GM: No ‘clear role’ for Johnny Damon  —  As intriguing as it may sound, the chances of a Johnny Damon return to the Bronx appear unlikely.  —  New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on Thursday downplayed a report that he was talking with Damon and his agent, Scott Boras …

Rockies acquire Lindstrom from Astros  —  The Rockies filled a key spot in their bullpen by acquiring right-hander Matt Lindstrom from the Astros.  Full details will come soon.  —  Lindstrom, who turns 31 on Feb. 11, went 2-5 with a 4.39 ERA for the Astros last season.

Gonzalez negotiations won't factor in Pujols  —  Prior to officially acquiring slugger Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, the Red Sox were assured by the slugger that the contract terms he desired on an extension would not change in the event that an Albert Pujols mega-deal raises the market, ESPNBoston.com reported on Thursday.

Ken Davidoff's baseball insider  —  My 2011 Hall of Fame ballot  —  Yup, it's that time of year again.  Here's my ballot from last year and my 2009 ballot.  This marks my fifth ballot in all.  —  This year, I found myself facing a new dilemma: Too many good candidates for the 10 spots available on the ballot.

Nationals reach two-year deal with Sean Burnett  —  The Nationals have reached an agreement with reliever Sean Burnett on a contract extension that will keep the left-handed reliever with the Nationals through the 2012 season with a dual option for 2013, according to a league source.

Rays can't be counted out in AL East  —  Jim Bowden reveals the best available free agents in baseball.  —  Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com.  His second book, “Reggie Jackson: The Life and Thunderous Career of Baseball's Mr. October,” is available from HarperCollins Publishers.

Cards assistant GM Abbamondi is leaving  —  Cardinals assistant general manager John Abbamondi is leaving the club to accept a vice president position with the San Diego Padres, both teams confirmed Wednesday.  It is the second departure from the Cardinals' front office this winter …

Oakland City Council approves money for A's ballpark study  —  The Oakland City Council voted Tuesday to spend as much as $750,000 on an environmental study for a new ballpark, even though the owner of the A's is trying to move the team to San Jose.  —  The council voted 6-2 to hire LSA Associates …

Opinion: The Man Who Saved Baseball  —  Cliff Lee is more than just the modern-day Sandy Koufax.  At least to Philadelphia Jews, he is.  —  Let me explain.  Sure, Mr. Lee may be a good 'ole Arkansas boy who enjoys a hunting expedition and has the (non-Jewish) good looks of a young John Wayne.

Uecker's holiday wish: Good health in 2011  —  MILWAUKEE — Bob Uecker has an offseason home on a golf course in Scottsdale, Ariz., but he usually travels home to wintry Wisconsin for the holidays.  Not this year.  He's staying south this Christmas to rest up from heart surgery …