Sources: Cubs' Starlin Castro Accused Of Sexual Assault  —  CHICAGO (CBS) — WBBM Newsradio has learned that Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman after a night of drinking last fall.  —  As WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports exclusively …

Cubs Acquire Anthony Rizzo  —  The Cubs have acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-hander Zach Cates from the Padres for right-hander Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na, the teams announced.  The move provides the Cubs with a potential long-term first baseman and clears up first base in San Diego.

Sources: Cards' Duncan taking leave  —  Dave Duncan, one of the game's most respected pitching coaches, is taking a leave of absence from the St. Louis Cardinals, general manager John Mozeliak said Thursday night.  —  Duncan, 66, is leaving the team so he can be with his wife, Jeanine …

Source: Orioles talked to Cubs about Soriano  —  Another day passed without any news from the warehouse, leaving me with little to do besides count the number of calls and text messages that went unreturned and sweeping up about 12 pounds of pine needles that fell off my Christmas tree as I carried it outside.

Howard cleared by doctor to begin exercises  —  Phils slugger likely to start baseball activities in six weeks  —  PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. sounded relatively chipper early Thursday evening.  —  He had reason to be.  Amaro said he received encouraging news …

Mets Hire Turnaround Consultants, Put Bankruptcy On Table?  —  A source familiar with the situation has said that the Mets have hired CRG Partners — the turnaround consultants that handled the Rangers' bankruptcy sale — and that a team sale with or without bankruptcy is on the table.

Big Z's run in Chicago over with trade to Miami  —  Cubs swap embattled Zambrano for Volstad after 11 seasons  —  CHICAGO — The Cubs knew they were committed to spending $18 million in 2012 on Carlos Zambrano one way or another, but Theo Epstein wasn't convinced that the right-hander could win back the trust of his teammates.

Nats GM Mike Rizzo says nothing has changed with regard to Prince Fielder  —  The Washington Nationals and Prince Fielder.  Prince Fielder and the Washington Nationals.  With each day that ends with the slugging first baseman still on the free-agent market, the assumption grows that when it comes …

O'Brien agrees to become Penn State coach  —  New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has agreed to become Penn State's first new head football coach in nearly a half-century.  —  The Nittany Lions plan to announce O'Brien's hiring Saturday, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Minor League Transactions: Dec. 15-Jan. 3  —  For a look at the bigger picture, check out Trade Central and the Minor League Free Agent Tracker.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Signed: C Mark Reed (re-signed), 1B Mike Jacobs  —  Mike Jacobs must serve the entirety of his 50-game suspension …

Rockies trade Greg Reynolds for Chad Tracy, shipping off another first-rounder  —  As the Rockies nosedived in the standings last September, general manager Dan O'Dowd admitted that the team has to draft better to contend consistently.  —  This winter has been a painful reminder of missed picks …