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 …

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 …

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.

A Time of Rebirth for Church  —  Nats Outfielder: 'This Is the Year I Prove Everybody Wrong'  —  Late this afternoon, after the final workout of his offseason, Ryan Church and his wife will climb into his gray 2006 Range Rover near their home outside Cleveland, point the car south …

Sosa promises vintage Sammy  —  Slugger returns with confidence that he can perform at high level  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - If Sammy Sosa can still wield a bat anything like he can wield a microphone, the Rangers will have hit the lottery with Tuesday's announcement …

Weaver's agent puts the blame on Cardinals  —  The Seattle Mariners officially announced Jeff Weaver is the newest member of their starting rotation Tuesday, barely two weeks after Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had described the free-agent righthander as potentially "the final piece" …

Joining China to Find a Yao Who Can Hit  —  Two of the world's most closely watched empires signed a deal here Tuesday.  China wants a half-decent national baseball team.  The Yankees want a toe in the Chinese sports market, and the chance to find — better yet, develop — Major League Baseball's Yao Ming.

Linebrink-Rowand deal off for now  —  The Padres have at least temporarily tabled a trade offer from Philadelphia that would have brought outfielder Aaron Rowand to the Padres for relief pitcher Scott Linebrink.  —  "It might be something we discuss again later this spring," Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday.

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 …

2007 Preview Part 1  —  Chris Duffy must be a consistent offensive contributor for the Pirates to win.  —  This is the first part of a running season preview in which I look at things that I think have to happen in order for the Pirates to be a decent baseball team in 2007 and decide how likely I think they are to happen.

Endy Chavez: Venezuelan Idol  —  Endy Chavez didn't intend on joining Magallanes in the Caribbean Series anyway, not with spring training approaching.  —  But it turns out the Mets outfielder's Venezuelan winter-league team isn't going to compete against the Dominican Republic …

Helton's goal still a title in Colorado  —  First baseman planning to put trade talk in past  —  Todd Helton's goal for the past several seasons has been to finish his career where it began - with the Rockies.  —  That's still the case.  —  Even in 2001, when he signed a nine-year contract extension …