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 …

NL CENTRAL PREVIEW  —  The division preview series continues with the big one, the six team National League Central.  I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR.  —  Chicago Cubs  — Position player WAR: 28.0  — Starters WAR: 15.7

Dodgers sign reliever Ohman  —  One-year deal for left-hander includes an April 14 opt-out clause  —  PHOENIX — The Dodgers signed free-agent left-handed reliever Will Ohman to a one-year Minor League contract plus a one-year option, the club announced Monday.

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.

Praise all around for Perez  —  Manuel, Warthen and hurler himself pleased with Monday's outing  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The pendulum swung back on Monday night.  Oliver Perez provided some evidence that he has recovered from the effects of his World Baseball Classic sabbatical and is now fit for regular-season duty.

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 …

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 …

Mariners bat Ichiro third as experiment  —  Regular leadoff man dropped in lineup for one-game test  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The large lineup card posted on one of the double doors leading into the clubhouse caused some double-takes on Monday morning.  —  Batting third for the Mariners …

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 …

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 …

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)

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.

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 …