Two deaths in the Yankee family  —  Johnny Blanchard, a Yankee from 1955-65, passed away today.  He was 76.  —  Blanchard played in five World Series, helping the Yankees win two of them.  He was an outfielder and catcher.  —  The Yankees also lost Arthur Richman, the team's senior advisor of media relations.

Hunter leaves game after freak play  —  Angels center fielder expected to miss next contest  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Torii Hunter, ringleader and lightning rod of the Angels' clubhouse, missed all the fun on Tuesday.  —  While his team was putting an 18-11 hurting on the Rockies' pitching staff …

Nixon released, Gamel optioned  —  By Anthony Witrado of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - Outfielder Trot Nixon was released this morning, a move that had manager Ken Macha a bit emotional - no tears, but some heartfelt words for a guy he considers a friend.

Price, 4 others optioned to Durham  —  LHP David Price was among five players optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.  —  Also sent down were OF Justin Ruggiano, INFs Reid Brignac and Elliot Johnson, and C John Jaso.  —  Price said he expected the move and considers it “part of the game …

John Smoltz says first mound session felt ‘awkward’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Right-hander John Smoltz pitched from the mound in a Boston Red Sox uniform for the first time Wednesday, testing his surgically repaired shoulder by throwing 40 pitches in the bullpen.  —  Smoltz

Please help John's family  —  THT and the baseball community lost a dear friend and writer this week when John Brattain passed away.  But, of course, his wife and two teenage daughters feel the loss much more keenly.  THT has started a donation drive to help them.

WHITE SOX IN BRIEF: Danks betting on Danks  —  Lefty turns down same $15M deal Sox gave Floyd  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first thought in John Danks' head when he heard four years, $15.5million was “Heck, yeah.”  —  When it came time to sign the contract extension, however, it was “Heck, no.”

Carter, Palmeiro lead College Baseball Hall of Fame class  —  LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Former World Series star Joe Carter of Wichita State and Mississippi State's Rafael Palmeiro, who hit 569 home runs in the major leagues, are among 10 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackson the Younger Impresses Jackson the Elder  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson beat the Yankees prospect Austin Jackson into the clubhouse Tuesday night, and it was hard to tell who was happier.  Jackson, the youngster, pulled a full-count pitch high over the left-field foul pole for a grand slam in the eighth inning.

Back From Classic, Pérez Is Source of Concern for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets have seen Oliver Pérez at his best and they have seen him at his worst.  They know his habits, his quirks, his foibles, and one thing they will not tolerate is laziness.

Milano/Weisman  —  “Frost/Nixon,” eat your heart out.  —  Today's Lineup  —  Rafael Furcal, SS  —  Orlando Hudson, 2B  —  Manny Ramirez, LF  —  Andre Ethier, RF  —  Russell Martin, C  —  Casey Blake, 3B  —  Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B  —  Juan Pierre, CF  —  Eric Stults, P

Robertson, Everett exit with injuries  —  While not deemed serious, timetable uncertain for lefty, shortstop  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Tigers were supposed to become whole on Thursday night, with their four World Baseball Classic stars due back in the lineup.

Source: Sale of Padres to Moorad appears close  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to former agent Jeff Moorad appears to be almost finalized.  —  The two sides were close to wrapping up the sale, a baseball official with knowledge of situation told …

CLEVELAND INDIANS  —  Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More  —  Left-hander Scott Lewis named fifth starter by Cleveland Indians; Aaron Laffey demoted  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — GM Mark Shapiro was't kidding when he said the Indians would name their fifth starter “sooner rather than later.”

The final numbers for Pettitte  —  Andy Pettitte's final line today:  —  5.1 innings  —  7 hits  —  5 runs  —  1 earned run  —  1 walk  —  3 strikeouts  —  83 pitches / 63 strikes  —  Of the seven hits, one was a broken-bat double and two others infield singles.

Another day, another new pitcher ...  PEORIA, Ariz. - The Padres continued their stockpiling of pitchers on Wednesday when they obtained right-hander Eulogio “Frankie” De La Cruz from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  —  De La Cruz, who turned 25 earlier …

Yanks remain open to trading Cabrera  —  Gardner's success in center gives club options with 2008 center fielder  —  The Yankees have apparently not given up on trying to trade center fielder Melky Cabrera.  —  With Brett Gardner coming along at that position, the club had been open to dealing him earlier in the offseason.