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Gregg beats out Marmol for closer role with Cubs
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella picked Kevin Gregg to be the team’s closer heading into the season.

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Rangers still unsure on OF Andruw Jones (AP)
Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday the competition between outfielders Andruw Jones and Frank Catalanotto for Texas’ lone position opening may not be settled by the time the team breaks camp Thursday. “It’s a tough one to call,” said Washington, adding that he has no timetable. Texas released left-hander Jimmy Gobble from his minor league contract Monday, thinning the competition for three…

Former Reds P Browning arrested (AP)
Jail records show Cincinnati Reds minor league pitching coach Tom Browning has been charged with nonpayment of child support. The former Reds star, who threw a perfect game in 1988, was arrested on Friday. Browning was drafted by the Reds in 1982. After two years in the minors, he was called up in September 1984.

Cardinals send down Perez, Motte the likely closer
The St. Louis Cardinals reassigned Chris Perez to the minor leagues following their 2-1 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday, …

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Sources: Angels tried, but couldn’t move fifth outfielder
The Angels owe their fifth OF $33 million. Naturally, they’re trying to deal Gary Matthews Jr. But where? Ken Rosenthal tells you.

Analyzing the big decisions of spring
David Price got the last out of the ALCS. He also got sent down. Dayn Perry examines this and the other big decisions of spring.

Yankees tab Brett Gardner to start in center field
Brett Gardner has won the Yankees‘ starting center field job.

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Chamberlain arraignment in Nebraska rescheduled
New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain’s arraignment on a drunken-driving charge has been rescheduled a fourth time.

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Japan natives Matsuzaka, Kawakami sharp (AP)

Kenshin Kawakami relished the opportunity to match up against fellow countryman Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka allowed two hits and an earned run over five innings in his return to the Boston Red Sox from the World Baseball Classic. Kawakami gave up a two-run homer to Rocco Baldelli for his only runs, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Red Sox 4-3 in 10 innings on Monday.

Pirates send top prospect McCutchen to minors
The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent center fielder Andrew McCutchen to minor league camp and optioned infielder Brian Bixler to Triple-A Indianapolis.

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A-Rod’s hip making progress, move to Tampa by April 13
Alex Rodriguez is making progress in rehab after hip surgery and could soon move his workouts from Colorado to the New York Yankees‘ spring training complex.

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Tigers place Willis, Zumaya on disabled list
The Detroit Tigers on Sunday placed left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder and put oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya on the list with a sore right shoulder.

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Hurlers on the Hall of Fame borderline
Curt Schilling’s recent retirement immediately sparked the debate over his Hall of Fame qualifications. In the opinion of many fans, the righthander stacks up favorably against those already in Cooperstown. Other fans believe his entire body of work falls short.

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Yankees tab Brett Gardner to start in center field
Brett Gardner has won the Yankees‘ starting center field job.

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Selig appoints committee to analyze A’s (AP)
Frustrated at the Oakland Athletics‘ inability to get a new ballpark, baseball commissioner Bud Selig has appointed a committee to analyze the team’s hopes of obtaining a stadium in its current territory. Selig met Saturday with Oakland’s management at spring training in Phoenix. His announcement Monday follows the team’s decision Feb.

Hurlers on the Hall of Fame borderline
Curt Schilling’s recent retirement immediately sparked the debate over his Hall of Fame qualifications. In the opinion of many fans, the righthander stacks up favorably against those already in Cooperstown. Other fans believe his entire body of work falls short.

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Gregg beats out Marmol for closer role with Cubs
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella picked Kevin Gregg to be the team’s closer heading into the season.

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Slumping Ryan may lose Jays’ closer role (AP)

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston expressed concern about closer B.J. Ryan after he pitched a shaky eighth inning in Toronto’s 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday. Ryan gave up one run and two hits, including Angel Berroa’s RBI double to left-center. The left-hander, who skipped the World Baseball Classic to work on his mechanics, has a 9.00 ERA this spring.

With 499 homers, Sheffield cut by Tigers (AP)

Gary Sheffield’s next home run will be his 500th in the major leagues. The question is: What uniform will he be wearing when he hits it? The Detroit Tigers released the nine-time All-Star on Tuesday, leaving him without a team as he closes in on becoming the 25th player to reach the milestone. Sheffield left camp as the rest of his former teammates were reporting for an afternoon game against the…

Pirates send top prospect McCutchen to minors
The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent center fielder Andrew McCutchen to minor league camp and optioned infielder Brian Bixler to Triple-A Indianapolis.

