Angels' Escobar has torn shoulder  —  The pitcher says he might face surgery that would force him to miss the season or, worse, end his career.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Pitcher Kelvim Escobar, an 18-game winner last season, revealed this morning that he has a tear in his shoulder …

Cubs opening with Cedeno, Fontenot  —  By Paul Sullivan, 11:23 a.m.; UPDATE: 12:15  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ronny Cedeno is in.  Alex Cintron is out.  —  That's the word from Lou Piniella at Cubs camp Wednesday as Cubs players packed their belongings onto the equipment truck to be shipped back to Chicago for the regular season.

SportsBiz: Jeter, A-Rod top baseball list  —  New York's dynamic duo are tops, but baseball stars still lag behind  —  New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, left, and Derek Jeter have movie star looks and squeaky clean images.  —  Baseball is enjoying a boom period.

Nats finalize 25-man roster  —  Estrada sent to DL; four others headed to Triple-A  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Nationals set their 25-man roster by placing catcher Johnny Estrada on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21, while also optioning pitchers John Lannan and Chris Schroder …

Padres place RHPs Prior, Hensley on DL  —  PEORIA, ARIZONA (TICKER) —The San Diego Padres placed righthander Mark Prior on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday as part of a flurry of moves to trim their active roster to the 25-man limit.  —  Prior, who has made trips to the DL an annual rite of spring …

MacPhail: Roberts deal unlikely before opener  —  O's second baseman expected to be in lineup for start of season  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail acknowledged today that it is unlikely that All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded before Opening Day.

Jon Weisman: Record crowd expected for Coliseum exhibition  —  Nearly 115,000 people have bought tickets to see a baseball game.  An exhibition baseball game.  —  Which goes to show you: For all the hoary clichés about the poetry of baseball, when it comes to something brilliantly weird and trippy …

Rockies release 2B Giles  —  TUCSON, ARIZONA (TICKER) —The Colorado Rockies on Wednesday released second baseman Marcus Giles.  —  Giles, who will turn 30 in May, signed a minor league contract with Colorado on January 8.  He batted .333 (7-for-21) this spring.

Late-arrival Tatis may have right timing for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Delayed by visa problems, Fernando Tatis finally showed up on March 13, and his absence was already a running joke with his teammates.  Earlier in camp, Pedro Feliciano impersonated Tatis by taking the field for morning drills in his No. 17 jersey.

Chasing Jose, By Pat Jordan  —  Pat Jordan is the author of 13 books, including “A False Spring,” hailed by Time as “one of the best and truest books about baseball, and about coming to maturity in America.”  A prolific freelance journalist for 40 years, Jordan was recently dubbed …

Gomez hurt, but Twins defeat Rays  —  Center fielder injures hamstring, listed as day-to-day  —  TWINS 4, RAYS 2  —  Rays at the plate: Jason Bartlett went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base.  Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.

Rudy Seanez released  —  The move was made last night when the team arrived in Los Angeles.  This is a bit of a shocker.  He wasn't having a great spring.  He had a 7.71 ERA in five appearances, but most of us had simply assumed he was on the team.  Rudy had considered retirement a year ago …

Laird edges Saltalamacchia as Rangers' catcher  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Gerald Laird won his duel with Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the job as the Texas Rangers' starting catcher.  —  Saltalamacchia was optioned to the Rangers' minor league camp Wednesday.  The 22-year-old switch-hitter …

Gonzalez abandons comeback but has invitation to try again  —  JUPITER, FLA. — His comeback attempt cut short by injury, Juan Gonzalez is headed home to Puerto Rico, but the Cardinals are keeping “an open door” if he wishes to try again this season, an official said.

NO-GO FOR NEW JOE  —  YANKEES' PLAYOFF STREAK COMING TO END  —  Brian Cashman didn't want to part with the young arms.  Hal Steinbrenner believed paying a pitcher close to $150 million for seven years was too expensive.  —  So, against Hank Steinbrenner's wishes, the Yankees allowed Johan Santana to slip into Queens.

Brewers choose Rivera over Munson  —  Catcher will begin the season as the backup to Kendall  —  TUCSON — Brewers catcher Eric Munson cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville, though Munson had the right to refuse and elect free agency.