Elarton settles down in Phillies' loss to Tigers  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the defending American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner, picked up right where he left off through his first four Grapefruit League starts on Sunday, leading Detroit …

Lavarnway and Iglesias could offer major help  —  The two best players at the catcher and shortstop positions in the Red Sox organization are Ryan Lavarnway and Jose Iglesias.  If they don't make the final 25-man roster, you have to wonder what's going on.  —  Iglesias saves runs …

A's beat Yomiuri Giants 5-0 in exhibition game  —  TOKYO—Kurt Suzuki hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning and Tommy Milone pitched five scoreless innings and the Oakland Athletics beat the Yomiuri Giants 5-0 in an exhibition game on Sunday.  —  Suzuki connected off Yomiuri …

Elbow injury sidelines Madson for season  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Before he ever got to pitch in a game for the Reds, the season is already over for new closer Ryan Madson.  —  Following an examination in Cincinnati Saturday morning, the club said that Madson's elbow ligament had torn off of the bone.

NY Mets Mike Pelfrey delivers another shaky outing Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals  —  But pitching coach Dan Warthen remains patient with the right-hander  —  Mike Pelfrey allows five runs in six innings during his most recent outing on Saturday.

Brett Lawrie bound for greatness  —  After only 43 games, 22-year-old Blue Jays 3B rapidly making a name for himself  —  Lawrie Showing Natural Leadership  —  Blue Jays manager John Farrell comments on the maturity and leadership of Brett Lawrie.  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — If you utter that magic word …

John Williams composes ‘Fanfare for Fenway’  —  Conductor John Williams has composed a musical tribute in honor of Fenway Park's 100th anniversary.  The piece, entitled “Fanfare for Fenway” is slightly more than three minutes long, and it was played and recorded Saturday at Symphony Hall …

Chipper Jones to miss start of farewell season  —  Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones will miss the start of his farewell season.  —  Two days after Jones announced this will be his final year, Braves general manager Frank Wren said Saturday that Jones will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair torn meniscus in his left knee.

Pregame notes: Chamberlain eyeing best-case scenario  —  Joba Chamberlain could be released from the hospital as early as today, and while much of the focus has been on the worst-case scenario for his dislocated ankle, it seems we now have an idea of the best-case scenario.

Hairston admits to lingering shoulder discomfort  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston, signed to a two-year, $6 million contract during the offseason, revealed to the club Saturday that he's been playing with a right shoulder still injured from last year's playoffs.