Hip expert: A-Rod will need surgery  —  I just spoke to an expert, Dr. Robert Buly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.  He is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hips.  —  Only last week, Dr. Buly presented back-to-back papers on treating this very injury with Dr. Marc Philippon …

Heightened pressure now heaped on Teixeira  —  So Alex Rodriguez embarks on an uncertain course.  The Yankees don't know if he'll be available Opening Day or in May.  They don't know if he'll be available next week.  His intention is to prepare and play each day until his hip …

Korea makes grand statement in rout  —  Six-run first inning more than enough to down Chinese Taipei  —  TOKYO — Right-fielder Jin Young Lee belted a grand slam to cap a six-run first inning, and Keun Woo Jeong blasted a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth to give Team Korea …

Bittersweet parting  —  Geoff Geary is coming off a career year, but it took his being dealt from a team that won it all  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The emotions swirled through Geoff Geary's head as if they were in a blender.  There was bitterness and happiness, even a little bit of envy.

Milledge making progress in field  —  Nats outfielder working with coaches to correct route running  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — It appears that Nationals outfielder Lastings Milledge is making strides in center field.  —  In Thursday's 10-2 loss to the Tigers, Milledge was able to go back on balls without any problems.

CUBS IN BRIEF: Lou says he could use extra IF  —  LAS VEGAS — Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles are locks for at least a platoon at second base.  Ryan Theriot will get most of the looks at shortstop.  Fontenot and Miles can fill in at short and third.  —  But something doesn't add …

Lineups  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Other than the fact that Josh Beckett is pitching against his old team, there's not a lot of news coming out of Red Sox spring training this morning.  But we do have lineups.  (No Hanley Ramirez, though.)  —  Brad Penny will get his shoulder checked out by Dr. Tom Gill, who just arrived in Florida.

Baker trying to get the right fit  —  When writers arrived at the media work room Thursday morning, Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was seated at a table with a guy selling suits - expensive suits, I presume.  —  The guy is here every spring and players wander in to check out his goods, too.

Havens in cards for Mets  —  The Reese Havens era is beginning a little sooner than expected with the left side of the Mets' infield scattered for the World Baseball Classic.  Here's the lineup in Jupiter, Fla., today against the Cardinals:  —  Castillo, 2b  —  Valentin, 3b  —  Murphy, lf

Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo cleared to play in World Baseball Classic  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Shin-Soo Choo has been cleared by South Korea to play in the World Baseball Classic, though a sore left arm will limit him to designated hitter duties only in the first round.

One Cancellation, One New Deal For Caliendo  —  TBS cancels ‘Frank TV’ while Fox Sports re-ups his NFL deal  —  It is good news and bad news for comedian Frank Caliendo.  —  TBS will not be bringing back his sketch comedy series Frank TV for another season, but he has a signed a new deal …

Saber-Friendly Blogging 101: Best Position Players In Franchise History  —  BtB reader and Rangers' fan philkid3 has a cool post up at LSB about the best players in Rangers history (well, since 1955, at least).  He included pitchers via a different method, which you can tackle if interested …