the Red Sox 8-7 on Tuesday night and send them to their fifth consecutive loss. But Boston backed into the AL wild-card berth when the Angels beat the Rangers 5-2 and eliminated Texas from the race. “We tried to do it on the field,” third baseman Mike Lowell said. “It’s a little different, but I don’t think that takes anything away from what we’ve done.”

The Angels soaked the jersey in beer, champagne and tears, holding Nick Adenhart's No. 34 high in the middle of the celebration he missed. Los Angeles is headed back to the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years, and the Angels intend to go with the memory of their late teammate alongside them.

John Danks had a warm feeling on a windy, rainy night and his Chicago White Sox out of the playoff race. Danks (13-10) pitched his first career complete game for his first win in more than a month as Chicago beat the Cleveland Indians 6-1 on Monday night. "It's the first time I've thrown a pitch in a ninth inning, so it was fun," Danks said after ending the game with his seventh strikeout for a three-hitter in his first complete game at any level since being drafted in 2003 by Texas. “They had such strict pitch counts (in the minors) with Texas and I haven’t been efficient enough to do it in the majors.” Gordon Beckham drove in three runs to help Chicago to its third win in four games following a stretch of seven losses in eight games. Cleveland came in one-half game ahead of last-place Kansas City in the AL Central after sweeping a three-game series from Baltimore. The Indians, trying to avoid a last-place finish for the first time since going a franchise-worst 57-101 in 1991, are 6-20 in September. A year ago, they went 32-17 down the stretch to finish at .500—giving hope to fans that the Indians could return to contention after winning the division in 2007.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel had hoped he could rest some players and set up his postseason rotation in the final week of the regular season. Not anymore. Yorman Bazardo pitched 5 2-3 effective innings against the team that cut him in spring training, and helped the Houston Astros beat Philadelphia 8-2 on Monday night, preventing the Phillies from reducing their magic number of three for their third straight division title. “We’ve got to win games to make the playoffs,” Manuel said. “We’re not playing good baseball and it’s time to start.” If the Phillies somehow don’t finish first, it will be worse than their infamous collapse in 1964. That year, Philadelphia held a 6 1/2-game lead with 12 to play only to blow the NL pennant by dropping 10 straight. “I’ve got a lot of faith in our guys,” Manuel said. “I’m betting on them.” Miguel Tejada had four hits and Jeff Keppinger had three hits and two RBIs for Houston, which is 5-0 against the Phillies this season.

The scheduled game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers has been postponed because of rain. Locked in a tight race for the AL Central title, the teams were supposed to begin a four-game series on Monday night that could decide the division crown. Instead, the opener will be made up on Tuesday as part of a day-night doubleheader.

The banner in right field summed up how the Atlanta Braves feel about this final week of the season. "Believe." Jair Jurrjens pitched five-hit ball over seven innings, Chipper Jones homered and the Braves beat Florida 4-0 on Monday night for their 15th win in 17 games, a stretch that has lifted them into playoff contention with six games left in the regular season. Atlanta closed within two games of idle Colorado in the NL wild-card race and moved to four behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East. The Phillies lost 8-2 at home to Houston. “We’ve got a chance to do it,” said manager Bobby Cox, whose team hasn’t made the playoffs since the last of its record 14 straight division titles in 2005. “You can’t get away from it. We’re watching the scoreboard every inning. But really, you can only worry about your own team.” The Braves haven’t caused Cox any worries lately. They won their seventh straight, matching a season high set at the start of this run, behind another dominant performance by Jurrjens (14-10). The right-hander won his fourth in a row and has gone at least seven innings in seven straight starts, allowing only eight earned runs in 50 2-3 innings (a 1.42 ERA) during that stretch. Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano finished off the five-hitter with one inning apiece for Atlanta’s 10th shutout of the season.

The Baltimore Orioles are in a late-season free-fall. Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and pinch-hitter Willy Aybar had one of four Tampa Bay homers as the Rays extended the Orioles' losing streak to 11 games with a 7-6 victory on Monday night. "We're a young team and guys are learning on the job," Orioles pitcher Mark Hendrickson said.

This couldn't-get-any-easier clinching is becoming very hard for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They'll be playing one of the NL's best clubs in another week, yet they suddenly can't beat the league's worst. Former Dodgers prospect Andy LaRoche homered twice, doubled twice and singled, driving in six runs as the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates again prevented Los Angeles from winning.

The Boston Red Sox got drenched on Monday night, but not with champagne. On a night when they came to the ballpark with a chance to clinch a playoff berth, the Red Sox scratched ace Josh Beckett from his scheduled start and watched substitute Michael Bowden spot the Blue Jays seven runs in the first three innings en route to Toronto's rain-shortened 11-5 victory.

