Hitch was in his plan  —  Epstein took a wife, left media in dark  —  Theo Epstein is a married man.  —  The Red Sox general manager threw a shutout at the paparazzi, gossip columnists, nosy sportswriters, celebrity bloggers, and any other potential wedding crashers by sneaking off earlier …

Jays take chance on vet Zambrano  —  Injured starter not expected to challenge in Spring  —  TORONTO — Victor Zambrano had one major need: a team willing to give him some more time.  He is eight months removed from surgery to repair his right elbow and will likely need most of Spring Training to continue his rehabilitation.

Bonds gives Giants right to terminate deal  —  NEW YORK — Barry Bonds gave the San Francisco Giants the right to terminate his $15.8 million, one-year contract if he is indicted.  —  The unusual provision, included in the deal that was completed Monday night, protects the team in case Bonds …

Moose pitches advice to Pavano  —  The Yankees are counting on Carl Pavano to occupy one of the five spots in the rotation, at least until Roger Clemens makes up his mind about his future.  Mike Mussina believes that Pavano will have more to do this spring than to prepare on the field …

Chris Kline's Winter Wonders  —  The 49th Caribbean Series begins Friday as the best clubs from Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will battle it out for the 2007 title.  —  Puerto Rico is this year's host nation, and all games will be played at Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium …

Sosa signs, says he won't let Rangers down  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — Sammy Sosa is back in baseball — and back to fielding the same steroids questions that dogged him when he left the game more than a year ago.  —  Sosa and the Texas Rangers agreed to a minor league contract Tuesday …

Chase won't take foot off the pedal  —  CHASE UTLEY was on first base when Ryan Howard singled to right.  Utley raced around second and, barely hesitating, dug for third.  When he arrived, he threw himself at the base in a headfirst sprawl.  —  The ball bounced off his back.

Plunking Explosion  —  Steve Treder over at The Hardball Times has a good article today on hit batsmen and how it has changed over time.  He reviews many of the arguments that I discussed in my series last summer...  - Schrodinger's Bat: Beautiful Theories and Ugly Facts

Greatest hits, in the palm of your hand … It's hard to say exactly which moment it was that we realized the iPod had taken over our entire civilization.  But it might have been this one:  —  The day we first heard, last summer, that baseball players were using their iPods …

Arm soreness bothering Johnson, Sanchez  —  JUPITER — Less than three weeks before pitchers report to spring training, two Marlins starters are complaining about pain when they throw.  —  Right-handers Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez said Monday they expect to be available for the start of the season April 2.

Wilson: Criticism of Castillo intended as challenge  —  Shortstop says teammate's talent could elevate Pirates  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Jack Wilson was taking none of it back.  —  The Pirates' outspoken shortstop stood by every syllable of the critical comments …