Oliver signs one-year, $3.655M contract  —  Lefty reliever Darren Oliver avoided salary arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, signing a one-year, $3.655 million contract with the club.  —  Oliver's agent, Mike McCann of the Franklin-Frye-McCann group, confirmed the signing.

City Approves $370.9 Million to Complete Yankee Stadium  —  New York City's Industrial Development Agency approved $370.9 million in primarily tax-exempt bonds on Friday to finish construction of Yankee Stadium with all the upgrades the team had sought, from better security to a new scoreboard to replace one that did not meet its needs.

Marlins discuss Andruw Jones  —  If Andruw Jones doesn't return to the Atlanta Braves, he might find a landing spot in South Florida.  —  According to a baseball source, the Marlins have conducted internal discussions about Jones, who the Dodgers released Thursday after restructuring …

Rangers looking to land Vizquel  —  Gold Glove-winning veteran would provide another option at shortstop  —  The Rangers' infield situation has taken an interesting twist, as the team is trying to sign free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel for what will likely be a utility role.

Varitek, Henry meet for 90 minutes  —  Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and owner John Henry met for approximately 90 minutes near the player's Atlanta-area home tonight, but it remains unclear as to whether Varitek is any closer to returning to the team.  —  Communicating via text message …

Reds legends help ‘Ellen’ land Clooney  —  Movie star a life-long fan of Hall of Fame Cincinnati sluggers  —  Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan have done what the Chippendales, the Rockettes, Brad Pitt and even president-elect Barack Obama couldn't.  —  After more than two years of trying …

Tampa Bay Rays' senior adviser Don Zimmer recovering from small stroke  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Senior adviser Don Zimmer is recovering from a small stroke suffered last month and hopes to join the Rays in spring training for what would be his 61st season in the game.

Rays sign reliever Lance Cormier  —  The Rays signed righthanded reliever Lance Cormier to a one-year, $675,000 contract.  —  To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated for assignment righthander Dewon Day, whom they had just claimed off waivers.  —  Cormier, 28, was with the Orioles …

Springer not in Cardinals' 2009 plans  —  Veteran hurler says club decided to go with younger options  —  ST. LOUIS — Russ Springer has decided he wants to pitch another year — at least one more year.  The Cardinals have decided that it won't happen in St. Louis.

Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady  —  On his official Web site, Nick Swisher is depicted in a Yankees uniform, staring out at a pitcher as he wags his bat over his head.  The photo has obviously been altered — Swisher has a beard, for one thing — and the scene it depicts may never come to pass.

Twins focus on relievers Lyon, Gagne  —  Club pursuing relievers for setup role behind closer Nathan  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have spent all winter searching for relief help and now that search appears to be focused on two free-agent pitchers who could be options for the club's setup role — Brandon Lyon and Eric Gagne.