Florida Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson is set to start on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves after being scratched from his last appearance because of the flu. Johnson (15) was replaced about two hours before his scheduled Sunday start against the New York Mets. Florida lost 4-0 and dropped five games behind Colorado in the NL wild card with six games left. Johnson can still get two more starts despite his illness. He would be able to come back against Philadelphia on Sunday, the final game of the regular season. The team doctor told Johnson he doesn’t have swine flu. “I’m very relieved,” Johnson said before Monday’s series opener against the Braves. “My whole body was just aching. That whole flu thing. I’m glad I’m over the worst part of it.” Johnson is two-thirds of an inning from reaching 200 for the season. “I want to get to that 200-inning mark and I just want to be out there for my team,” he said.

Ramiro Pena finished his first big league home run trot and was greeted with the silent treatment in the New York dugout. Several seconds later, Jorge Posada led the charge of teammates who mobbed the smiling rookie near the bat rack. Nothing but good times for the Yankees a night after they clinched their first AL East crown since 2006, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-2 with a lineup full of backups on Monday night. “I went downstairs, and I went ‘Oh man,”’ Pena said on entering the dugout to the first-homer tradition. “It was a pretty good feeling.” Robinson Cano capped a five-run seventh inning with a grand slam and Chad Gaudin made a strong case for a spot on the postseason roster as New York improved to 45 games over .500 (101-56) for first time since ending 2002 with a 103-58 record. Just the kind of game manager Joe Girardi was hoping for when he gave most of his regulars the night off for the opener of a three-game series against the Royals, the last AL squad to visit the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium. “This is what you have in mind. You want the pitchers to take every pitch, defenders to take every play seriously and every at-bat seriously and our guys did that,” Girardi said. “They might smile a little bit more right now but we smiled a lot during the course of the season.”

The Minnesota Twins somehow missed Zack Greinke the first 14 times they faced the Kansas City Royals this season. Now, they get him twice in a week - it couldn't have come at a worse time. Greinke worked through several jams in seven innings to bolster his Cy Young Award chances and put a dent in Minnesota's postseason hopes, helping the Royals win their home finale 4-1 on Sunday. With a chance to pull within one game of AL Central-leading Detroit, Minnesota couldn’t overcome Francisco Liriano’s short-lived return to the rotation and let Greinke (16-8) wriggle out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the third inning. The Twins, who had won five straight, hope to have learned something from the outing: Greinke is scheduled to pitch against them again on Saturday in Minnesota. “I’m not happy we faced him today, but I’m happy we’ve only faced him once this season,” Twins right fielder Jason Kubel said. “We’ve got to face him one more time. Unfortunately, it’s bad timing.” Before they get to Greinke again, the Twins have a pretty important series coming up: four games in Detroit, starting Monday. Even with the loss and slugger Justin Morneau out for the season, Minnesota heads into the series on a roll, with 11 wins in the past 13 games. “It’s in our hands,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We’ve got to win this series and see what happens.”

This should have been so easy for the Dodgers: Jonathan Broxton on the mound, a three-run lead in the ninth inning against the dismal Pirates and an NL West title to celebrate as soon as they closed it out. Instead, easy turned into excruciating as Los Angeles let a victory slip away when the majors' second-worst team pulled off a four-run rally aided by several defensive lapses. Right fielder Andre Ethier misplayed Lastings Milledge’s two-run single for an error that allowed the winning run to score, and last-place Pittsburgh beat the Dodgers 6-5 to prevent Los Angeles from clinching the NL West title on Sunday. “You’ve got to get 27 outs. That’s why baseball’s a little crazy sometimes,” said shortstop Rafael Furcal, who committed one of two Dodgers errors in the ninth. Los Angeles, already assured a playoff spot, went ahead 5-2 with three runs in the ninth against Matt Capps (4-8), only to let the Pirates stage their best rally of a miserable season. Pittsburgh, four losses from 100, won for only the fifth time in 29 games. “As many times as you snatch it back from somebody else, you have to understand those things happen,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “It’s not easy to take, but that’s why you watch every pitch.”

Soaked to the skin with champagne, Mark Teixeira stood on the giant "NY" logo in the Yankees clubhouse and shouted like crazy. "Tastes good!" he hollered. Favored to win the World Series since opening day, the New York Yankees celebrated like playoff newcomers after beating Boston 4-2 on Sunday to clinch the AL East title and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Absent from the playoffs last season, the Yankees put a bow on this title with their major league-leading 100th win. “Everything is clicking right now,” winning pitcher Andy Pettitte said. “When you miss out, it makes you a little more hungry to get back there.” Maybe that’s why Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and a roomful of All-Star multimillionaires went wild, chanting and jumping and spraying each other with bubbly. Teixeira and many others wore goggles to stave off the sting — of victory, that is. “I think the way last year ended left a bad taste in all our mouths,” manager Joe Girardi said. “There’s a lot of excitement. This has been a fun group, and they enjoy it.” Hideki Matsui’s go-ahead single in the sixth inning energized the damp fans and put them on notice that a party was coming. The first real bash at the new Yankee Stadium began with a most familiar scene — Rivera on the mound, closing out another clincher. Catcher Jose Molina leaped up from behind the plate even before Rivera had fielded Jacoby Ellsbury’s soft comebacker for the final out. The Yankees swarmed Rivera on the first-base side of the mound while players in the bullpen streamed in. Nick Swisher wasted no time putting on an AL East Champions hat. The crowd responded with a standing ovation as the Yankees began walking off the field, with Jeter at the front and several teammates pulling on gray championship T-shirts. “Winning a championship is what I came here for,” pitcher CC Sabathia said. “It definitely feels good—first one in pinstripes, first one in the new stadium, first celebration.”

