Ramirez effect extends to future Dodger contracts  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) -Manny Ramirez's presence will be felt long after his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers ends.  The slugger's recent signing has inspired the club to institute a so-called “Ramirez provision” in all of its future contracts.

Mike Pelfrey Experiments With His Pitches  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After Mike Pelfrey gave up just one run and three hits over six innings in a 12-1 victory over Houston on Thursday, he said he felt more comfortable this spring than in the past because he is assured a spot in the starting rotation.

Yankees' Gardner-Cabrera battle will continue  —  TAMPA, Fla. - The update on the Yankees' centerfield race: It's still too close to call.  —  Manager Joe Girardi said he's pleased with the play of candidates Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera and expects the evaluating process to continue right …

Spring rumblings: Astros, Pedro, a young Brave  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The strange spring of 2009 rumbles on ...  HELLO, HOUSTON: Clubs that have spoken with the Astros say that in the wake of the loss of Aaron Boone, they'll give Chris Johnson every opportunity to win Boone's spot as a platoon third baseman and utility man.

New Wrigley bar: Cubs' ballpark project in full swing  —  Some Cubs' neighbors worried about increase in congestion  —  Space has been fenced off for construction of a sports bar to be attached to Wrigley Field at Addison and Sheffield.  (Tribune photo by Phil Velasquez / March 18, 2009)

Bald Vinny's Roll Call: First Installment  —  The Voice of Yankee Universe is excited to bring you the first installment of Bald Vinny's Roll Call.  As we reported earlier this week, Vinny Milano, the man you know as the face and voice of the famed bleacher creatures, will be sharing …

Prosecutor advises probation, no jail for Tejada … NEW YORK — The United States Attorney's office has recommended that Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada receive a sentence of probation for lying to congressional investigators in 2005, according to a memorandum filed on Thursday in Washington, D.C., federal court.

Nationals make third round of cuts  —  Four are sent to Minor League camp; two are optioned to Triple-A  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals made their third round of roster cuts after their 5-4 victory over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon.  —  The team sent outfielder Ryan Langerhans …

Dustin Pedroia returns today  —  Back in the swing  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - Dustin Pedroia [stats], sidelined recently by an abdominal pull sustained in the World Baseball Classic, took batting practice yesterday without incident and is expected to return to the lineup today for a couple of at-bats against Pittsburgh.

The worst thing a batter can do  —  The worst thing a batter can do is ground into a double play with the bases loaded.  Actually, hitting into a triple play is evidently more costly, but that happens so rarely and besides, I'm sort of fascinated by the double play lately.

Hanley Ramirez out with shoulder tendinitis  —  VIERA - Ten minutes before the buses were to leave from Jupiter for Wednesday night's road game against the Nationals, Fredi Gonzalez got some bad news.  —  Shortstop Hanley Ramirez told Gonzalez his right shoulder was bothering him to the extent that he couldn't play.

Red Sox Still Looking For A Catcher  —  By Tim Dierkes [March 19 at 12:17pm CST]  —  According to ESPN's Peter Gammons: … Montero, 25, hit .255/.330/.435 last year in 207 plate appearances as Chris Snyder's backup.  He threw out 18.2% of attempted base-stealers.