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 …

Sources: A's out to sign Fuentes  —  FOX Sports  —  The Yankees aren't the only American League contender trying to load up their bullpen.  —  The A's, who reached agreement Friday with free-agent right-hander Grant Balfour, are pushing to add free-agent lefty Brian Fuentes, major-league sources say.

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.

Shadows of the legends  —  I'm not much of a photographer.  But as I was hiking through the slush on Ipswich Street today, the shadows of Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio and Johnny Pesky were so striking in the morning sun.  —  We're here at the New Stars For Young Stars event at Jillian's.

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.

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.

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 …

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. "

A's To Sign Grant Balfour  —  The A's have agreed to sign Grant Balfour to a two-year, $8.1MM deal, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).  The deal includes a club option for 2013, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.  The A's have also agreed not to offer the reliever arbitration …