Brandon Inge figures the next four games will give the Detroit Tigers a taste of the postseason - and with any luck, they'll secure a spot in it. They'll have to do better than this, though. Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer in his second straight game, rookie Daniel Hudson earned his first major league victory and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tigers 8-4 on Sunday for their third win in 11 games. Hudson (1-1) outpitched All-Star Edwin Jackson (13-8) over six solid innings, and Quentin broke it open with a drive to right that capped a four-run eighth and made it 8-2. The good news for the AL Central-leading Tigers was that second-place Minnesota lost 4-1 to Kansas City and Zack Greinke, so their lead over the Twins remained two games heading into a four-game series between the teams that starts on Monday at Comerica Park. “It’s a very crucial time,” Inge said. “I would say as close to a playoff game as you can get without actually being a playoff game, so you just have to go out there and have some fun with it.”

Tommy Hanson is a major reason why the Atlanta Braves are closing the season with a flourish. They're going to need more than Hanson's help to get into the playoffs. The rookie pitched seven innings on Saturday for his 11th win, Yunel Escobar drove in three runs and the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 11-5 on Saturday for their fifth consecutive victory. Atlanta pulled within 2 1/2 games of Colorado for the NL wild card when the Rockies lost 6-3 to St. Louis, which clinched the NL Central title. The Braves (84-70) have won 13 of 15 and are 50-30 since June 27, improving to a season-best 14 games over .500.

Adam Lind homered twice, including a game-ending solo drive in the 10th inning, to power the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 victory over the Mariners on Saturday that included Seattle star Ichiro Suzuki's first career ejection. Jose Bautista also went deep for the Blue Jays, who have homered in seven straight games and have 33 longballs in September, tops in the majors.

Jon Lester was able to joke, so his right leg must have felt relatively good. "Still attached, so we're going in the right direction," the Boston pitcher said. Lester was knocked out of Friday night's 9-5 loss to the New York Yankees by a third-inning liner off the bat of Melky Cabrera. The ball hit near Lester’s right knee, and he sustained only a bruised quadriceps. X-rays were negative. “It seems like it’s getting better. This morning it wasn’t as tight as I thought it was going to be,” he said Saturday. “Moving around pretty good — just seems stairs are bothering me a little bit right now.”

The Philadelphia Phillies suddenly are auditioning potential replacements for struggling closer Brad Lidge and juggling their rotation with Pedro Martinez still bothered by a stiff neck. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said on Friday that the World Series champions will consider other options for closing games, adding that manager Charlie Manuel could keep Lidge in the mix. “I don’t think any decision’s been made officially,” Amaro said. “I think Charlie’s going to put people in to pitch in the seventh, eighth, ninth inning that he feels are going to be most effective. It doesn’t necessarily mean Lidge isn’t one of those guys. He still could be one of those guys.” Philadelphia also decided to scratch Martinez from his start on Saturday against the Brewers and replace him with right-hander Kyle Kendrick. Martinez injured his neck during an at-bat in Atlanta last Saturday and it’s not clear when he will pitch again. Martinez, 5-1 with a 3.32 ERA since signing with the Phillies on July 15, said he is feeling better but didn’t want to push himself. “I’m not going to put anything in jeopardy,” Martinez said. “I’m going to be smart.” Lidge has blown 11 of 42 save chances this season for the NL East leaders. He is 0-8 with a 7.48 ERA. Last year, Lidge was perfect in 48 save tries in the regular season and playoffs. Lidge pitched the seventh inning of Friday’s 8-4 loss to Milwaukee. The Brewers were leading 7-2 when Lidge came in and gave up a run, but he still considered the outing valuable. For now, he’s more concerned about straightening himself out than he is about his role. “Keep giving me the ball,” Lidge said. “It doesn’t matter, the situation. I need to get myself ready to pitch this postseason. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a one-run game or we’re down by seven. Work like that tonight is very productive for me.” Lidge said 20 of the 24 pitches he threw in a blown save at Florida on Wednesday were sliders. He used Friday’s outing to work almost exclusively on his fastball. “The command hasn’t been there, an d I think that sometimes you kind of fall into patterns that become super-predictable,” Lidge said. “After Florida, when I thought about that outing in my mind, throwing that many sliders, that’s never smart.” And with the end of the regular season approaching, the team is running out of time for Lidge to regain the form he showed last year.

The Colorado Rockies put a damper on Matt Holliday's homecoming along with the hopes of all the teams chasing them for NL wild card. Yorvit Torrealba's sacrifice fly scored Troy Tulowitzki with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth and the Rockies edged the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 on Friday night, snapping a two-game skid.

