Sources: Braves to acquire CF Kotsay from A's … The Atlanta Braves have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire center fielder Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics, filling the hole created by the departure of Andruw Jones.  The deal will be finalized once Kotsay passes a physical for Atlanta …

For McNamee and Clemens, a New Dispute  —  Brian McNamee told federal authorities last summer that Roger Clemens developed an abscess on his buttocks about the same time that McNamee said he was giving him steroid injections during the 1998 season, according to a lawyer with knowledge of details of the case.

Mets' Minaya goes back to work on Santana  —  Mets general manager Omar Minaya returned Friday from his goodwill visit to Israel and spent most of the day getting up to speed with the staff members who stayed behind.  At the top of Minaya's to-do list in the five weeks that remain …

Niekro surprised by Clemens' Hall brush off  —  Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro said he was surprised at Roger Clemens' claim that he didn't care whether he someday joins Niekro in Cooperstown.  —  The embattled Clemens went on the offensive in the past week — first in an interview with …

Joba may start in bullpen again  —  The Yankees envision Joba Chamberlain as a starter and they are eager to see what his blazing fastball and electric slider can do as part of their rotation.  But the Bombers also are concerned about how many innings the 22-year-old will throw next season …

Rangers sign Guardado, Wright  —  Texas secures pitching depth with veteran closer, reliever  —  ARLINGTON — Left-hander Eddie Guardado is on board and Jamey Wright is coming back.  The Rangers bullpen will be full of competition and intrigue when pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 14.

Cordero Avoids Arbitration, Agrees to a One-Year Deal  —  Chad Cordero knows firsthand the angst an arbitration hearing can bring, so the Washington Nationals closer was both relieved and happy yesterday when he agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.2 million contract that means he'll have a peaceful spring training.

Clemens safe at home in Texas  —  WACO, Texas — A headline from the Waco Tribune-Herald from Thursday read, “Will Circus Follow Clemens to Waco?"  —  The answer earlier today was no.  —  Roger Clemens spoke to members of the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association for almost 90 minutes …

Starting Concerns: Fit for a Weaver?  —  TOWER GROVE — Unless the Cardinals add a starting pitcher in the coming weeks, they will arrive at spring training with as much hope as guaranteed innings in their starting rotation.  —  And if the past season taught us anything, hope doesn't make his scheduled starts.

Autograph session to benefit the Red Sox Foundation scheduled for Monday, Jan. 14, at official Red Sox team store  —  Players participating in 2008 Red Sox Rookie Program expected to attend signing  —  BOSTON — An autograph session to benefit the Red Sox Foundation will take place on Monday …

Cards, Blue Jays set to swap third basemen  —  Scott Rolen is getting a ticket out of St. Louis.  Ken Rosenthal says the Cards are close to landing Troy Glaus in a trade with the Jays.

Cameron, Brewers reach agreement  —  Center fielder's arrival means position changes for Braun, Hall  —  The Milwaukee Brewers have a tentative agreement on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron, pending a physical early next week.  —  Brewers general manager Doug …

Pirates minicamp: Bullpen has many holes, few answers  —  GM says Grabow, Marte will share late-inning duties  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates, it is safe to say, feel fairly sound about most positions.  They like the starters, they have a firm idea of their everyday eight, they can pretty much project a bench and ...