Johan Santana's return expected in June, Mets say; R.A. Dickey, Pelfrey and Pagan go to arbitration  —  Johan Santana's return from September shoulder surgery is on schedule.  —  After seeing doctors this week, the Mets' ace lefthander was cleared to begin a program that will allow …

Mariano Rivera saved the Yanks ... again  —  Sales job on management may have given Bombers some valuable peace of mind  —  Mariano Rivera ended the 2010 baseball season with 559 career saves.  —  As he prepares to begins the 2011 season, his total now stands at 560.

Fox advances Frank McCourt money to help cover Dodgers' operating expenses  —  An individual close to the situation declined to say how much money had been advanced.  It is unclear whether the cash advance indicates the Dodgers are in immediate financial trouble.

Rizzo confident in Nats' stable of pitchers  —  WASHINGTON — Published reports have indicated that the Nationals are trying to acquire free-agent right-hander Chris Young.  Not true, according to a baseball source, who declined to say why the club doesn't have interest.

AP Source: A's Agree to Terms With RHP Balfour  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms with free agent right-handed reliever Grant Balfour on an $8.1 million, two-year deal.  —  A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the deal to The Associated Press …

Barry Bonds files court papers, wants reason former business partner Steve Hoskins wasn't prosecuted  —  Barry Bonds' attorneys want to know why federal authorities did not prosecute his former business partner - likely a key government witness when the slugger goes to trial on perjury charges in March …

Thome wanted to play near Chicago home  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since August 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  Follow him on Twitter.  —  Jim Thome said the Rangers offered him more money than the Twins.

The most overpaid and underpaid players of the offseason … This has been the winter of the overpay, not to be confused with Overbay, the new Pirates first baseman who was himself overpaid.  These monster deals or very good players and pretty big deals for OK players really shouldn't have shocked anyone.

Ex-Met manager named public safety director  —  QUICK READMayor Michael Pavia announced Thursday morning that he has appointed  —  STAMFORD - Mayor Michael Pavia announced Thursday morning that he has appointed former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine to his cabinet as the city's director of public health and safety.

McLane: “I will be owner” when season starts in April  —  HOUSTON - The future is hard to predict, but Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is certain he will still be the owner when the team opens up the 2011 season in Philadelphia on April 1st.  —  ""I sure know by when the season starts, I will be the owner," said McLane. "

Gregg excited about O's despite undefined role  —  Free agent signs two-year deal, but not guaranteed closer's job  —  Why did Kevin Gregg choose to sign with the Orioles this offseason?  The 32-year-old reliever immediately cited two specific reasons during a Friday morning conference call.