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 …

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 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.

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 …

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.

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. …