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Indians’ Sizemore to skip WBC, rest ailing groin
Cleveland Indians All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore will not play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of …

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Snyder helps slam door on White Sox
Snyder helps slam door on Sox Brad Snyder hit a grand slam, and Aaron Heilman fanned four over two scoreless innings in a 13-0 win over the White Sox before a record crowd Saturday. Koyie Hill drove in two runs.

KC’s Bale to undergo thyroid surgery
KC’s Bale to undergo thyroid surgery John Bale’s physical woes with the Royals continue. The left-handed pitcher will undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove his thyroid, Royals manager Trey Hillman announced Saturday.

Preview: Cubs’ playoff flop yields big changes to roster
Lou Piniella didn’t want condolences. All he wanted was solitude after the Chicago Cubs were swept out of the playoffs in October …

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Manny Ramirez rejects latest Dodgers offer
Manny Ramirez has rejected the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ latest offer of a two-year, $45 million contract, owner Frank McCourt said Thursday night.

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Mulling over your fantasy keepers? Invest in the future
The first major decision many fantasy owners face each spring is putting together a keeper list. Most keeper leagues will have a deadline sometime in the next few weeks by which all owners will have to decide on the players they’re going to protect.

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AP source: A-Rod to meet with MLB officials on Sunday
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball officials on Sunday to discuss his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 while with Texas.

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AP source: A-Rod to meet with MLB officials on Sunday
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball officials on Sunday to discuss his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 while with Texas.

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US loses injured Sizemore from WBC (AP)
Cleveland Indians All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore will not play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of soreness in his left groin. The injury has been bothering Sizemore for about a week and he had been considering not playing in the WBC. He was scheduled to leave training camp with Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa on Sunday and join the American team in Clearwater, Fla.

Bonds perjury trial delayed indefinitely (AP)

Barry Bonds’ perjury trial was delayed indefinitely Friday after federal prosecutors notified the judge overseeing the case that they will appeal her decision to exclude key evidence from the jury. Jury selection, which has been set to start Monday, “will not proceed until further notice,” according to a filing Friday by the clerk for U.S.

Mulling over your fantasy keepers? Invest in the future
The first major decision many fantasy owners face each spring is putting together a keeper list. Most keeper leagues will have a deadline sometime in the next few weeks by which all owners will have to decide on the players they’re going to protect.

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Phillies release RHP Eaton, owe him $9M (AP)
Adam Eaton’s stay with the Phillies ended Friday when the team released the right-hander, who is owed $9 million by Philadelphia. “I don’t think upset is the right word,” Eaton said. “Underachieve? Yeah. The expectations for both sides coming in were unrealized. One was achieved last year, but not in the way we thought.

Dodgers, Manny appear no closer to deal (AP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers spoke to the agent for Manny Ramirez on Friday, and still no sign the sides are any closer to a deal. The Dodgers announced Thursday night that agent Scott Boras had declined the team’s latest offer to the star outfielder — a $25 million, one-year contract with a $20 million player option for 2010.

Ligety ends U.S. men’s World Cup skiing drought
Ted Ligety of the United States won a giant slalom race Saturday for his fourth career victory, and the first this season for an American man.

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Astros SS Tejada opts to play in WBC (AP)
Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada has changed his mind and will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Tejada said earlier this week he decided to skip the event because the Dominican team had asked him to play first base. The Astros said Friday that he reconsidered and will most likely be used at shortstop, third base and designated hitter.

Weaver eases into shape, throws off hill
Easing into shape, Weaver throws Right-hander Jered Weaver, taking it more slowly this spring than last year when he came out of the chute blazing, threw off a mound for the first time on Friday and was feeling good afterward.

Diamondbacks’ Webb scratched from start (AP)
Arizona ace Brandon Webb was scratched from his first spring start Friday because of a sore right forearm. Webb threw off flat ground Friday morning and said his arm felt better than it had the previous day, and he expects to make his next scheduled start March 4 against Mexico in Tucson. “I ended up throwing and felt not 100 percent but 80 percent better than I did yesterday,” Webb said.

US loses injured Sizemore from WBC (AP)
Cleveland Indians All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore will not play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of soreness in his left groin. The injury has been bothering Sizemore for about a week and he had been considering not playing in the WBC. He was scheduled to leave training camp with Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa on Sunday and join the American team in Clearwater, Fla.

