Brewers' Ryan Braun, NL MVP, pleads case to special panel Thursday trying to avoid 50-game suspension after failing drug test with elevated testosterone level  —  Brewers slugger wants to start season  —  Ryan Braun is trying to avoid a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball.

Gary Carter's fight with cancer takes turn for the worse; new tumors found on NY Mets Hall of Famer's brain  —  Family reveals Kid's grave condition after recent MRI  —  Gary Carter, one of the heroes of the '86 World Series champion NY Mets (below), is found to have four small tumors …

Cherington confident about Red Sox's rotation  —  BOSTON — The Boston Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner, which took place Thursday night, is always the first hint that Spring Training is finally in the not-too-distant future.  And when it comes to the 2012 Red Sox …

Fausto Carmona arrested in Dominican Republic for using false identity  —  Jorge Arangure of ESPN.com passes along word from reporter Yancen Pujols that Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic and is being charged with using a false identity.

Petaluma's Jonny Gomes nearing a deal with the A's  —  A source close to the situation tells me that Petaluma's favorite son, Jonny Gomes, is so close to signing a contract with the A's “he could be in green and gold by Monday,” and a second source confirmed that a deal is likely.

Leave the Gun.  Take the Cannoli.  —  I can't relate to pitchers.  I had to take the ball from the second grade up through freshman year of high school and I hated it most of the time.  I could hit, though, until it was too dark out to see the ball.  If my dad's arm didn't get tired, we might still be out there.

Rockies' Nicasio set to compete; Betancourt's contract extended  —  Juan Nicasio commanded attention Thursday when he walked into the Coors Field clubhouse, but not for the one-inch scar on his neck.  He had a mohawk.  —  “I like it,” said Nicasio, joking that friend and teammate Esmil Rogers cut it.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 third basemen  —  Rockies slugger, Minors RBI leader Arenado heads list … Over the past few years, there seemed to be a dearth of legitimate prospects at the hot corner.  While it might not quite be a full-on renaissance, this year's Top 10 third-base prospect list does …

Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez helping UM pal Jon Jay with celebrity bowling tournament  —  Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez will participate in Jon Jay's Celebrity Bowling Challenge on Jan. 28 at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach.  —  Jay, an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, is good friends with Sanchez.

The Nationals look like Prince Fielder favorites  —  My instant analysis from last night concerning the effect of Yu Darvish's contract on Prince Fielder already seems woefully wrong.  I still liked the Rangers' chances to land Fielder, and then Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said of signing him …

Tribe inks Lewis, Accardo to Minor League deals  —  Pair invited to Spring Training as non-roster players  —  CLEVELAND — One of the Indians' goals for this offseason was to add a group of experienced players to add depth behind the Major League roster.  The result has been a wave of signings to address that area of need.

Veteran infielder Cabrera plans to retire  —  Two-time Gold Glove Award winner played for nine clubs  —  Long-time utility infielder Orlando Cabrera announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Wednesday while a guest on a Colombian radio station.