Sprained shoulder lands Carp on disabled list  —  TOKYO — Mariners left fielder Mike Carp was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday, and the club recalled Carlos Peguero from Triple-A Tacoma to take his place.  —  Carp, 25, suffered a sprained right shoulder diving for a double hit …

Cook being viewed as only starter, not reliever  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The question with Aaron Cook is simply this: Will he start the season in the Red Sox's starting rotation or on a Minor League rehab assignment so he can get more stretched out?  —  Manager Bobby Valentine has ruled …

Warrant: Southington native MLB pitcher Pavano target of extortion bid  —  SOUTHINGTON — The family of major league pitcher Carl Pavano told police that a former Southington High School classmate was trying to extort money and a luxury SUV from Pavano by threatening to reveal personal information about him …

Yankees close to paring down bevy of pitchers  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Joe Girardi can see it coming and soon.  —  Before the weekend is out, the Yankees' starting rotation could be pared down to five - a decision that Girardi said probably will be his toughest spring training call in five seasons as their manager.

Reyes, Hanley dye hair in Marlins color  —  JUPITER, Fla. — They're together on the left side of the Marlins infield.  Away from the field, they regularly play PlayStation.  Now, they've colored their hair together.  —  Since the Marlins have red-orange as a prominent color …

Toronto Blue Jays add veteran infielder Omar Vizquel to major-league roster  —  DUNEDIN, FLA.—When Omar Vizquel made the cut for his first major-league team, the Seattle Mariners in 1989, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was an 11-year-old elementary school student.

Hamels strikes out seven in strong outing  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels looks more than ready for his 2012 regular-season debut.  —  Hamels allowed three hits, one run and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings on Thursday in a 2-1 victory over the Rays at Bright House Field.

Decision on Lilly's status expected Friday  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly said his stiff neck improved  —  enough to throw a bullpen session Thursday, but team trainers put it off one more day, when the club will decide whether Lilly opens the season on the active roster or disabled list.

Stan Kasten Should Not Fire Ned Colletti  —  ...at least not now, anyway.  —  I've been seeing a surprising amount of unhappiness from Dodger fans over a series of notes from Bill Shaikin, Dylan Hernandez, and Tim Brown, who all claim that Stan Kasten not only plans to make no immediate moves …

Minor League Transactions: March 20-26  —  For many players, the mid- to late portion of spring training brings assignments to minor league camp in preparation for the season.  For others, it brings to an end their time with the organization that in many cases originally signed them.

Ceda will likely need Tommy John surgery  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A week ago, Jose Ceda was putting himself in position to win a spot in the Marlins' bullpen.  —  Now, the right-hander is facing possible surgery.  —  Ceda has an elbow sprain, and he appears likely to have Tommy John surgery.