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.

Wrist surgery for Carl Crawford  —  Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford had surgery on his left wrist in Arizona today.  GM Ben Cherington said Crawford should be recovered to play “the bulk” of the season.  —  The surgery was done in Arizona by Dr. Donald Sheridan.

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.

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 …

Brewers Avoid Arbitration With Francisco Rodriguez  —  The Brewers announced they've avoided arbitration with reliever Francisco Rodriguez, signing the Scott Boras client to a one-year deal.  K-Rod had accepted the team's arbitration offer rather than continue as a free agent.

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.

Astros To Sign Jack Cust  —  The Astros have agreed to sign Jack Cust, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.  Rosenthal reported a two-year deal, but 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.

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. …

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.

Dodgers strike 1-year deals with Ethier, Loney  —  Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier and first baseman James Loney avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to terms on one-year contracts.  —  Ethier will receive $10.95 million this season and an additional $25,000 for each of 600 and 625 plate appearances.

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.

Choo among five avoiding arbitration with Tribe  —  All-Star shortstop Cabrera, lefty reliever Perez unsigned  —  CLEVELAND — It has been more than two decades since the Indians went to an arbitration hearing.  Cleveland now sits two signatures away from maintaining that negotiation streak for another offseason.

An interview with Robert Creamer  —  He was born when Babe Ruth was in just his third season as a Yankee slugger.  He went to his first baseball game when John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson were still managing.  His tenure at Sports Illustrated began months before the first issue of the magazine printed in 1954.