Vazquez asks for early work  —  This winter, Joe Girardi and Dave Eiland came up with a plan to slightly cut back on the spring training workload of their starting pitchers.  But that plan was subject to change.  Javier Vazquez was scheduled to begin his throwing schedule on Wednesday …

Riggleman says Strasburg likely to start in minors  —  The first bullpen session Stephen Strasburg threw in major-league spring training was as much of a media event as it was a rudimentary early-season exercise.  More than 100 fans strained to get a look at the right-hander …

Dodgers' Vicente Padilla comes through with truth about shooting incident  —  Contrary to his agent's initial claim that a bullet only ‘grazed’ Padilla when he was accidentally shot in Nicaragua last fall, the Dodgers pitcher says it actually went through his leg, and he lost 1

Manager Joe Torre open to return to the Dodgers in 2011  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Bobby Cox is firm in his commitment that this is his last season leading the Atlanta Braves, but fellow active managers near the top of the career wins list aren't so sure they're ready to leave.

Reds counting on Hernandez's clutch bat  —  Veteran catcher opens camp healthy, eager to contribute  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Even though the Reds had an exceptional defensive catcher in Ryan Hanigan, the budget-conscious Reds still allocated $3 million to bring back veteran Ramon Hernandez in November.

Open Thread: Spring Training TV Schedule  —  Yearning for some Yankees baseball?  I know I am, so you can imagine how excited I was when I headed over to the official site earlier today, only to found out the TV schedule for Spring Training games had been released. 15 of the 32 games are being televised …

Through hard work and lots of listening, Yankees' Derek Jeter is turning back the clock at short  —  TAMPA - At a recent workout here, Derek Jeter, clad in a dark blue sweatshirt, ranges nimbly to his left to scoop up ground balls.  He glides right, leans down and backhands bouncers.

Beckett's not talking contract  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett addressed the media after today's workout in Fort Myers and said he won't be talking about the final year of his contract with the Red Sox during spring training and it won't be a distraction for him once the season starts.

For Job as Mets' Starting Catcher, Caracas Will Have Been Worth It  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Josh Thole bought his fiancée a box of frosted flakes, a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread, kissed her and walked out of the Best Western hotel in Caracas, Venezuela, for a three-day trip.

Upton keeping focus on the field  —  D-backs outfielder isn't concerned with extension talks  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Justin Upton acknowledged on Sunday that his representative has had discussions with the D-backs on a contract extension, but the outfielder said his focus is on getting ready for the season.

Wells stays true to himself  —  The last time he attended the Hall of Champions banquet, David Wells was seated next to Ted Williams.  Think of it.  The greatest hitter to come out of San Diego County — or anywhere else — and quite possibly the greatest pitcher to come out of the city.  Side-by-side.