Big Unit pain-free in his first outing
Big Unit pain-free in his first outing The simple fact that Randy Johnson was able to pitch this early in the exhibition season meant more than how he pitched. So it was a bonus that he pitched adequately, too.

Danks, Floyd out to defy expectations
Danks, Floyd out to exceed expectations Gavin Floyd and John Danks have emerged as solid No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers behind ace Mark Buehrle, but the expectations that each pitcher has for himself goes well beyond numbers.

Webb scratched from scheduled start
Webb scratched from scheduled start Brandon Webb was scratched from his first start of the spring Friday after experiencing tightness in his right forearm.

Pesky Gardner impressing early
Pesky Gardner impressing early The Bombers have several big boppers, and they’re hoping Brett Gardner, battling to be the starting center fielder, proves to be the perfect complement.

Mets ace Santana scratched again (AP)
Johan Santana was scratched from his second straight start by the New York Mets because of a sore left elbow. After Santana missed a scheduled “B” game appearance Friday against Italy’s national team, the Mets said their ace would not take his turn Tuesday against St. Louis. That was to have been his first regular spring training game appearance of the year.

Dodgers, Manny appear no closer to deal (AP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers spoke to the agent for Manny Ramirez on Friday, and still no sign the sides are any closer to a deal. The Dodgers announced Thursday night that agent Scott Boras had declined the team’s latest offer to the star outfielder — a $25 million, one-year contract with a $20 million player option for 2010.

Big Unit makes spring debut with Giants (AP)

Even after more than two decades in the majors, 45-year-old Randy Johnson is being exposed to new experiences. Try a catcher attempting a straight steal of home plate in a spring training game. Kansas City’s Miguel Olivo was unable to fool Johnson with his dash Friday. The Big Unit deftly stepped off the rubber and threw home to Bengie Molina for the final out in the second inning, finishing his…

Diamondbacks’ Webb scratched from start (AP)
Arizona ace Brandon Webb was scratched from his first spring start Friday because of a sore right forearm. Webb threw off flat ground Friday morning and said his arm felt better than it had the previous day, and he expects to make his next scheduled start March 4 against Mexico in Tucson. “I ended up throwing and felt not 100 percent but 80 percent better than I did yesterday,” Webb said.

Phillies release RHP Eaton, owe him $9M (AP)
Adam Eaton’s stay with the Phillies ended Friday when the team released the right-hander, who is owed $9 million by Philadelphia. “I don’t think upset is the right word,” Eaton said. “Underachieve? Yeah. The expectations for both sides coming in were unrealized. One was achieved last year, but not in the way we thought.

Cuddyer aims for ‘08 rebound

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Michael Cuddyer has a deck of playing cards in his hands, anything can happen.

Lynn Henning

L AKELAND, Fla. — Relationships can afford to lose anything but trust. The Tigers know all about it.

I Disagree w/ Ryan Fagan’s Grades - AL West

In the SN this past week, Ryan Fagan has provided us with his opinion on each MLB team’s off-season grades due to mainly key additions and key losses of each team.

Griffey to wait another week for spring debut
G’day Junior!Ken Griffey Jr.’s first spring game in his return to the Seattle Mariners won’t come until Wednesday against the Australian national team.

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Reds’ pitching silences AL champs

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Edinson Volquez doesn’t have to pitch his way onto the Reds‘ roster this year.

Mulling over your fantasy keepers? Invest in the future
The first major decision many fantasy owners face each spring is putting together a keeper list. Most keeper leagues will have a deadline sometime in the next few weeks by which all owners will have to decide on the players they’re going to protect.

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Superstars take one last swing back home
Ken Griffey Jr. has returned to his original team, the Seattle Mariners, presumably to finish a Hall of Fame career. He joins other superstars who gave fans from their original city or team a final look.

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Camp tour: Rays

They exceeded expectations. They crashed the ball in October. They nestled into their winter basking in the sweet glow of success.

Recap: Minnesota vs.

Jeff Christy knocked in a pair of runs, as the Minnesota Twins topped the Boston Red Sox, 5-2, on the first day of spring training action.

