Source: Yanks tell Cano to pull out of winter ball … ORLANDO — The New York Yankees told second baseman Robinson Cano to stop playing winter ball, his Dominican Republic team told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday.  —  “The Yankees sent a letter to Cano to stop playing, but they didn't offer …

Erstad signs one-year deal with Astros  —  Veteran to serve as lefty bat and backup outfielder off bench  —  HOUSTON — Outfielder Darin Erstad has reached an agreement with the Astros on a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives, general manager Ed Wade confirmed on Thursday.

Castillo will get competition from Wood for third base  —  Jose Castillo had one goal in mind as he evaluated his opportunities for next season: Become an everyday player again.  —  The Pirates' second baseman from 2004-06, Castillo will get that chance as a third baseman with the Marlins …

Beauchamp, ex-Braves player and coach, dies  —  Former Braves player and coach Jim Beauchamp died Tuesday — Christmas Day — after a long battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.  He was 68.  —  Beauchamp was the bench coach for the Braves from 1991 to '98, a part of the team's World Series championship in 1995.

Teams pitch Santana deals but nothing connecting … The Twins continue to stay in contact with the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Mariners about a Johan Santana deal.  But those talks have moved so slowly it's now possible a Santana trade may not get done “for several weeks,” according to one source with knowledge of the discussions.

TA: Breakout  —  Making Waves in the Wests  —  American League  —  National League  —  Signed RHP Carlos Silva to a four-year, $48 million contract.  —  The challenge for the Mariners this winter was to find that starting pitcher who could help pick up King Felix and provide …

Congressman Shays blasts Selig on steroids policy  —  WASHINGTON — Rep. Christopher Shays, a member of a congressional panel probing the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, said Thursday there is little to be gained by calling players to testify at hearings scheduled for next month.

Webb-Haren form most formidable duo  —  Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the new book, “Winners: How Good Baseball Teams Become Great Ones” (Available now at Amazon.com).  —  The recent trade of Dan Haren to the Arizona Diamondbacks has revived …

Pirates' 2007 marked by inconsistency  —  End-of-year changes come after season of growing pains  —  PITTSBURGH — High expectations followed the Pirates as the season started, and with a series sweep to open the season, there were a few mumblings that maybe this year would be different than the past 14.

Prior to pitch for the Padres  —  Local product agrees to incentive-laden, one-year deal  —  Mark Prior was one of the National League's premier pitchers in 2003.  —  In just his second major league season, Prior posted an 18-6 record and a 2.43 earned-run average for the Chicago Cubs …