Harden lands on disabled list  —  Oft-injured righty sidelined by strained muscle in shoulder  —  TORONTO — For the sixth time in less than four seasons Athletics starting pitcher Rich Harden has landed on the disabled list.  —  Oakland placed the hard-throwing right-hander on the 15 …

Cora, Lowell being checked out  —  The phones are ringing in Pawtucket.  —  With Mike Lowell sustaining a thumb injury last night, and Alex Cora feeling a “twinge,” according to Terry Francona, the call has gone out to the PawSox to make sure a player is ready in case they need him.

ROLLINS OUT, KLINE IN  —  1. Jimmy Rollins is watching batting practice with hitting coach Milt Thompson.  After doing some early stretching, he determined his sprained left ankle still isn't feeling better enough for him to resume playing.  So, for a second straight game, Rollins will watch from the dugout.

No Offense Provokes No Panic in Yankees  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Yankees scored 968 runs last season, their most in 70 years, and they brought back every significant member of the offense.  Understanding that, General Manager Brian Cashman does not seem worried about the lineup's sluggish start.

Under The Knife  —  Injured Rays  —  Cliff Floyd (40 DXL)  —  If the Trop didn't have a dome, I think Joe Maddon might be looking to the heavens, waiting for frogs to fall from the sky.  The latest victim of the injury streak is Cliff Floyd.  Now, it's no stunner that Floyd is injured …

Vargas accepts minor league contract with Mets  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Claudio Vargas and the Mets agreed to a minor league contract Thursday, giving New York another option for its injury-riddled rotation.  —  Vargas was released by Milwaukee late in spring training after going 11-6 with a 5.09 ERA …

Rangers take two from O's  —  Texas ends O's six-game winning streak; Orioles manage just three hits against Texas' Millwood in Game 1  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - Ian Kinsler hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Orioles 5-4 Thursday night to complete a doubleheader sweep.

Digital Age brings challenges to players  —  Rise of Internet forces ballplayers to guard private lives  —  Most big league ballplayers, if not all of them, understand that they're public figures.  An increasingly high number of them, however, are being forced into an increasingly private existence.

New York Yankees announce new titles for members of the Steinbrenner family  —  Today the New York Yankees announced new titles for members of the Steinbrenner family.  —  George M. Steinbrenner, III Chairperson, Hal and Hank Steinbrenner Co-Chairpersons, Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal …

Indians sign pitcher (not C.C.) to multiyear deal  —  CLEVELAND — Fausto Carmona, a surprising 19-game winner last season, agreed Thursday to a $15 million, four-year contract with the Indians, a deal that would be worth at least $43 million if Cleveland exercises three club options.

[MATT GARZA] Rays Could Seek Compensation If Twins Hid Garza's Injury  —  Rays Could Seek Compensation If Twins Hid Garza's Injury  —  On Monday night, during the Tampa Bay Rays' home opener, Matt Garza pulled himself from the game in the 3rd inning with an injury to the radial nerve in this throwing arm.

Evan Longoria hoping for a short stay in Durham  —  Southern California has produced more than its share of major league players.  In this space, we'll take a look at how Southland players are faring in the minors.  This week: the triple-A International  —  One of the Tampa Bay Rays' final …