Branyan re-signed, continues back rehab  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Russell Branyan thought that a strong spring might have him breaking camp in a Yankees uniform, but the 36-year-old slugger wasn't able to get to the plate for even a single at-bat.  —  Branyan suffered a herniated disc in his lower …

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero ‘sick of going home in October’  —  CLEARWATER, FLA.—Ricky Romero is done with spring training.  —  So antsy to be rid of the exhibition season is the Blue Jays' ace lefty that after his final Grapefruit League start was cut short by a windy downpour, he was already looking beyond the regular season.

Pujols' homer backs strong start from Richards  —  MESA, Ariz. — Albert Pujols belted his sixth spring home run for the Angels, but the Cubs scored the equalizing run in the sixth inning when Reed Johnson stole home to force a 3-3 tie on Saturday.  —  Howie Kendrick doubled with one out in the Angels …

Bourgeois sees time at second base  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Jason Bourgeois played the last two innings at second base for the Royals on Saturday.  But he had no fielding chances.  —  “I got to see him stand out there,” manager Ned Yost said wryly.  “But he looked good standing.”

Pelfrey surprised job was on line  —  JUPITER, Fla. — For most players, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when spring training switches from simply getting your work in to pitching for your job.  —  Not for Mike Pelfrey.  Not this year.  —  That precise moment occurred two days …

Kershaw puts final touches on solid spring  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In a game featuring Opening Day starters Ian Kennedy and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers beat the D-backs, 9-3, on Saturday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields.  —  The Dodgers jumped on Kennedy …

Gutierrez cleared to throw, Millwood reunites with teammates  —  Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez, who will open the season on the disabled list from a partially torn pectoral muscle, says he is ahead of schedule on his rehab.  —  “I'm recovering fast,” he said.  “I feel good.”

Gamel slams as Brewers blast Padres  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Mat Gamel hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run third inning and later added a solo shot Saturday as the Brewers defeated the Padres, 10-7, in a Cactus League game at the Peoria Sports Complex.  —  Milwaukee pitcher Chris Narveson allowed …

Baseball Predictions Are Much Better In Hindsight  —  Suppose you brought all the smartest baseball kids on the block together, locked them in a house for two weeks with an unlimited supply of Twinkies and beer, and asked them to pool all their statistical tools to predict the upcoming baseball season?

Agents owning teams is ethical dilemma  —  A decade ago, Scott Boras, Jeff Moorad and Arn Tellem were perhaps baseball's most influential agents.  That was before Moorad left his practice to become part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004.  Moorad later moved to the San Diego Padres …

Correia roughed up as Pirates fall to Twins  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins jumped on right-hander Kevin Correia and a split-squad Pirates team Saturday afternoon, winning 15-3 at Minnesota's Hammond Stadium.  —  Six Twins had multiple hits, including three from the first two batters in the lineup, Denard Span and Trevor Plouffe.