Victor Martinez Likely Out For Season With Torn ACL  —  Catcher/designated hitter Victor Martinez suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his off-season conditioning last week, according to the Tigers.  Surgery is anticipated, which the Tigers say would cost Martinez the 2012 season.

Big gulf between Red Sox and Big Papi  —  Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Red Sox submitted $12.65 million as a proposed salary for David Ortiz.  The DH is seeking $16.5 million.  —  Given that Ortiz made $12.5 million last year, the offer of a 1.2 percent raise from the Sox seems a little low.

Rangers' revival is gaining steam  —  The Yu Darvish contract drama will end this week.  Our fascination with the Texas Rangers will not.  —  For a once-irrelevant franchise, that's an achievement to rival the consecutive pennants.  —  Darvish and the Rangers must agree on a deal by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday …

Tim Lincecum asks $21.5M in arbitration  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants ace Tim Lincecum asked for $21.5 million in salary arbitration Tuesday and was offered $17 million by the club.  —  The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner's request neared the record amount sought in arbitration.

Cole Hamels shatters record (for now) with $15 million deal  —  Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels won't be a free agent until November, but found a way Tuesday to still hit the jackpot.  —  Hamels agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract, the highest salary ever paid to an arbitration-eligible pitcher before free agency.

Angels agree to terms with SS Erick Abyar on 2012 deal  —  The Angels avoided arbitration with Erick Aybar on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with the shortstop on a $5.075-million deal for 2012, and they will continue their attempts to secure the slick-fielding switch-hitter to a long-term deal.

Brewers, K-Rod settle for $8 million  —  The Brewers and reliever Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract just ahead of Tuesday's deadline for arbitration-eligible players and their teams to exchange figures.  —  Rodriguez was the team's trickiest case because he was a free agent …

Cardinals meet Obama minus Pujols, La Russa  —  WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday dubbed the St. Louis Cardinals the “greatest comeback team in the history of baseball” thanks to their thrilling late-season charge into the playoffs and death-defying, seven-game triumph in last November's World Series.

Mets' Ike Davis working the comeback trail  —  In moments of despair last summer, Mets first baseman Ike Davis admits, he had the thought no baseball player in his mid-20s should ever have:  —  Is my career over?  —  When he was sitting alone in a hotel room in Port St. Lucie, Fla. …

Astros To Sign Jack Cust  —  The Astros have agreed to sign Jack Cust, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.  It's a one-year deal with a club option for 2013, Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle tweets.  TWC Sports represents the corner outfielder/DH.  —  Cust, 33, averaged 28 homers …

Braves ink Moylan to Minor League deal  —  ATLANTA — Peter Moylan will have a chance to prove he is healthy and regain his spot in the Braves bullpen.  —  Moylan has signed a Minor League contract with the Braves and accepted an invitation to compete for a job in Spring Training.

Villanueva inks one-year deal, avoids arbitration  —  The Blue Jays have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $2,277,500 with pitcher Carlos Villanueva, thus avoiding salary arbitration with the right-hander.  —  Villanueva appeared in 33 games (13 starts) last season for the Blue Jays, posting a 6-4 record and a 4.04 ERA.