Blue Jays sign Rios for six, Hill for four  —  Rios' contract worth $64 million; Hill's includes three options  —  TORONTO — Timing is everything.  —  On Friday, when the Blue Jays arrived back at Rogers Centre for their home opener against the Red Sox, Toronto announced …

Pirates, Capps sign two-year, $3.1 million contract  —  MIAMI — The Pirates and closer Matt Capps today signed a two-year contract worth $3.1 million.  —  Capps last month was given a $435,000 salary for the current season.  That figure was increased to $500,000, plus a $250,000 signing bonus.

Game 4: Rays at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Notes: Thanks to Kevin Devaney for texting this in.  He also reports that Melky Cabrera had his hearing today and had his suspension reduced to two games.  So he will sit today and tomorrow. ...  Neither Betemit or Duncan have faced Andy Sonnanstine …

Giambi Tries to Reverse the Irreversible  —  Joe Girardi's decision to use Jason Giambi as his regular first baseman was anything but a no-brainer.  Certainly, Giambi's recent history argued against it.  —  Giambi is hoping that a doctor's diagnosis and his first-ever winter that included running …

WAIVING HAS GOTAY STEAMING  —  Add Ruben Gotay to the list of ex-Mets vowing revenge against their former team.  —  Like Lastings Milledge and Paul Lo Duca earlier this spring, Gotay is angry with the Mets for giving up on him without what he considers a reasonable explanation.

Bill James thinks steroids fueled the Twins' two championships  —  Last night I was reading The Bill James Gold Mine 2008, enjoying the section on Atypical Seasons, which of course talked in great detail about Norm Cash (1961) and Darrin Erstad (2004), who overachieved more than anyone relative to their career numbers.

Girardi ill, will miss tonight's game (updated)  —  Howdy, readers.  It's Anthony McCarron, pinch-blogging once again for our man Mark.  —  Here is some news: Joe Girardi is a “game-time” decision on whether he will manage tonight against the Rays because of an upper respiratory infection.

Scouting Report: Rick Porcello  —  Physical Description - Long limbs, wide chest, square shoulders, average build throughout, solid bulk in legs, room to add solid build, up to 15 lbs of muscle.  Well-proportioned, prototypical pitcher's body.  Resembles Justin Verlander or Roy Halladay.

Hampton placed on disabled list  —  Strained left pectoral muscle to sideline southpaw for 15 days  —  ATLANTA — While there have been times when it seemed Mike Hampton's injury woes couldn't get any worse or more unbelievable, history continues to prove nothing is impossible when it comes to Hampton and his health.

El Duque may fill in for Pedro  —  ATLANTA - Mets officials believe Pedro Martinez's injury really is a mild strain that will sideline him only until mid-May, so they're not inclined to seek any outside pitching help now.  Assuming Orlando Hernandez progresses well during a minor-league rehab assignment …

JOBA GOES BLAND OVER FIST, FOR ONE NIGHT  —  As Alex Rios' fly ball settled in Bobby Abreu's glove to end the eighth inning last night, there were no fist pumps, no twirls, no screams.  Yankees star Joba Chamberlain simply took his glove off and walked off the field with his head down.

Blogging a way of expression for Yankees fans  —  Back in the day, passionate fans went to sports bars to commiserate about what ailed their team.  That still works, but fans no longer have to leave their office or living room to debate the merits of new manager Joe Girardi or Joba Chamberlain's remaining in the bullpen.