First-round venues announced for WBC in 2009  —  Mexico City, Tokyo, San Juan, Toronto earn the nods  —  TORONTO (AP) — Mexico City, San Juan, Tokyo and Toronto were selected on Monday to host first-round games during the second World Baseball Classic in 2009.

Rangers to give Patterson Minors deal  —  Texas hopes former Nats pitcher can rebound at Triple-A  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers are close to signing right-handed pitcher John Patterson, who was released by the Washington Nationals earlier this week.  —  The Rangers have a set rotation …

Tigers give 3B Cabrera 8 years, $152M  —  DETROIT (AP)—Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers have reached a preliminary agreement on a $152.3 million, eight-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal.  —  The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the contract was not yet final.

Redding injures back, leaves game  —  Right-hander suffers back spasms, listed as day to day  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Tim Redding left Sunday's game against the Marlins because of muscle spasms in the middle of his back.  He is listed as day to day.

AL West Preview  —  Two months ago I thought this division would be a cake walk for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (LAnaheim Angels), but now I'm not so sure.  Not only do the injuries to the Angels front line pitching hurt the team, but I get the feeling people are underestimating that Seattle Mariners.

Brewers' Capuano faces season-ending surgery  —  PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano was told Sunday that he has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow and will probably need Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career.  —  The 29-year-old Capuano injured his elbow …

Randolph announces rotation  —  Manager Willie Randolph just announced his first four starters: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez and John Maine.  —  He said neither Orlando Hernandez nor Mike Pelfrey distinguished themselves as far as nailing down the fifth starter role …

PIRATES 8, YANKEES 0  —  Yankees at the plate: With most of the team's starters not making the trip south, the Yankees didn't have much going at the plate all afternoon.  Hideki Matsui and Chris Woodward were the only starters to get a hit against Pirates lefty Paul Maholm.

DiMaggio to Mantle to Williams to, er, Gardner?  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Brett Gardner envisions himself as the center fielder of the future for the Yankees.  About a millisecond after Gardner was asked if he could see himself starting in center for a team that has a crowded, mostly well-paid outfield, he said, “Absolutely.”

Another grand slam by Drew leads Red Sox to win over Yomiuri  —  TOKYO — This grand slam meant far less to J.D. Drew than his last one.  —  Still, his second homer in two exhibition games was a good sign that he's ready for a strong start to his second season with the Boston Red Sox beginning Tuesday night …

UNLIKE TORRE, GIRARDI FEELING THE BEAT IN CLUBHOUSE  —  Now here is a real difference between Joe Torre and Joe Girardi.  The perception is that Girardi's camp is different than Torre's.  However, bench coach Rob Thomson ran Torre's camp and does the same thing for Girardi, so there is very little difference.