Joba Chamberlain pitched as if his place in the New York Yankees' postseason rotation was at stake. Winless in eight starts since beating Boston on Aug. 6, Chamberlain responded with his first victory in 1 1/2 months and led the Yankees over the Red Sox 9-5 on Friday night. Earlier this week in Anaheim, Calif., manager Joe Girardi and Yankees coaches met with the 23-year-old right-hander. “I wouldn’t say that we read him the riot act. We just had a discussion that we knew he was capable of pitching better and that we need to see him pitch better,” Girardi said. Chamberlain (9-6), slated to be the Yankees’ No. 4 starter in the AL championship series and World Series, had scuffled while the Yankees held down his pitch count and innings to keep him under his preset and undisclosed limits. He had gone 0-4 with 8.42 ERA in eight starts since beating Boston. On Friday, he retired his first 11 batters before Victor Martinez’s solo homer and allowed three runs and five hits in six innings, throwing 86 pitches. He struck out five and walked one. “You’ve just got to be challenged,” Chamberlain said. “There’s a lot of people in this game that want your job and you know when it comes down to it you have to look like they’re going to try to take money off your table and try to take away wins and a championship away from you.” Alex Rodriguez homered, drove in four runs and tied a career high with three steals as the Yankees, already assured of a playoff berth, lowered to three the magic number for their first AL East title since 2006. Jon Lester (14-8), Boston’s best starter during the second half of the season, crumpled to the mound in pain when struck near his right knee by Melky Cabrera’s liner in the third inning. His head back and eyes closed, Lester was looked over by trainers from both teams. After about 2 minutes, Lester hobbled off with the assistance of Red Sox trainer Paul Lessard, and David Ortiz helped him down the dugout steps. “When it first happened, it looked terrible. It sounded terrible,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said X-rays were negative, and Boston said Lester had a bruised quadriceps. “It hit off my knee going about mach seven,” Lester said. “It hit me in a good spot, where it didn’t do too much damage that, hopefully, I won’t miss any time.”

The Colorado Rockies insist they're not feeling the squeeze as the NL wild-card race tightens around them. "We control our destiny still," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said after the Rockies' 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday night trimmed their lead to 3 1/2 games over idle Atlanta.

Although Justin Verlander and Tigers manager Jim Leyland don't always agree on pitching philosophy, they were both pleased with his latest effort. Verlander (17-9) struck out 11 in seven innings and Carlos Guillen had three hits and an RBI in Detroit's 6-5 win over Cleveland on Thursday, pushing the Indians within one loss of matching a franchise record for futility.

Suspended Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley apologized on Wednesday for behavior that led to general manager Jim Hendry's decision to banish him for the rest of the season. "I chose Chicago as a free agent because I wanted to be part of finally bringing a championship to the Cubs' fans. I expected to have a great season and I am deeply disappointed by my performance and the team’s struggles,” said Bradley, who signed a $30 million, three-year contract in the offseason. But Bradley struggled and was booed loudly at Wrigley Field while hitting .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs, and the Cubs started Wednesday 7 1/2 games out of the NL wild card race at 78-72 after winning 97 games last season. Bradley said his frustration and disappointment caused him to act in a way he regrets. “I wish that I handled certain things different and I apologize for those things that did not work out for the better,” he said in a statement. “The air has been cleared, and we all want to move on and look forward to better days.” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he appreciated Bradley’s comments. “I’m happy to see that he issued the statement and apologized,” said Piniella, who clashed with Bradley several times this season. “You know — put that behind us and we just go forward.”

Carlos Guillen feels right again, which is good news for the pennant-hungry Detroit Tigers. Guillen hit two of Detroit's three home runs to help Rick Porcello and the Tigers defeat Cleveland 11-3 on Wednesday night, the Indians' season-high 10th straight loss. Miguel Cabrera added a two-run homer, a 440-foot shot into the bleachers in left-center, as the Tigers won their third straight, maintaining a 2 1/2-game lead over Minnesota in the AL Central. The Twins won at Chicago, 8-6, and will open a four-game series in Detroit on Monday. “The big boys stepped it up,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “Carlos is one of the big boys, but it’s not fair to ask him to do too much because he’s missed so much time. It’s good to have him back.” Guillen’s second homer of the game and 11th of the season was hit right-handed as the switch-hitter batted from that side for only the second game since returning from the disabled list July 24. He missed more than two months with a sore right shoulder that the Tigers originally feared may have needed surgery. “Any home run feels good,” Guillen said, adding he didn’t think about whether it came right-handed or left. “I just try to hit the ball, help my team, and don’t think too much about anything. I feel strong.” Guillen tied a season high with four RBIs. He hit a two-run homer in the third off right-hander Justin Masterson (4-9) and connected on the second pitch from left-hander Mike Gosling to make it 9-1 in the fifth. It was the fourth time in his career Guillen went deep from both sides and his seventh multihomer game overall.

Ian Kennedy's 20 friends and family members could scarcely stand to watch while the New York reliever's first appearance in over a year went from an inspiration to a budding nightmare. Thanks to a bases-loaded fly ball, Kennedy and the Yankees could enjoy a much-needed series victory that sent them into a big weekend series with plenty of momentum.

