Mauer signs eight-year extension
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EDT)
Twins agreed to terms with catcher Joe Mauer on a eight-year, $184 million contract extension, covering the 2011-2018 seasons. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

Dice-K pleased after first spring outing
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:14:00 EDT)
Taking another incremental step toward his return, Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka took the two-mile ride to the Minor League complex on Sunday morning, where he faced hitters in a game situation for the first time since the end of last season.

Nathan to have Tommy John surgery
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EDT)
Twins closer Joe Nathan told reporters Sunday morning that he will undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow as soon as possible.

Gammons: Gonzalez stays focused
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EDT)
Talk show callers in Boston act as if acquiring Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez is their divine right. Padres fans should try to focus on the now, though, as Gonzalez's star continues to rise.

Lincecum leans on fastball to get work in
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:07:00 EDT)
Instead of making the four-hour round-trip to Tucson to face the D-backs on Sunday, Tim Lincecum stayed on his work schedule by lasting 5 2/3 shutout innings in a Minor League intrasquad game and threw almost exclusively fastballs and changeups.

Bauman: Mauer deal good for baseball
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:31:00 EDT)
Joe Mauer's contract extension with the Twins is a good thing not only for Minnesota, but for small-market baseball and competitive balance.

Volquez begins throwing off mound
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EDT)
The rehabilitation of Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez from major elbow surgery is moving at a snail's pace, but at least it's moving forward.

Oswalt gets in work despite rain
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:55:00 EDT)
For the third time this spring, the Astros had a Grapefruit League game rained out when Sunday's matchup against the New York Mets at Osceola County Stadium was cancelled after one inning of play.

MLBPA head holds court with Yanks players
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EDT)
MLBPA head Michael Weiner addressed the Yanks on Sunday for approximately one hour and 20 minutes, speaking about the CBA, the MLB Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, potential testing of blood and possible divisional realignment, among a variety of topics.

Lewis enriched by time in Japan
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:38:00 EDT)
After two years spent playing in Japan, Colby Lewis is back in the United States, pitching for the Rangers. But he has not forgotten Japan, where he and his wife immersed themselves in the culture.

Navarro says he's OK for Opening Day
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EDT)
After a scary collision at home plate on Saturday made it look like catcher Dioner Navarro would be seriously injured, he was on crutches Sunday but insisted he'd be OK for Opening Day.

Morgan returning to lineup on Thursday
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EDT)
Nyjer Morgan said he is fully recovered from his right hamstring injury and would like to play Monday against the Mets, but manager Jim Riggleman said Morgan will not play in an exhibition game until Thursday.

Hernandez sparkles in second outing
(Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:09:00 EDT)
Felix Hernandez looked every bit the ace Saturday in his longest outing of the spring, five innings, and shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks on two hits.

Johnson among hardest throwers in game
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:41:00 EDT)
At 6-foot-7, 250-pounds, Josh Johnson is an imposing figure on the mound. He backs it up with one of the hardest fastballs in the game.

A baseball lifer, Matthews living the life
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EDT)
The son of a big leaguer, Gary Matthews saw at an early age how the game can generate deep emotions. Now a veteran vying for an Opening Day nod, he knows the feeling first-hand.

Rays' rotation could be finalized soon
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:24:00 EDT)
Wade Davis and Andy Sonnanstine were expected to spend most of the spring competing for the Rays' final rotation spot. But an injury to reliever J.P. Howell could force the team to make a decision soon.

Cards' pitching picture coming into focus
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:45:00 EDT)
The Cardinals announced four cuts on Sunday, helping to clarify the battle for the final bullpen slot putting possible starter Kyle McClellan or former first-rounder Adam Ottavino ahead of the pack.

Clauses prompt decisions for Brewers
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:44:00 EDT)
Brewers officials are scheduled to meet Monday morning to discuss roster decisions, including a handful of players in camp who can elect free agency this week if they are not added to the 40-man roster.

Bauman: Washington faces tough task
(Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:18:00 EDT)
The revelation of Ron Washington's 2009 drug use has nothing to do with the tough challenge facing the Rangers manager.

Papelbon endures migraine, tough outing
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:35:00 EDT)
Jonathan Papelbon is an unfortunate veteran of migraines, enough so that he knew that one was coming on in the hours leading up to his outing on Sunday afternoon against the Astros.

Wood may miss two months for Tribe
(Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:27:00 EDT)
Indians closer Kerry Wood may miss the first two months of the season after an MRI revealed a strained latissimus muscle as the source of the pain under his right shoulder.

Mind games: Linebrink visualizing success
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:42:00 EDT)
The right arm of Scott Linebrink ultimately will dictate how successful the White Sox veteran will perform in the late innings of games this season. It is Linebrink's mind, though, which ultimately might push him back to a setup force.

Lannan displays midseason form
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:11:00 EDT)
Nationals left-handers John Lannan and Jesse English and infielder Eric Bruntlett stood out in a 9-7 victory over the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Pedroia, Cameron go deep in loss
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:06:00 EDT)
Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and Dustin Pedroia and Mike Cameron each homered, but Jonathan Papelbon endured a rough outing as the Red Sox fell to the Astros on Sunday, 10-7.

