Benson out for season with rotator cuff tear  —  In a sharp blow to the Orioles' 2007 hopes, right-hander Kris Benson will miss the entire season due to a partially torn rotator cuff, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Benson, 32, will require surgery to repair his injury …

Mets Have a Backup Plan for the Backup Plan  —  At least as much as the next man, I've taken it as a given that the Mets, having not signed or traded for the sort of durable starter they needed over the winter, will enter spring training facing a mounting catastrophe.

It's Truck Day  —  Today marks the unofficial start of spring training for the Red Sox: It's Truck Day at Fenway Park!  The Sox equipment truck left from Fenway Park in Boston today, bound for the team's spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla. Here, Michael Patti struggles to put the spring training banner on the van.

Marlins upset Cabrera skipped caravan stops  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Less than a week before they take him to arbitration, the Marlins delivered an early salvo at their most productive player, All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera.  —  In front of hundreds of fans and season-ticket holders during the weekend …

Joe, without a net  —  Faces what looms as last licks  —  When Joe Torre shows up in Tampa this week, he officially begins the last year of what could be his last contract managing the Yankees.  Here is what Brian Cashman, Torre's immediate boss even if he is still an underboss to George Steinbrenner, says about that:

Better Days in Wrigleyville  —  I met a Cubs fan recently, and not the kind of fan I'm used to meeting.  This person doesn't know the first thing about VORP or marginal value or even OBP.  She probably couldn't name five current Cubs, and if you asked, Sammy Sosa might be one of the names she gave you.

Walker signs Minor League deal  —  Veteran reliever will face battle to earn final bullpen job  —  TORONTO — The Blue Jays are giving Pete Walker another chance.  On Monday, Toronto signed the 37-year-old reliever to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Mauer Through 2010  —  We're sadly still destined for two straight years of hearing and reading about how Johan Santana may leave Minnesota at some point, but for a while at least we've been spared from similarly premature talk about Joe Mauer's possible departure.

Rivera's future is uncertain  —  Legendary closer's contract to expire after 2007 season  —  TAMPA — Mariano Rivera acknowledged the absence of longtime teammate Bernie Williams on Monday, calling it "strange."  —  Could players be saying the same thing about the Yankees closer one year from now?

Positional Health Reports  —  Introduction  —  For the past four seasons, I have written team health reports in the preseason, giving fans and fantasy players an advance look at the risks their teams face from injury.  Those reports have been among the most accurate available and …

Will anyone win 20 games in 2007?  —  Santana, Oswalt, Wang lead list of potential big winners  —  Something happened last season that had never happened in a full Major League season — neither league had a 20-game winner.  —  There have been a few seasons without 20-game winners …