Cabrera set to ink Tigers' biggest pact: $153.3 million … KISSIMMEE, Florida — Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers reached a preliminary agreement Saturday on an eight-year, $153.3 million contract extension, a source close to Cabrera told ESPNdeportes.com on condition of anonymity.

Lopez to retire, ending Braves comeback attempt  —  Viera, Fla. — Javy Lopez's attempted comeback is over, and apparently so is his career.  —  A few hours after he was cut from the Braves' camp roster Saturday morning, Lopez told general manager Frank Wren he would retire.

Red Sox compete in Far East division  —  TOKYO - They did everything to make it feel like home.  Played the theme song from “Cheers” and sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and subjected the poor locals to “Sweet Caroline” in the eighth inning.  Were this anywhere but Japan …

Minor League Report: Duo remains  —  Kershaw, DeWitt still in camp with a week left in Spring Training  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Joe Torre had heard all about the Dodgers' loaded farm system.  Now that he's seen many of the prospects play, was the buzz legit?  —  “It's right on,” said Torre.

Robinson comes up stiff, too  —  TAMPA - Robinson Cano was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup with back stiffness, but he plans to be at second base for Sunday's game against the Pirates in Bradenton.  —  Cano said he woke up yesterday with some stiffness in the middle of his back …

Granderson hit by pitch, should be OK  —  Tigers outfielder to have precautionary X-rays on right hand  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson planned on having precautionary X-rays on his right hand after being hit by a pitch Saturday afternoon, but he is expected to be fine.

Niemann sent down to Triple-A Durham  —  Leaves Rays with four options to fill three spots in rotation  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Jeff Niemann has been optioned to Triple-A Durham, leaving four pitchers to fill three slots in the Rays' starting rotation.  —  “I felt like I threw the ball pretty well …

'PEN DOOR OPEN  —  JOBA WILL ESCAPE TO ROTATION BY SUMMER  —  JOBA Chamberlain is going to be a starter this season.  Yankees officials still are privately saying that this is the plan, to make the transition during the 2008 season, not some distant date.

Nathan reportedly near new deal  —  Agent in Florida to visit with clients, negotiate with Twins  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Closer Joe Nathan said earlier this week he was optimistic he'll sign a contract extension with the Twins.  —  On Saturday, the indication from those with knowledge …

Q&A with Keith Law, ESPN Senior Writer and Master Chef  —  Jake: First off, for those who don't know who you are, who is Keith Law?  —  Keith: I'm Batman.  —  Or, more accurately, I'm a senior baseball writer for ESPN.com and ESPN Scouts Inc. My mandate is to provide scouting-based analyses …

Piniella continues to ponder every possibility with his Cubs lineup  —  But Soriano won't be leading off  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Pat Pieper, the old Cubs public-address announcer, used to instruct fans to get their pencils and scorecards ready so he could give them the correct lineup for “today's game.”