Recap: Cleveland vs. San Francisco

Travis Ishikawa went 3-for-3 including a solo homer and a two-run home run to lift the San Francisco Giants past the Cleveland Indians, 10-7, in a Spring Training opener for both teams.

Preview: Marlins’ Maybin aims to sharpen five tools
Five-tool players are hard to come by, but the Florida Marlins have them past, present and future this spring.

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Can Angels hold off contenders in AL West

Losses: Mark Teixeira , Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland , Garret Anderson . Health watch: Kelvim Escobar , who missed 2008 after shoulder surgery, appears on the way back.

MLB Game Summary - Chicago White Sox At LA Angels Of Anaheim

Hank Conger had two of the Angels‘ 12 hits and drove in three runs, as Los Angeles downed the Chicago White Sox, 12-3, in the Cactus League opener for both clubs.

Fuentes as advertised in spring debut
Fuentes as advertised in spring debut Brian Fuentes was effective in his Angels spring debut on Thursday, and the southpaw reliever made it clear that he wants to close, not set up or become a lefty specialist.

Johnson: USA Classic’s ‘team to beat’
Johnson: USA ‘team to beat’ in Classic Japan may be the defending champions, and teams like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico may again be loaded with Major League talent, but Team USA manager Davey Johnson doesn’t want anybody to be confused going into the 2009 World Baseball Classic. “I think the United States is the team to beat,” said Johnson.

Reyes has taken to new role nicely
Reyes has taken to new role nicely Manager Jerry Manuel said Jose Reyes can be an effective run producer as a No. 3 hitter, and, in two of his first three exhibition-game swings — all swings as a No. 3 hitter — Reyes has hit home runs, one a grand slam.

Amezaga returns to Marlins lineup
Amezaga returns to Marlins lineup After two days of treatment on his right knee, Alfredo Amezaga was in the Marlins‘ lineup Friday for the first time in Grapefruit League play. The versatile infielder/center fielder is hopeful he will be able to participate for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Upton shows limitless potential
Upton shows limitless potential Justin Upton had a good year in 2008. In fact, in some ways, it was historic.

Red Sox narrow search for spring home
Sox narrow search for spring home According to a report in the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have narrowed their search to four potential Florida locations after spending two days listening to proposals from nine developers.

Lester mixing things up this spring
Lester changing things up Coming of a career-high 16 wins in 2008, Jon Lester is looking to take another leap, working on a new pitch to add to his repertoire.

Batterymates Wolf, Martin power LA
Batterymates Wolf, Martin power LA Lefty Randy Wolf retired all six batters he faced Thursday, while Russell Martin homered and drove in three runs in the Dodgers‘ 16-7 win over the Giants.

Phillies release veteran Eaton
Phillies release veteran Eaton The Phillies released veteran right-hander Adam Eaton on Friday. Eaton, who is owed $9 million by the team, went 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA in 2008.

Fuentes as advertised in spring debut
Fuentes as advertised in spring debut Brian Fuentes was effective in his Angels spring debut on Thursday, and the southpaw reliever made it clear that he wants to close, not set up or become a lefty specialist.

Red Sox narrow search for spring home
Sox narrow search for spring home According to a report in the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have narrowed their search to four potential Florida locations after spending two days listening to proposals from nine developers.

Posada making early progress
Posada making early progress The first Grapefruit League game at George M. Steinbrenner Field featured all the requisite introductions, with a marching band in the outfield, the unfurling of a large United States flag and a flyover by an AC-130U gunship just back from Iraq.

Recap: Colorado vs. Arizona

Chris Young hit a two-run homer and Augie Ojeda doubled in a run and scored another as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies, 5-3, in Grapefruit League action.

Recap: Minnesota vs.

Jeff Christy knocked in a pair of runs, as the Minnesota Twins topped the Boston Red Sox, 5-2, on the first day of spring training action.

Camp tour: Rays

They exceeded expectations. They crashed the ball in October. They nestled into their winter basking in the sweet glow of success.

Posada finds form quickly

Jorge Posada was almost useless to the Yankees by the middle of July last season.

Tribe opens new park but loses to Giants 10-7

AUDIO: Eric Wedge after the game AUDIO: Jeremy Sowers after running PICS: Fresh from Wednesday Goodyear, AZ - Travis Ishikawa went 3-for-3 including a solo homer and a two-run home run to lift the San Francisco …