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Rangers know their season fate rests on mound
There’s little mystery about the Texas Rangers.”Everybody in the world knows we can hit,” manager Ron Washington says.

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2009 Baseball Preview: AL West team preview capsules

Teams are listed in order of finish last year. 2008: 100-62, first place. Manager: Mike Scioscia .

AL West not at all the best

Looking at these projected standings , Dave Cameron notes just how weak the AL West might be this season.

AL West prevew: Angels still heavenly

Los Angeles dominated this division last season, and there’s no reason to expect anything different in 2009.

Hamels improving, but out of opener
Hamels improving, but out of opener Cole Hamels is out for Opening Night at Citizens Bank Park. Brett Myers or Joe Blanton is in. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee said Monday afternoon they have not decided who will pitch Sunday against the Braves, but that it would be Myers or Blanton.

Mariners bat Ichiro third as experiment
Mariners bat Ichiro third The large lineup card posted on one of the double doors leading into the clubhouse caused some double-takes on Monday morning.

Roster decisions loom for Astros
Roster decisions loom for Astros With six days remaining until Opening Day, the Astros still have a couple of roster decisions to make regarding their infield.

Tigers acquire Anderson from Braves
Tigers acquire Anderson from Braves The Tigers acquired Josh Anderson from the Braves for Minor League pitching prospect Rudy Darrow on Monday. Darrow will be assigned to Atlanta’s Double-A affiliate in Mississippi.

Pirates send top prospect McCutchen to minors
The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent center fielder Andrew McCutchen to minor league camp and optioned infielder Brian Bixler to Triple-A Indianapolis.

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Q&A with White Sox skipper Guillen

Take a team with massive long ball power, mix in some speed, the ability to catch the ball as a unit and a solid group of pitchers and what do you have? Well, Ozzie Guillen hopes that description adds up to at least another American League Central title for the White Sox, what would be the manager’s third in six years on the job.

Kansas City Royals 2009 Preview

For the first time in a long time there is some optimism surrounding the Kansas City Royals.

Ex-President Bush to throw out first pitch for Rangers’ opener
Former President George W. Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day for the Texas Rangers.

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Cleveland Indians 2009 Preview

After coming within a game of reaching the World Series in 2007, optimism was abound for the Cleveland Indians entering last season.

Royals hope new faces take them to new places in ‘09
The Kansas City Royals have a new ballpark this season sort of. The same goes for the team that will play on that field.

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With prospect Price in minors, Rays seek a fifth starter
The American League champions are feeling pretty comfortable about their pitching these days.

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Gregg beats out Marmol for closer role with Cubs
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella picked Kevin Gregg to be the team’s closer heading into the season.

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Tejada gets probation for misleading Congress
With an apology to Congress, baseball and the kids who looked up to him, All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada received a sentence of one year probation Thursday for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

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AL West prevew: Angels still heavenly

Los Angeles dominated this division last season, and there’s no reason to expect anything different in 2009.

Q&A with White Sox skipper Guillen

Take a team with massive long ball power, mix in some speed, the ability to catch the ball as a unit and a solid group of pitchers and what do you have? Well, Ozzie Guillen hopes that description adds up to at least another American League Central title for the White Sox, what would be the manager’s third in six years on the job.

Matthews remains unsatisfied with role
Matthews remains unsatisfied with role Gary Matthews Jr. addressed the media on Monday, reiterating his position as an unsatisfied fifth wheel in the Angels‘ loaded outfield following a meeting on Sunday with manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Tony Reagins.

Hoffman placed on 15-day disabled list
Hoffman placed on 15-day disabled list Trevor Hoffman was placed on the 15-day DL Monday, retroactive to March 27, with a strained oblique muscle on the right side of his ribcage. He will miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

Get ready for the real thing
Get ready for the real thing Beginning Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m. ET, when the Atlanta Braves take on the soon-to-be-defending World Series champion Phillies in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, real baseball is back, and each game counts until the final out of the World Series.

McCutchen made Bucs’ decision hard
McCutchen made Bucs’ decision hard Bucs prospect Andrew McCutchen, optioned to Triple-A on Monday, made management’s decision to start him in the Minors much tougher than anticipated and has the organization already reevaluating how far away he really is.

