Figgy clears waivers  —  Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers, allowing him to return to Triple-A Buffalo.  He had a credible outing Sunday against the Brewers as a spot starter for Mike Pelfrey, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings, but was designated for assignment …

Stopping Dodgers may prove costly  —  Astros' Valverde pulls calf muscle when hit by line drive  —  HOUSTON — On paper, Tuesday night's matchup was overwhelmingly in the favor of the visiting Dodgers.  Their heralded 21-year-old left-hander, Clayton Kershaw, had a 1.50 ERA …

MiLB to take over Dodgertown complex  —  Vero Beach facility to be used year-round for variety of purposes  —  Today marks the start of a new era for one of Florida's oldest professional baseball facilities.  —  In a press conference Wednesday morning, it was announced that Minor League Baseball …

Revived Bullpen Helps Nationals Win Second Straight  —  To take a lead last night, the Washington Nationals relied on the most methodical component of their team.  To hold the lead, they relied on madness.  Last night's 4-3 win against the Atlanta Braves compressed the work of a patient offense with a pins-and-needles ninth.

Daley arrives, Hammel joins rotation for Monday  —  PHOENIX — Matt Daley arrived to smiles and handshakes.  The reliever, who made a solid clubhouse impression during spring training, joined the Rockies today after catching a 6 a.m. flight from Reno.  Jason Hammel, meanwhile, caught a break.

Wood is here, now play him  —  So the Angels finally come to their senses and start calling around, finding out what free-agent pitchers might be available.  Better yet, they recall Brandon Wood from Salt Lake.  —  Except in Wood's case, they don't plan to play him.  They plan to sit him.

Rocky start, solid victory  —  Four-run sixth negates fielding miscues, pitching woes  —  PHOENIX — Brad Hawpe and the Rockies proved Tuesday night that looking bad is not a permanent condition.  —  Hawpe has been the Rockies' most consistent hitter during a difficult start.

Red Sox beat Twins in rain-shortened opener  —  Tim Wakefield pitched a five-hitter for his second consecutive complete game and the Boston Red Sox [team stats] earned their sixth straight victory, beating the Minnesota Twins 10-1 in seven innings Wednesday as rain shortened the opener of a scheduled day-night doubleheader.

A's Holliday is open to playing in New York  —  There are certain requirements that come with this job, and one is this: Whenever you're interviewing an big-name, impending free agent, you must ask him whether he would consider playing in New York.  —  “Yeah, I would play here,” …

Bucs sweep hot Marlins, Maholm improves to 3-0  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Florida Marlins went from being very hot to very cold during only three days in Pittsburgh.  —  Adam LaRoche had four hits and little brother Andy LaRoche drove in a pair of runs, leading the Pirates to a 7-4 victory …

Keith Olbermann Hired by MLBAM.  Will Donate At-Large Salary to Charity  —  MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced today that it has hired anchor, sportscaster and journalist Keith Olbermann as an at-large columnist.  Olbermann's columns, currently available three times per week at keitholbermann.mlblogs.com …

Pounding the pavement  —  Pedro, Big Hurt, Edmonds among the free agents still looking for work  —  As Major League Baseball continues its love affair with players so young they don't even need a Red Bull to get up for a game, a corresponding fraternity of veterans is feeling unloved, unwanted and — let's be frank — unemployed.

What to Do About Murphy?  —  ST. LOUIS - So, what now?  —  Maybe that's the question on your minds after Tuesday's 6-4 loss, another defeat triggered by a Daniel Murphy goof in left field.  He took full responsibility after dropping Cody Ross's fly ball on April 12, leading to two unearned runs …

Pettitte, Mo tie record as Yanks top A's  —  Defense lends big hand to help duo reach win-save mark  —  NEW YORK — Shaking hands as Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” rained down on the infield, Mariano Rivera approached Andy Pettitte, offering his long-time teammate a milestone baseball.

Faces of the franchise: Young stars cast as leading men  —  WASHINGTON — It was one of those brief conversations between opponents in the middle of a baseball game.  Hanley Ramirez stood on the base next to Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman last May.