Nationals aggressively shopping Lannan  —  The Washington Nationals, even after acquiring left-hander Gio Gonzalez and signing him to a five-year, $42 million extension, might not be done adjusting their starting rotation.  —  The team is aggressively shopping left-hander John Lannan, according to major-league sources.

Sources: Rangers' Josh Hamilton has relapse with alcohol at area bar  —  Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, recovering from alcohol and drug addictions, had a relapse this week in his quest to remain sober.  —  According to individuals familiar with the episode, Hamilton drank alcohol Monday night at Sherlock's Pub & Grill in Dallas.

Police: Woman extorted Brian Cashman  —  NEW YORK — A woman has been charged with stalking and shaking down New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.  —  Louise Neathway was arraigned Thursday night in Manhattan Criminal Court.  Prosecutors said she extorted $6,000 from Cashman …

White Sox, Dodgers set Tucson charity game  —  Funds will benefit Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Foundation  —  CHICAGO — The White Sox will once again play a Spring Training charity game in Tucson, Ariz., taking on the Dodgers during 2012 Cactus League action on Friday, March 23.

Draft dodgers no more  —  Can the Dominican Republic avoid Puerto Rico's fate?  —  Try a cricket bat instead  —  SEEN from the air, much of Puerto Rico's northern coast is a mosaic of rooftops and treetops dotted with countless baseball diamonds.  The island of 4m has sent a total …

Former Cubs skipper Mike Quade has some advice for new Sox manager Robin Ventura  —  The Chicago White Sox held a news conference to introduce Robin Ventura as the club's 39th manager.  Robin Ventura and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf met the press.  Al Podgorski~Chicago Sun~Times

Source: Cuban pitching star agrees with Cubs  —  SANTO DOMINGO — Cuban left handed starter Gerardo Concepcion, an 18-year-old phenom who defected last June, has reached a $7 million guaranteed contract with the Chicago Cubs, a source close to the negotiation told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.

Tino Martinez savors place in Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame  —  Tino Martinez only met Ted Williams once, a chance passing at Fenway Park in the early 1990s when Martinez was first establishing himself as a major-leaguer.  Martinez, the quiet kid from Tampa, stumbled through a forgettable version …

Sources: Indians, Kotchman agree to one-year deal  —  Two people familiar with the talks say the Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman.  —  Kotchman, who batted a career-best .306 for Tampa Bay last season …

Astros minicamp to feature seven top pitching prospects, plus minor league injury notes  —  Seven of the Astros' top pitching prospects will take part in a scaled-down version of minicamp this year.  —  The seven are mostly older prospects and intentionally include none of the arms selected in the 2011 draft.

Tampa Bay Rays, pitcher Jeff Niemann set to begin arbitration hearing  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Neither side particularly wants to be in a hotel room today, arguing over how much pitcher Jeff Niemann should be worth to the Rays this season.  —  But the lack of an agreement by the Jan. 17 filing deadline led …

Billionaire Steve Cohen buying a share in Mets  —  Billionaire investor Steve Cohen, who is in the running to purchase of the Dodgers, is close to buying a $20 million share of the Mets, Bill Shaikin reports in the LA Times.  —  “If Cohen were to buy the Dodgers, he would have to sell his stake in the Mets,” Shaikin says.