US routs Venezuela to reach 2nd round of WBC  —  TORONTO (AP) — The World Baseball Classic has been a blast so far for the United States.  —  Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer, Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun added solo shots and the United States powered its way into the second round of the WBC by beating Venezuela 15-6 on Sunday night.

Royals not talking Teahen with Yanks  —  Club official denies rumor of discussions about infielder  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — There seems to be no credence at this point to a rumor that the New York Yankees might be interested in obtaining Mark Teahen from the Royals.

Lester poised to stay awhile  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - The pitcher has overcome cancer, won the clinching game of the World Series, thrown a no-hitter, and now is reportedly close to signing a contract extension that will keep him under the control of the Red Sox through the 2014 season.

Pirates prospect to miss all of 2009  —  Infielder Cunningham tears the ACL in his left knee Saturday  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Jarek Cunningham, one of the more promising young prospects in the Pirates' Minor League system, will miss the entire 2009 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Saturday.

Delgado believes Pudge can help Mets  —  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - An Ivan Rodriguez-to-the-Mets campaign could pick up steam if Pudge continues to have a strong showing in the World Baseball Classic.  —  Rodriguez, teammates with Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran on the Puerto Rico team …

Brewers release pitcher Gagne  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Surprise, Ariz. - This hardly qualifies as a surprise (no pun intended with today's game site) but the Milwaukee Brewers just announced they have released reliever Eric Gagne from his minor league contract.

Chipper Jones, 36, is still young at heart  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — All his life, Chipper Jones drew inspiration from being the youngest player on his baseball team.  From his days playing youth-league ball to his first several seasons with the Atlanta Braves in the mid-1990s …

PINSTRIPE POSTS  —  From the clubhouse to the diamond, Pete Caldera tells you everything you want to know about the Yankees.  —  Read “Pinstripe Posts”  —  O'Connor: Yankee haunted by brush with death  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Bodies and blood were all over the desert freeway, and somehow Cody Ransom landed on his feet.

Change from Penny  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - The changes in Brad Penny's delivery - “bad habits,” he said - started last season.  He pitched with pain shooting through his right shoulder, but only with physical concessions.  Penny feared raring back like normal, so he shortened his stride and decreased his arm speed.

Madden: On 'roids, Tony still off Mark  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Amid the ongoing steroids furor in baseball, Tony La Russa, who has unhappily been caught up in the middle of it thanks to accusations from his former American League MVP, Jose Canseco, said recently that baseball should have …

Trading-card maker Topps hopes to score on 3D pitch to fans  —  Since the 1950s, Topps has sold baseball trading cards filled with photos and stats, bringing the game to life.  Now the company is bringing its cards to life.  —  Since the 1950s, Topps has sold baseball trading cards filled …

Mets' Pelfrey's sore leg feeling ‘a lot better’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mike Pelfrey was scratched from today's start against the Orioles because of a muscle strain in his lower left leg, but he shouldn't be sidelined much longer.  —  Pelfrey, whose leg was tightly wrapped from mid-calf …

Ervin Santana to open season on disabled list  —  An MRI exam shows the 26-year-old right-hander has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his elbow, depleting a pitching rotation that was already thin on depth.  —  Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. — Ervin Santana has a sprained medial collateral ligament …

Rockies recap: Rockies 4, Padres 2  —  Rockies 4, Padres 2  —  At the plate:Eric Young Jr., the pterodactyls in his stomach now butterflies, is playing much more relaxed.  His electrifying speed showed up again Sunday, as he doubled and scored easily on a shallow sacrifice fly to center field.

Royals notebook: A-Rod's injury fuels rumors of Yankees' interest in Teahen  —  Alex Rodriguez's decision to undergo surgery on his hip is fueling rumors that the Yankees are interested in Mark Teahen as a temporary replacement at third base.  —  Royals officials, for now …