Braves look to strengthen bullpen with deal  —  The Pirates finally are on the verge of obtaining first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Braves, but the price won't simply be left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez.  —  The Braves also will receive Class A shortstop Brent Lillibridge …

Bonds backs McGwire, Rose for Hall  —  In the shadows of Barry Bonds endorsing the Hall of Fame induction of Mark McGwire and Pete Rose, baseball owners appear to have little interest in pursuing stricter penalties for amphetamines use, even after Bonds reportedly failed a drug test last year.

After Traveling, Nats Sign Four Venezuelan Teenagers  —  The Washington Nationals' aggressive mining of the international talent market continued yesterday with the signing of four Venezuelan teenagers, days after two team executives traveled to the country on a scouting trip and only a week …

Jays ink Fasano to Minor League deal  —  Veteran catcher realizes he'll likely begin season at Triple-A  —  TORONTO — Sal Fasano understands that he might not make Toronto's Opening Day roster.  That didn't stop the free-agent catcher from signing with the Blue Jays, though.

Dodgers sign pitcher Tsao, a former Rockies prospect  —  The Dodgers have reached an agreement with pitcher Chin-Hui Tsao, the top prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization before injuries derailed his progress.  —  A contract is contingent on Tsao passing a physical once he obtains …

Rox remain keen on Lawrence  —  The Rockies could find out Thursday if starter Brian Lawrence accepts their counter-offer.  Seattle, however, has emerged as the slight favorite, while Pittsburgh promised to make a new proposal Thursday.  After losing out on reliever Chris Reitsma to the Mariners …

Nationals set to add vet Womack  —  Longtime utilityman can play multiple positions  —  WASHINGTON — Looking to improve their bench, the Nationals are set to sign infielder/outfielder Tony Womack to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training, MLB.com has been told.

Rangers see Sosa as a middle man  —  Rangers manager Ron Washington and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo caution that Sammy Sosa won't be awarded a roster spot simply based on a resume that includes 588 career home runs.  —  But the new manager was impressed enough by what he saw Monday …

Sox dealing with Pena, Donnelly  —  The Red Sox [team stats] have avoided making a single arbitration hearing appearance since Theo Epstein took over as general manager, and it does not appear that the club will be attending one anytime soon.  —  The Sox and their two arbitration-eligible players …

MLB considers adding playoff off-day  —  Proposal involves extra day before Game 5 of Division Series  —  PHOENIX — Major League Baseball officials are discussing the possibility of scheduling an off-day prior to a deciding Game 5 in the Division Series, Bob DuPuy, MLB's president …