A member of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox in 2005, Juan Uribe is doing his best to get the San Francisco Giants into the postseason this year. Uribe hit a two-run homer and had an RBI double in a 5-2 victory over Arizona on Wednesday night that let the Giants gain a game on NL wild card leader Colorado.

No champagne. No plastic sheets on the lockers. Just a few handshakes and hugs on the field. Although the Yankees secured their return to the playoffs on Tuesday night after a year away that sometimes felt like an eternity, they haven't forgotten which clinchers really matter. Brett Gardner scored the tiebreaking run on Alex Rodriguez's sacrifice fly in the ninth, and the Yankees got ready for their 14th playoff appearance in 15 seasons on Tuesday night with a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Rodriguez homered and drove in three runs before Mariano Rivera earned his 41st save for the Yankees, who were guaranteed a return to the postseason about 55 minutes before the last out in Anaheim when Oakland beat the Texas Rangers 9-1.

Trey Hillman thinks Zack Greinke should make room in his trophy case for the Cy Young Award. Greinke bolstered his Cy Young credentials by holding Boston to two hits in six scoreless innings, leading the Royals to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. "I am biased," the Royals manager said. “Part of that bias is I’ve seen all his starts. I have a very difficult time believing there is anybody better in the major leagues, that’s as good a pitcher as Zack Greinke is in the year 2009.” Greinke is 3-0 with a 0.26 ERA in his past five starts, allowing 18 hits and one earned run in 35 innings. With the stingy stretch, Greinke has lowered his major league-leading ERA to 2.08. Greinke (15-8) became the first Royals pitcher to win at least 15 games in a season since Paul Byrd won 17 in 2002. Byrd (1-2) was the losing pitcher Tuesday.

Curt Schilling won't test out just how popular he is in Massachusetts. The former Boston Red Sox pitcher, beloved in the state for his starring role in ending an 86-year championship drought, announced on Tuesday he isn't running for Edward M. Kennedy's seat in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this month, Schilling expressed interest in pursuing the post held by the Massachusetts Democrat.

The Tampa Bay Rays will not get the chance for a second straight championship season. Jose Lopez hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Rays 4-3 on Tuesday night, eliminating the defending AL champions from the postseason. "It's not the way we wanted this year to end," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

Nick Blackburn is enjoying the Minnesota Twins' late surge and everything that comes with it. "This is what we all play for. It's a blast," the right-hander said on Monday night after pitching seven sharp innings to help Minnesota beat the fading Chicago White Sox 7-0 for its seventh victory in eight games.

After challenging the Yankees' powerful lineup, Joe Saunders stood at his locker with a bulging wrap around his left shoulder and another on his left knee. Despite how worn out he looked afterward, Saunders was plenty strong on the mound on Monday night. Saunders pitched into the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Angels prevented New York from wrapping up a playoff spot, winning 5-2 in a matchup of division leaders. “I threw the ball well, especially against a great-hitting club like they are,” he said. “I didn’t have my best stuff, but I located it when I needed to and got some big double plays. The hitters did a great job for me, giving me a little bit of a cushion there in the first.” Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter hit consecutive RBI doubles in the first inning off Yankees starter Andy Pettitte, who said his troublesome shoulder felt fine. Kendry Morales added a pinch-hit homer. The Angels earned their 90th victory for the seventh time in nine seasons and reduced their magic number to six for clinching their third consecutive AL West title.

Mark DeRosa hopes he's finally broken out of the slump that's followed his wrist injury. DeRosa homered twice at Minute Maid Park for the second time this season and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Astros 7-3 on Monday night, a few hours after Houston fired manager Cecil Cooper. DeRosa hurt his left wrist on June 30 and has said he'll need surgery after the season.

The Houston Astros couldn't wait until the end of the season to fire manager Cecil Cooper. The Astros made the move on Monday and promoted third-base coach Dave Clark to interim manager. Clark made his major-league managing debut in Houston's 7-3 loss to St. Louis, the Astros' eighth straight loss.

A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants was charged with murder in the death of a 25-year-old man last weekend at a bar in his Caribbean homeland. Angel Villalona, who received a club-record $2.1 million bonus when he was signed by the Giants in 2006, wore a bulletproof vest on Monday to his hearing at a court in the city of La Romana bar. “This is a serious case of voluntary homicide,” public prosecutor Jose Polanco said. Police haven’t said what the motive for the shooting was. Villalona, who appeared tired at Monday’s hearing, refused to talk to reporters and tried to hide his face from photographers. The first baseman played in 74 games with Class-A San Jose this season, batting .267 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs. Baseball America chose him as the Giants’ top prospect before the 2008 season and he was selected for the Futures Game during All-Star festivities that year. The Giants said on Monday night they wouldn’t comment further after issuing a statement on Sunday saying the club was “disappointed” to learn that Villalona was considered a suspect by Dominican police.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may get a chance over the next 1 1-2 weeks to find out if champagne stains come out of gray uniforms easier than from white ones. Andre Ethier hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Tim Lincecum, Ronnie Belliard added a two-run single against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, and the NL West leaders beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Sunday to go 30 games over .500.

