Marte designated as Tribe trades for Salas  —  Well, you knew the Andy Marte Era would come to an end sooner or later here in camp, and it didn't take long.  —  The Indians traded for RHP Juan Salas today, sending Minor League INF Isaias Velasquez to the Rays.  —  Salas, 30, was designated for assignment by the Rays on Friday.

After Griffey: Spurned Braves try to move on  —  Buzz up!  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)—The Atlanta Braves emerged from the dugout as though it was just another spring training day.  The pitchers headed to the mound.  The hitters wandered in and out of the cage, taking their swings.

Milledge gives Dunn No. 44, changes to No. 85  —  VIERA, Fla. (AP) — There's a new Ocho Cinco in pro sports: Washington Nationals outfielder Lastings Milledge is switching to No. 85 after relinquishing his career-long No. 44 to new teammate Adam Dunn.  —  Milledge, who wore No. 44 with the Mets …

Rockies' pitcher Francis likely out for year  —  TUCSON — Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis expects his season to be over before it starts.  Francis will undergo exploratory surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday in Denver, he said here today.  —  The surgery is expected to sideline him between 6-12 months …

Orioles, Roberts closing in on 4-year extension  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Brian Roberts and the Baltimore Orioles are near agreement on a $40 million, four-year extension that could keep the second baseman with the team through the 2013 season.  —  Roberts tried to contain …

George Steinbrenner, Bernie Williams appear at New York Yankees spring training  —  TAMPA, Fla. — A pair of familiar faces appeared Thursday at the New York Yankees' spring training camp for the first time this year: owner George Steinbrenner and outfielder Bernie Williams.

Hank rebukes talk of salary cap  —  Yankees co-chairman responds to Boston's suggestion of payroll limit  —  Hank Steinbrenner isn't so keen on a salary cap.  —  Not long after Red Sox owner John Henry and club president Larry Lucchino said on Wednesday that Major League Baseball …

Sources: New York Yanks, San Diego Padres vie for Mexican pitcher  —  The Yankees and Padres continue to search for pitching depth, even with spring training under way, and both are in the bidding for Walter Silva, a 32-year-old right-hander who had a strong showing in the Mexican Winter League, sources said.

Utley optimistic about Opening Day  —  Phillies star feeling no pain in surgically repaired right hip  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chase Utley looks around the Bright House Field clubhouse, sees players like Ryan Howard and Brett Myers at least 20 pounds lighter than last season and considers it a good sign.

Braves, Glavine reach agreement  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Veteran left-hander Tom Glavine will be back with the Braves after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract that includes a $1 million base salary and up to $3.5 million in incentives, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Prospect sorry for withholding identity  —  Shortstop's real name is Lugo and he understated his age  —  VIERA, Fla. — Stanley King, the agent for Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, previously thought to be Esmailyn Gonzalez, spoke to his client via telephone Wednesday night and said the Nationals prospect …

Royals' Guillen out after removing ingrown nail himself  —  Royals outfielder José Guillen expects to return to full-time drills, perhaps by this weekend, after easing the pain in his right big toe by yanking out a severely ingrown nail.  —  The nail was only a slight irritant Monday …

PECOTA Projected Standings  —  Pegging the 2009 Season  —  Now that the depth charts are out, we have a chance to do a first run of the Playoff Odds chart.  The Playoff Odds chart—and I am aware that, strictly speaking, they aren't presented as odds—is a system that we run during the season.

Announcing the BP 2009 Book Tour  —  It's that time of year again, when we happy BPers don pilgrim rags and come visit your hometown.  Break out the absinthe, the doilies, and hide the good silver because we're comin' over for dinner... but not a performance-enhancing dinner.