Berkman hits off tee, may play this week
Berkman may play in game this week Most of Lance Berkman’s teammates traveled to Clearwater, Fla., on Monday to play the Phillies, but the Puma stayed behind in Kissimmee to receive treatment on his sore left shoulder.

Tigers acquire Anderson from Braves
Tigers acquire Anderson from Braves The Tigers acquired Josh Anderson from the Braves for Minor League pitching prospect Rudy Darrow on Monday. Darrow will be assigned to Atlanta’s Double-A affiliate in Mississippi.

Dice-K finds rhythm in first start
Dice-K finds rhythm in first start He was out of their hands and their sights for the first six weeks of Spring Training, so, yes, the Red Sox were a little nervous about Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Morales finishes just shy of cycle in win
Morales finishes just shy of cycle in win Jeff Weaver pitched six solid innings and Kendry Morales finished a homer shy of a cycle, as the Angels battered the ball in a 13-3 win over the Sox on Monday.

Gardner not taking new job for granted
Gardner not taking new job for granted Brett Gardner is proving tough to crack. Even the Yankees‘ decision to name him as their Opening Day center fielder did not interrupt his nose-to-the-grindstone demeanor.

Willis placed on 15-day DL
Willis to focus on health The long-speculated decision on Dontrelle Willis ended up being an unexpected trip to the disabled list. The Tigers placed the former 22-game winner on the 15-day DL Sunday morning with anxiety disorder.

Weaver scratched from Monday outing
Weaver scratched from Monday outing Jeff Weaver was scratched from pitching in Monday’s Dodgers exhibition game with Oakland and instead sent to a Minor League game, but it’s a good thing.

Rave reviews for Citi Field
Rave reviews for Citi Field Citi Field hosted a contest between St. John’s and Georgetown on Sunday. It was the ballpark’s first game and offered a sneak peak at the experience fans can expect at the Mets‘ new home.

Smoltz catches up with ex-teammates
Smoltz catches up with ex-teammates John Smoltz wasn’t ready to pitch when he and his Red Sox teammates visited Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex on Monday, but he made the trip to spend some time with his former Braves teammates before going to enjoy a round of golf with Tiger Woods.

Berkman hits off tee, may play Tuesday
Berkman may play in game Tuesday Most of Lance Berkman’s teammates traveled to Clearwater, Fla., on Monday to play the Phillies, but the Puma stayed behind in Kissimmee to receive treatment on his sore left shoulder.

Gregg tabbed as Cubs’ new closer
Gregg tabbed as Cubs‘ new closer Cubs manager Lou Piniella annointed Kevin Gregg the closer on Sunday and said he’ll keep Carlos Marmol in his same setup role.

Dellucci put on DL with strained calf
Dellucci put on DL with strained calf David Dellucci was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. Trevor Crowe will assume Dellucci’s spot on the roster.

Edwin Jackson shows ‘electric stuff’ for Tigers

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells has taken 18 regular season at-bats against Edwin Jackson.

DODGERS: Pitching is cause for some concern

He’s not losing any sleep just yet. It’s still the end of March, after all. But as Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti looks out of his office and to the practice fields at the Dodgers‘ new spring training facility at Camelback Ranch, his greatest concern is the team’s young, work-in-progress pitching staff.

Know Your Enemy: Cubs’ American League Central Opponents

I’m leaving the Royals out of this AL Central preview, not because I have anything against them, but because the Cubs won’t play them in this year’s tour through the division in interleague play.

Red Sox rotation still gold standard in American League

Team USA was competitive in its World Baseball Classic semifinal until manager Davey Johnson either forgot or ignored the single-elimination nature of the event.

5 Days You Want to Be at Citi Field

TODAY: Lucky fans with tickets to the St. John’s-Georgetown University baseball game get the first public look at the new stadium.

World Series-champion Phillies are thinking about becoming repeat

While delirious fans celebrated the city’s first major sports championship in a quarter century, post-season hero Cole Hamels was looking ahead.

Sox Could Be Top of Heap or Out of Luck

JUST about everywhere you look with the Red Sox, you see the potential for greatness, but also some downside.

NL Central should be up for grabs in ‘09

Everyone but the Cubs will be hoping for a closer race in the National League Central this season, and there’s a good chance they’ll get their wish.

Soria, Hamilton are exceptions to the Rule 5

The franchise that is historically starved for offense ended up with the pitcher.