Braun belts third spring homer for Crew
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:58:00 EDT)
Ryan Braun homered and drove in three runs and Randy Wolf allowed two runs in five innings as the Brewers tied the White Sox, 4-4, in 10 innings on Sunday at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Reimold hopeful first hit is turning point
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:53:00 EDT)
It was barely 8 a.m. ET on Sunday when Nolan Reimold and O's hitting coach Terry Crowley began looking over film at the team's Spring Training complex. The footage wasn't to pick up on a flaw, but rather to help Reimold get back to the basics

Jurrjens to get his work in on Monday
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:52:00 EDT)
With heavy rains falling and the radar showing that ominous conditions would likely be present throughout the afternoon hours, the Braves opted not to send Jair Jurrjens to the mound to complete what would have been just two innings of work.

In first start, Moyer handles himself well
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:06:00 EDT)
The Phillies said earlier this spring that Kyle Kendrick must beat out Moyer for the No. 5 starter's job. If that truly is the case, Moyer made a good case for himself Sunday, tossing five innings of one-run ball, with six strikeouts.

Jenks says he'll be a go for opener
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:14:00 EDT)
White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has been dealing with irritation in his right calf this spring, but he insists he'll be ready to answer the bell on Opening Day.

Royals pound 17 knocks in tie with Rockies
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:10:00 EDT)
Alberto Callaspo went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs, and Billy Butler went 2-for-2 as the Royals played the Rockies to an 11-11 tie on Sunday.

Silva has less to worry about with Cubs
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:50:00 EDT)
Carlos Silva had to come out of Sunday's Cubs game against the Reds after two innings because of a tight right quad, but it doesn't matter. His mother arrives Monday.

Bowker backs Pucetas' strong start
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EDT)
John Bowker hit a three-run homer and Kevin Pucetas allowed one run in five innings Sunday as the Giants beat the D-backs, 4-3.

Rios returns to White Sox with no pain
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EDT)
Alex Rios is familiar with the left quadriceps injury that has cost him a few games during the 2010 Cactus League action, so he had no problem waiting to return to Sunday's lineup.

Sunday's rainout changes Tigers' plans
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:03:00 EDT)
The Tigers were hoping to see reliever Joel Zumaya in game action, but there was no word after the postponement whether he would throw a bullpen in Lakeland or instead pitch on Monday.

Routine helps Byrd fit right in with Cubs
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:10:00 EDT)
The key to new Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd's success is keeping a routine. He learned that when he was in the Phillies' spring camp -- find a daily ritual that works was the advice he got from Jim Thome.

Yanks add intrasquad game due to rainout
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:50:00 EDT)
The Yankees will have a split-squad game at home, in addition to their scheduled contest against the Phillies, on Monday to make up for Sunday's rainout.

Experience helped Berg relax, win spot
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:55:00 EDT)
Justin Berg hasn't been told he's made the Cubs, though Lou Piniella has indicated as much. The reliever says the key has been the comfort of having camp experience under his belt.

Wilson takes swing at rotation spot
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EDT)
When the Rangers face the Giants on Monday, C.J. Wilson has a chance to cement his new status as a member of the Rangers rotation.

Three-hit day helps Dodgers' Anderson
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:15:00 EDT)
Blake DeWitt homered and Garret Anderson moved closer to winning a bench job for the Dodgers with three hits in a 12-5 loss to the Indians on Sunday.

Kearns shows his power, homers twice
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:30:00 EDT)
Austin Kearns homered twice and drove in five runs, and Jake Westbrook tossed 4 2/3 solid innings in the Indians' 12-5 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday.

Gomes hits fourth homer of spring
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:10:00 EDT)
Jonny Gomes hit his fourth homer of the spring and Johnny Cueto was solid over four innings the Reds beat the A's on Sunday, 4-3.

Selig says he is open to realignment
(Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EDT)
Commissioner Bud Selig said Saturday he's in favor of some realignment of baseball's divisions, but wasn't specific about what direction it should go.

Strasburg sent to Minor League camp
(Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EDT)
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo doesn't like to rush pitching prospects to the big leagues. He was true to his reputation Saturday morning, as the Nationals sent right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen to Minor League camp.

Jays-Red Sox tilt washed away by rain
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:42:00 EDT)
The Blue Jays tried to wait out the rain, but ultimately were forced to cancel their contest against the Red Sox on Sunday afternoon at Dunedin Stadium due to inclement weather.

Montero, Romine sent down by Yanks
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EDT)
Though the Yankees never got on the field on Sunday against the Tigers, there was activity in the home clubhouse, as catchers Jesus Montero and Austin Romine were reassigned to Minor League camp, along with outfielders Colin Curtis and Reid Gorecki.

Twins break out big bats vs. Rays
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:42:00 EDT)
The Twins busted out for five runs in the bottom of the first inning and two more in the second before cruising to a 12-3 win over a split-squad Rays team on Sunday afternoon.

Dodgers' Harris stable after bypass
(Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:42:00 EDT)
Minor League instructor and former Dodgers player Lenny Harris is in stable condition at a local hospital after undergoing emergency quadruple heart bypass surgery Saturday, a baseball source confirmed.