Ohka out of Pirates' plan, but Armas in  —  Team talking with former Nationals pitcher  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  As the field of right-handed starters in free agency keeps dwindling for the Pirates — their talks with Tomo Ohka suddenly broke off yesterday …

Erstad could still return to Angels  —  Free agent Darin Erstad still could return to the Angels as a backup first baseman and outfielder, but the Marlins and White Sox are offering him greater playing time, according to his agent, Greg Genske.  —  The Cubs, who remain interested in Erstad …

Mailbag: How will the Nats fare in 2007?  —  Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Do you have any predictions on how the Nationals will play in 2007?  — Mark R., Ottawa, Canada  —  It's too early, Mark.  Before I make a prediction, I want to see how the …

Athletics agree to terms with Justin Duchscherer  —  A's pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 16  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics announced Monday the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on one-year contract for the 2007 season, avoiding arbitration.

Dodgers, Rudy Seanez agree to terms  —  Right-hander Rudy Seanez and the Dodgers have agreed to a minor league contract that could pay the veteran relief pitcher $1.2 million if he meets performance incentives.  —  Seanez, a 15-year veteran who split last season with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres …

It's official: Yanks to host '08 All-Star game  —  After three years of discussion and planning, the Yankees, Major League Baseball and New York City are ready to formalize one of the area's worst-kept secrets.  —  At a news conference a week from Tuesday, two people familiar …

Stats Geek: Why not make Pirates' lineup top heavy?  —  By Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Adam LaRoche is no superstar, but the fanfare for his arrival is deserved.  LaRoche is the prototypical Lefty McThump the slugging-deprived Pirates needed, and you can pencil him in for 25 to 30 home runs for the next few years.

Rejuvenated Sosa poised for comeback  —  He's hit 588 career home runs.  Only Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays have more.  He's also driven in nearly 1,600 runs and has a respectable career batting average of .274.  —  On top of that, he's the only player in baseball history …

Lopez, Nationals avoid arbitration  —  Last week, infielder Felipe Lopez and the Nationals exchanged arbitration figures, with Lopez wanting $4.1 million and the Nationals offering him $3.7 million.  The two parties reached a compromised when Lopez agreed to a one year, $3.9 million contract on Monday night.

Mets host blood drive at Shea  —  Club draws hundreds to event held at Diamond Club  —  NEW YORK — The Diamond Club at Shea Stadium looked like a hospital emergency ward on Monday, with nurses scrambling around attending to the constant flow of patients filling two dozen gurneys.

Mailbag: What's going on with Gibbons?  —  Orioles reporter Fordin answers fans' questions  —  What are the team's long-term plans for Jay Gibbons?  I have always appreciated his bat and defense as well as his ability to fight through injuries.  —  Baltimore signed Gibbons …

McPherson opts for back surgery  —  Procedure to remove disk will likely sideline infielder 6 months  —  Dallas McPherson will have surgery Tuesday to repair a lower-back condition that has not improved through rehab.  —  The power-hitting third baseman will undergo a procedure to remove …

Twins' mastermind has enviable track record  —  On June 11, the Minnesota Twins were off.  Francisco Liriano had blanked Baltimore the day before, and the Boston Red Sox, as fearsome as any team in the majors at that time, were due the next day for a three-game series.

Lawrence signs with Rockies  —  Former Padres pitcher agrees to one-year contract  —  DENVER (AP) — Right-hander Brian Lawrence, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies that guarantees him $750,000.