Mets add to crowded rotation competition, sign pitcher Livan Hernandez  —  Mets GM Omar Minaya said on Feb. 3 that there would be no more “big moves” prior to the Mets breaking camp in Port St. Lucie this week, but he didn't say anything about making another call to arms.

Young, veteran O's meet in Florida  —  Uehara, Wieters, Zaun among pitchers, catchers reporting  —  BALTIMORE — The long wait is over.  —  The Orioles will begin their preparations for the 2009 season on Saturday, when their pitchers and catchers are required to report to the team's Spring Training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Wade defends pursuit of Wolf, Looper  —  Astros GM's last-minute offers passed over; Pudge deal unlikely  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Hoping to sign one of the last remaining veteran starting pitchers on the free-agent market this offseason, Astros general manager Ed Wade recently made what he categorized as …

Amid Scandal, ‘Alex Rodriguez Park’ Is Unveiled  —  CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The centerpieces gave off the scent of innocence in bloom.  At every table on the baseball field Friday night there were glass vases filled with unshelled peanuts, Cracker Jack and toy baseballs, with miniature bats rising …

Varitek speaks on his return  —  Jason Varitek just spoke to the media, making clear that his priority from the start of his free agency was to exhaust every opportunity to stay in Boston, but that getting a multi-year commitment was his key goal if that could be accomplished.

Mariners sign first-round pick Fields  —  Former Georgia closer was selected 20th overall in 2008 Draft  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners have reached an agreement on a contract with Josh Fields, their first-round selection in last June's First-Year Player Draft.

A Tigers trade likely coming  —  I'd be surprised if the Tigers didn't make some kind of trade, perhaps a big one, before the end of spring camp.  —  The team could — could — be staring at an excess of starting pitchers if Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis perform reliably, which is hardly a stretch.

Yankees Sign Brett Tomko  —  With the first workout for pitchers and catchers on Saturday, the Yankees are still fine-tuning their minor league contracts.  General Manager Brian Cashman confirmed that the team has signed Brett Tomko to a minor league deal.  —  Tomko, who turns 36 on April 7, is 95-99 over a 12-year career.

Madden: Murphy could be a hit as Danny Ballgame  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Daniel Murphy is the baseball equivalent of a gym rat.  He never wants to leave the field, and mostly hasn't since we last saw him 4-1/2 months ago when the 2008 Mets and Shea Stadium had their mutual swan songs.