Placido Polanco drove in three runs, Detroit's bullpen pitched four shutout innings and the Tigers avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday to increase their AL Central lead to three games. Ryan Raburn homered for slumping Detroit, which won for the second time in six games and fourth in 13.

Milton Bradley's season is finished. Perhaps his days with the Chicago Cubs are, too. The Cubs suspended their volatile outfielder for the rest of the season on Sunday, one day after he criticized the team in a newspaper interview. Bradley was disciplined for conduct detrimental to the team. General manager Jim Hendry said he decided to send Bradley home after learning of the player's remarks in the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald of Illinois. Bradley, scratched from Saturday’s lineup with a sore left knee, was quoted as saying “you understand why they haven’t won in 100 years here.” Bradley has two years remaining on a three-year, $30 million contract that he signed as a free agent last offseason. Hendry said he doesn’t know if the relationship can be salvaged. “The last few days became too much for me to tolerate,” Hendry said. “I just decided late last night that’s what I was going to do, and I didn’t give it a lot of thought what’s going to transpire moving forward.” Cubs manager Lou Piniella agreed with Hendry’s move. “Jim made the decision and I support it,” the manager said. “I really do.” Chicago signed the switch-hitting Bradley to provide balance in the lineup, but he struggled throughout his first season with Chicago, batting .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs. He was booed vigorously by home fans at Wrigley Field. The Cubs, who haven’t won the World Series since 1908, began the day eight games out of the NL wild-card spot with 15 to play. They were 11 games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central. Piniella said whether the 31-year-old Bradley is with the team next season will be entirely Hendry’s call. He wasn’t sure why Bradley was unhappy in Chicago, and maintained he did his best to deal with a player who he quickly learned required plenty of space. “I don’t know what I could have done. I really don’t,” Piniella said. “I tried to make it as comfortable as I possibly could for Milton.” In the newspaper story, Bradley also was quoted as saying the team did not have a “positive environment.” He said he didn’t know if he’d be back next season. “I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment,” Bradley told the newspaper. “There’s too many people everywhere in your face with a microphone asking the same questions repeatedly. “Everything is just bashing you. It’s just negativity.”

Jake Peavy's first start with the Chicago White Sox came after a long wait, hours of rehab and a frustrating setback. Once he returned to the mound for his first major league start in more than three months, it had a familiar feeling. One he'd really missed. "Once you get out there, it's like riding a bike. It comes back to you,” said Peavy on Saturday night after pitching five innings and getting the win in Chicago’s 13-3 rout of the Kansas City Royals. “You certainly are comfortable in that surrounding,” Peavy added. “I did some things well and some things not so well. I got a long way to go to be where I want to be.” Peavy (1-0) hadn’t pitched in a major league game since June 8 when he beat the Diamondbacks while with the Padres. Five days later, he went on the disabled list with a strained tendon in his right ankle. Traded to the White Sox on July 31, he’d planned to be pitching sooner but was hit in the pitching elbow with a line drive during a rehab game on Aug. 24, setting him back. Even with the White Sox’s chances for making the postseason slim at best, Peavy made the start on Saturday night and the 2007 Cy Young Award winner gave a glimpse of what might be next season during his 73-pitch outing. Peavy said he’s sure he’ll feel some soreness on Sunday, but that’s to be expected. He gave up three hits, three runs and two walks with five strikeouts on Saturday night. And now he might get two more starts.

Brian Duensing left the mound to a rousing ovation for his performance that helped push Minnesota within three games of Detroit for the AL Central lead. Showing his age, Duensing wasn't sure about protocol. Tip his cap to acknowledge the crowd, or just keep walking? That was the only sign of his rookie status, though. He pitched with the poise of a seasoned pro. Michael Cuddyer’s two-run homer was all Duensing needed, energizing the Twins in a 3-0 victory over the Tigers on Friday night. “He wasn’t scared of any of those guys,” Cuddyer said. “He went out there, pounded the strike zone. That was huge, and hopefully he can continue to be huge for us.” This is the closest the Twins (75-72) have been to first place since Aug. 2. They’re 6-1 at home this year against Detroit. “He kept us off balance, move the ball around, went in and out,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “Was he overpowering? No. Did he show great stuff? No. But he showed good stuff, and he showed tremendous pitchability.” Duensing gave up two infield singles among just four hits and only one walk over 6 1-3 innings, before yielding to the bullpen to finish Minnesota’s fifth straight victory.

