Chipper close to contract extension  —  Deal would likely allow veteran to finish career with Braves  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It appears Chipper Jones may get his wish to remain with the Braves throughout his entire career.  —  A Major League source has indicated that Jones and the Braves …

Joe Angel on Sunday's ‘rainout’  —  Orioles radio voice Joe Angel e-mailed the following message about Sunday's broadcast, which was ended during a rain delay and didn't return when the game resumed:  —  To ALL Orioles Fans.....Fred And I had nothing to do with the decision to

Lasorda defends former Dodgers catcher Piazza on steroid allegations in new book  —  It's going to take more than accusations from former players to make Tommy Lasorda doubt Mike Piazza.  —  Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher, was one of a handful of players singled out as a steroid user …

Astros load up truck for trip to Texas  —  After seven weeks in Florida, club preparing to head home  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Astros played on the road Monday afternoon, but there was plenty of hustle and bustle at the home complex in the morning as the support staff prepared for its long-awaited journey home.

Tigers land outfielder Josh Anderson from Braves  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Tigers filled the outfield vacancy on their bench today by acquiring Josh Anderson from the Atlanta Braves in return for minor league pitcher Rudy Darrow.  —  As explained by general manager Dave Dombrowski …

Commissioner appoints committee to study Oakland situation  —  After meeting with ownership and management of the Oakland Athletics in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, Commissioner Allan H.  (Bud) Selig announced today that he has appointed a committee to thoroughly analyze all of the ballpark proposals …

Takahashi signs minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets signed reliever Ken Takahashi to a minor-league contract today after the Japanese left-hander was released earlier in the day by the Blue Jays.  Takahashi, 39, had appeared in one exhibition game with Toronto after spending …

The 2009 Diamond Mind Projection Blowout - American League Edition  —  Opening Day is almost here, so it's time to present my annual Diamond Mind Projection blowout.  The idea behind this is to take several projection systems and run the 2008 season through Diamond Mind Baseball …

Texas Rangers not quite ready to decide Andruw Jones' fate  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday the competition between outfielders Andruw Jones and Frank Catalanotto for Texas' lone position opening may not be settled by the time the team breaks camp Thursday.

Philadelphia Phillies officially rule out Cole Hamels for opener  —  Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Monday afternoon that Cole Hamels was officially out of the running for an opening-night start this Sunday against the Braves.  Instead, he'll pitch in an exhibition game Saturday against Tampa Bay in Philadelphia.

Identity of Mets fifth starter and second hitter revealed  —  Your fifth starter is officially Livan Hernandez.  —  He is the half brother of Orlando, making them the third brother duo to play for the Mets.  The first person to name the other two brother duos that preceded the Hernandez brothers wins …

Gardner wins Yanks' center-field job  —  Speedster beats out Cabrera in Spring Training competition  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have officially announced that Brett Gardner has won a starting job to open the 2009 season, likely making him the first player to patrol center field at the new Yankee Stadium.

Fielding Bible: Jeter's defense revisited  —  A few weeks ago the folks at ACTA Sports were kind enough to send along a copy of The Fielding Bible Volume II, John Dewan's study on defensive metrics.  Instead of reviewing the entire 400-page tome in one shot, I thought I'd address a number of issues throughout the week.

FINAL: Braves 4, Red Sox 3  —  FINAL: BRAVES 4, SOX 3  —  Having blown the win in the ninth, Fernando Cabrera just took the loss in the 10th, allowing an RBI, ground-rule double on the final pitch.  More from the clubhouse a little later.  —  HEADED TO OT (3:49 p.m., END 9, SOX 3, BRAVES 3)

First Look: Citi Field  —  (Let's try an experiment — follow along with this travelogue at this album on Facebook.  If it doesn't work, holler in the comments and I'll put it on Flickr or something.)  —  The first thing that I saw at Citi Field and the first thing that happened …