Paps to the Pen  —  No it wasn't a rash decision brought about by uncertainty.  I can promise you there were many meetings involving many people that occurred before this took place.  —  Paps wanted to close because that's where he felt he helped the team best, but he had no issues or problems being a starter either.

McCann's the man for Braves  —  All-Star catcher signs six-year, $27.8 million contract extension  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann has lived in Atlanta throughout most of his life, and it appears he'll continue playing there through at least the end of the 2012 season.

Schilling unfiltered  —  Ace pulls no punches in joining baseball blogosphere  —  More than any other sport, baseball has always produced great writing, but the immediacy of blogs are ideally suited to baseball's long season.  "This ain't football," Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver once said, "We do this every day."

Cardinals manager arrested for DUI in Florida  —  JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested early Thursday and charged with misdemeanor DUI after he was found asleep at the wheel in his running SUV at a green light.  —  La Russa's SUV was stopped at a light that …

Double Steals And More  —  "I've never really bunted early.  I'm going to run, hit-and-run, steal, double steal, but I don't like idea of bunting early in game.  Late in game with a 3-2 lead, 4-2 lead, you get the first couple of runners on, you're looking to tack on, I like the bunt then."

Mauer's injury not considered serious  —  Twins catcher Joe Mauer, last season's American League batting champion, has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left fibula.  It's considered a precursor to a stress fracture, but team officials are confident he will be playing again next week.

Yankees Want Rodriguez to Stay, but Won't Sweeten His Deal  —  Alex Rodriguez has often said he is proud of his contract, and it is easy to see why.  It is not only the richest deal in baseball history, but it provides him a chance to make still more money for even more years.

Pitching cut could make room for Anderson  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — At least one important decision has been made concerning the 25-man roster, and no one should be happier than outfielder  —  Brian Anderson.  —  White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Wednesday that unless there's an injury …

Berroa may lose his job  —  Royals officials are believed to be looking for an alternative at shortstop.  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. |  Shortstop Angel Berroa's ongoing struggles have the Royals working overtime to find an alternative.  Club officials are believed to have put together of list …

Furcal injures ankle in collision  —  Dodgers shortstop collides with Repko in pursuit of blooper  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal was carted off the field with a left ankle injury sustained when he collided with center fielder Jason Repko in the first inning of Thursday's game against Baltimore.

Sosa remains Cub at heart  —  Fans' reaction mixed, but 'I'm so grateful for that city,' Rangers' No. 21 says of Chicago  —  MESA, Ariz. — Sammy Sosa got warm welcomes from Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, team president John McDonough and pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the field before his first game at HoHoKam Park in three years.