This time, there was no where for Ichiro Suzuki to run and hide. A day after scurrying away from his Seattle teammates in the outfield following a game-winning hit, Suzuki had no choice but to face the mob waiting at home plate. The pounding was worth it. Facing dominating New York closer Mariano Rivera, the Mariners All-Star outfielder lined a two-out, two-run homer into the right field seats to give the Mariners a stunning 3-2 win over the Yankees on Friday night. After pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney kept the ninth alive with a two-out double off Rivera, Suzuki came through with the third game-winning homer this season for the Mariners. He jumped on the first pitch from Rivera (3-3) and set off the shocking celebration. “Today there was no where to escape. I got beat up a little bit,” Suzuki said through his interpreter. The finish was so sudden since Rivera had been so dominant over the last few months. It was only the second time since June that Rivera has allowed a run, and just his second blown save of the year, having converted 36 straight. His previous blown save was on April 24 when Boston’s Jason Bay tagged him for a two-run homer. The ninth started in typical Rivera fashion. He overpowered Jack Hannahan and Mike Carp for his 999th and 1,000th career strikeouts. Then came Sweeney, who got a cutter that was left over the plate and sliced it into right-center field over the head of Nick Swisher. Before anyone had time to notice a pinch-runner in Sweeney’s place, Suzuki was trotting around the bases after his 10th homer of the season.

The Los Angeles Angels couldn't afford to give the Boston Red Sox yet another psychological advantage in their budding postseason rivalry. One night after a ninth-inning collapse, the Angels rallied behind Howie Kendrick's tie-breaking blooper in the ninth to beat Boston 4-3 on Thursday night and avert a three-game sweep.

Federal prosecutors urged a federal appellate court to reverse a trial judge and let them present critical evidence they say shows Barry Bonds knowingly used steroids. Both sides fielded difficult questions on Thursday from the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cole Hamels is again pitching like Philadelphia's October ace. Hamels has turned his season around down the stretch for the NL East-leading Phillies, putting himself in position for another postseason run. Hamels took a perfect game into the sixth inning, masterfully using his changeup while matching a season high with 10 strikeouts and leading the Phillies to a 4-2 win over Washington.

Josh Johnson showed why he's one of the top starters in the majors on Wednesday. Even without his best stuff, the right-hander was good enough to shut down the St. Louis Cardinals. Johnson pitched six effective innings to lead the Florida Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals. Cody Ross had three hits and drove in two runs for Florida, which has won 10 of 14 to stay in the playoff race. Ross extended his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest current streak in the NL, and was 5 for 12 in the series. Florida (78-68) moved within four games of wild card-leading Colorado, which was at San Francisco on Wednesday night. “This is a resilient team,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “They forget bad losses quickly and go on to the next game.” Johnson (15-4) gave up nine hits but allowed just one run in his 23rd quality start of the season. He struck out five and walked none, improving to 3-1 with a 3.14 ERA in his last five starts. “They made good contact with the ball,” Johnson said. “I’d throw good pitches and they’d get hits. It was one of those days where I didn’t walk anybody. That was huge for me today.”

The Detroit Tigers gave their fans plenty to cheer about on Wednesday night. First the team honored long-time radio announcer Ernie Harwell, then the Tigers went out and beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 to maintain their lead in the AL Central. Placido Polanco singled home the go-ahead run with two outs in the sixth inning as the Tigers, seeking their first division title since 1987, reduced their magic number to 13. Detroit leads Minnesota by 4 1/2 games. “That’s just the way we’ve played games all year,” said Detroit shortstop Adam Everett, who drove in two runs, including the tying run in the sixth. “I don’t know how to explain it. They’ve been beating us up pretty good and to get a win, and win in that fashion, was big for us.” The victory ended the Tigers’ five-game skid against Kansas City.

The Yankees ran on the field for the second straight night. This time it was to celebrate after they fought back with their bats, not their fists. Hideki Matsui tied the score with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, Francisco Cervelli followed with a winning single in the ninth and New York capped its next-to-last homestand of the regular season with a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Daniel Murphy's "pretty awful day" helped give the Atlanta Braves a ninth-inning comeback victory and more reason to believe in their playoff chances. The Braves took advantage of Murphy's error to score two runs in the ninth inning off Francisco Rodriguez and beat the New York Mets 6-5 on Wednesday night for their season-best sixth straight win.

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Toronto pitcher Jesse Carlson each were suspended for three games and fined on Wednesday by Major League Baseball for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl. They were cited for "aggressive and inappropriate actions" by Bob Watson, MLB's vice president for discipline, and started serving the penalties immediately, a day after they tangled. Yankees utilityman Shelley Duncan was suspended for three games and appealed, delaying the start of any discipline. Toronto manager Cito Gaston said Carlson was fined $3,000 and that Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas was docked $1,000. Posada was fined $2,500, and Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and pitcher Edwar Ramirez were fined.

Los Angeles Angels closer Brian Fuentes thinks he's figured out why the Red Sox have been so successful at home. After two questionable calls kept the Red Sox alive with two outs in the ninth, Alex Gonzalez hit a game-winning blooper down the left-field line to give Boston a 9-8 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night - the seventh consecutive win for the Red Sox and their 10th in a row at home.

