Zimmerman plays three innings in Florida  —  WASHINGTON — Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman returned to action Wednesday, playing three innings in an extended Spring Training game in Viera, Fla.  —  Zimmerman, on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, planned on playing only three innings in the contest …

Bautista leads, but Yanks rack up All-Star votes  —  Six New Yorkers in position to start; Young in front at DH  —  Jose Bautista — who leads everyone in home runs — also leads everyone in votes, altruistic Rangers veteran Michael Young is in contention to earn a start at a third different position …

Wilpons should do the right thing and retire Carter's No. 8 with Mets  —  Mets on Twitter  —  The disgrace is that the Mets had 22 years to do the right thing based on performance, based on accomplishment, based on Gary Carter's inviolable place in the collective heart of their fans.

Source: Dice-K opting for Tommy John surgery  —  BOSTON — Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has elected to have Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow and intends to inform the team of his decision when he meets with club officials Friday morning, according to a baseball source.

World Baseball Classic expands to 28 teams  —  The field for the world's largest international baseball tournament is getting even bigger.  —  World Baseball Classic Inc. announced Wednesday the introduction of a play-in round to the 2013 installation of the World Baseball Classic …

Dr. Damon Noto On Stem Cell Surgery: “You've just seen the tip of the iceberg here.  This is really going to explode.  —  Dr. Damon Noto is one of five doctors in the United State that performs the surgery that Yankees right-hander Bartolo Colon underwent last offseason to repair damaged ligaments …

Hanson's 6 Strong Innings Lead Braves Past Padres  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Tommy Hanson went six strong innings on a sweltering night and center fielder Jordan Schafer made an outstanding catch for the final out, leading the Atlanta Braves past San Diego 4-3 Wednesday and preventing the Padres from sweeping the series.

Did Dustin Pedroia tag out Juan Pierre?  —  The Red Sox caught White Sox outfielder Juan Pierre in a rundown in the fifth inning of today's game, and Globe photographer Barry Chin caught the play with his camera.  —  Umpire Marty Foster ruled Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia missed …

Reds Rally Late to Beat Brewers 4-3  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Jay Bruce and Joey Votto hit two-run homers during Cincinnati's late comeback, and Francisco Cordero got his 300th career save Wednesday night, securing the Reds' 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  The struggling Reds won …

Pirates score nine unsanswered runs to topple Mets  —  NEW YORK — Kevin Correia became the first eight-game winner in the majors and the pesky Pittsburgh Pirates scratched out five infield singles in a five-run seventh inning to beat the New York Mets 9-3 on Wednesday night.

Tomlin earns 7th win, Indians beat Blue Jays 13-9  —  (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)  —  TORONTO—Matt LaPorta hit a three-run homer and Cleveland built a big lead from the very start, helping Josh Tomlin and the Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 13-9 Wednesday night.

Ordonez to begin rehab with Toledo on Friday  —  DETROIT — Tigers manager Jim Leyland has talked with frequency about his offense treading water until Magglio Ordonez returns, when he hopes he can get the contributions Ordonez made at the plate last year.  He won't have to wait much longer to find out.

Orioles Appear Poised To Spend This Winter  —  The American League East appears to be as strong as always this year, but the Orioles have something to look forward to despite their last place 24-29 record.  Orioles people are saying they'll have significant money to spend after the season, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.

Astros beat Cubs, rallying for six in ninth  —  CHICAGO (AP) Jordan Lyles didn't get the win in his major league debut, but he certainly made a big splash.  —  The 20-year-old right-hander pitched seven brilliant innings, but earned a no-decision as the Houston Astros came back to beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Stunning, but true: Rockies tumble into fourth place after wretched May  —  Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, right reacts after striking out during the second inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 31, 2011.  —  LOS ANGELES — The fourth-place Rockies.