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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Roster decisions remain for Gibson, D-backs  —  PHOENIX — With just over a week until Opening Day, decision time is looming on the 25-man roster.  —  While it would seem like the D-backs' roster is pretty well set, manager Kirk Gibson said not so fast.  —  “I have, probably, in my mind a pretty good idea,” Gibson said.

Ogando headed to Rangers' bullpen  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando started a game on Wednesday afternoon.  It could well be the last game he starts for some time.  —  At some point in the next day or two, manager Ron Washington is going to sit down with Ogando and tell him that he is headed for the bullpen.

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.

Greene looks likely to win second-base job  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Though the club has not made any sort of pronouncement about who will be the starting second baseman, recent Spring Training lineups would suggest that there actually remains very little suspense.