Trying to explain their untimely slump is about as difficult for the Texas Rangers as trying to score a run these days. "You figure you'd have somebody in the lineup getting it done," manager Ron Washington said. Trevor Cahill combined with two relievers on a one-hitter and the last-place Oakland Athletics completed a three-game series sweep, their first in more than three months, with a 4-0 victory on Wednesday night. The playoff-chasing Rangers are 1-5 on this homestand, and have scored only one run in their four-game losing streak. “How can you explain something like that?” Ian Kinsler said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. It’s not productive at all. There’s no way to put a finger on it. We just need to relax and get ready for the next game.” Next is Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels, who lost 9-8 at Boston on Wednesday night in the second of a three-game series and lead the AL West by six games over the Rangers.

Inspired by Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton put more goose eggs on the scoreboard. Blanton tossed six scoreless innings, Jayson Werth hit a grand slam and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 6-1 on Wednesday night. Blanton (10-7) allowed five hits and struck out seven. The Phillies were one out away from recording three consecutive shutouts for the first time in 40 years when Willie Harris singled in a run off Tyler Walker. The Phillies beat the New York Mets 1-0 on Sunday night behind eight innings from Martinez and one from Ryan Madson. Lee tossed a six-hitter in a 5-0 win against the Nationals on Tuesday.

Both the NL wild-card lead that looked comfortable just a few days ago and the four-run lead that seemed safe at the start of the ninth inning on Wednesday night were dwindling with each pitch for the Colorado Rockies. Then Rafael Betancourt escaped a jam to save the best start of Jorge De La Rosa's career and send the Rockies out of town with a 4-3 victory over San Francisco and a 3 1/2-game lead over the Giants in the wild card. “Three-and-a-half definitely sounds a lot better in your head than 1 1/2,” first baseman Todd Helton said. “It was a big game tonight and we were able to get a win.” It almost wasn’t to be as the Giants scored three runs in the ninth and put the tying run on third base before Betancourt struck out Nate Schierholtz for his first save since joining Colorado in July. That effort made sure that the brilliant work by De La Rosa (15-9) wouldn’t go to waste. He allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings to beat the Giants for the sixth straight start. He gave the bullpen a 4-0 lead to start the ninth.

Matt Kemp's best season just keeps getting better. The Los Angeles Dodgers are moving into rare territory, too. Kemp hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning, Ronnie Belliard added a solo shot and the Dodgers beat the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.

Andre Ethier still has a hard time believing his uncanny ability to generate game-winning hits. Ethier hit a two-run homer in the 13th inning - his major league-leading sixth walkoff hit of the season - giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. "You pinch yourself,” he said. “If there’s a heartbeat left, we can come back and try to win it. I was just looking for a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on something.” Four of Ethier’s game-ending hits have been home runs, the latest gave the Dodgers their 37th comeback win of the season and earned him a curtain call. The NL West leaders moved five games ahead of Colorado, which lost 10-2 at San Francisco, and had their magic number to clinch a playoff berth reduced to 10. “As Yogi would say, `It’s deja vu all over again,”’ Dodgers manager Joe Torre said, quoting former New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra. “You’ve seen him do it, you want to visualize it, and when he does it, it’s just surreal.”

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned from the disabled list just in time to show the Boston Red Sox he can help them in the playoffs. And he gave the Los Angeles Angels a preview of what could be waiting for them in October, too. Matsuzaka returned from a three-month stint on the DL with six shutout innings on Tuesday night to lead the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Angels, their likely first-round playoff opponent. “We’re in the middle of a playoff race, and we don’t have a lot of leeway,” said Matsuzaka, who hadn’t pitched for Boston since June 19 and hadn’t won since June 2. “I just want to do my best to contribute.” David Ortiz hit his record-breaking 270th homer as a designated hitter and also added an RBI single after Boston broke a scoreless tie in the sixth thanks to a throwing error by John Lackey (10-8). The Red Sox have won six straight since returning to Fenway Park after Labor Day.

Barry Zito is pitching a lot like his old self and the San Francisco Giants are finally backing him with plenty of runs. And they're right back in the playoff chase. Zito struck out a season-high nine in his biggest win yet as a Giant, Juan Uribe drove in three runs and San Francisco shaved another game off Colorado's hold on the NL wild card with a 10-2 victory over the Rockies on Tuesday night. “We’re just clicking right now,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Hopefully this is something we can continue and keep the momentum going. … We still have some ground to make up.” San Francisco won its third straight after a four-game skid and pulled within 2 1/2 games of the wild-card leading Rockies, who dropped their fourth straight following an eight-game winning streak. Zito, the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner, is finally performing more like the standout pitcher San Francisco awarded with a $126 million, seven-year contract before the 2007 season. The Giants swept the Rockies from Aug. 28-30 to move even in the wild card, and could really benefit by doing so again this time.

Randy Johnson was encouraged with his performance in a simulated game on Monday and hopes to return to pitch out of the bullpen for the San Francisco Giants during the stretch run. The 45-year-old Johnson threw 53 pitches, including warmups, before the Giants played the Colorado Rockies.

Having finally rid themselves of an embarrassing losing streak that ended their playoff hopes, the Tampa Bay Rays can turn their attention toward concluding the season on a positive note. Using a 15-hit attack and an effective pitching performance by David Price, the Rays snapped their 11-game skid on Monday night with an 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.