Reds, Joey Votto Nearing Extension  —  5:20pm: Heyman hears that the deal is ten total years and worth almost exactly $200MM (Twitter links).  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms, saying it'll be exactly ten years and $200MM.  —  4:49pm: Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that it's …

Details of Matt Cain's new contract  —  UPDATE FROM HENRY SCHULMAN, REPORTING FROM INTERSTATE 5: As we reported, this is a five-year, $112.5 million extension with club option for 2018 that vests automatically for $21 million if Cain hits an innings target in 2017.

Josh Beckett getting exam but is expected to make his first start  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett has a thumb injury that is being checked out today in San Antonio, Texas.  But manager Bobby Valentine said he “totally” expects Beckett to start against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Braves reliever Martinez arrested for DUI - updated  —  Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez was arrested early Monday morning in Gwinnett County on charges of DUI, after allegedly weaving in and out of a lane and traveling at a low speed on I-85, confirmed Gwinnett County police spokesman Corporal Jake Smith.

Hudson has first outing of spring for Braves  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Tim Hudson made his first appearance of the spring, allowing an infield single over two innings for the Atlanta Braves in an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets.  —  Ruben Tejada hit a three-run homer and Bobby Parnell allowed two hits over three innings for New York.

Jimenez gets five-game ban for hitting Tulowitzki … GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Cleveland Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was suspended for five games and fined by Major League Baseball on Monday for intentionally throwing at Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki during a spring training game.

Reds LH Chapman moved back to bullpen  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Cincinnati Reds' injury-depleted bullpen after spending spring training getting ready to be a starter.  —  Chapman, entering his third season with Cincinnati …

Upton targeting return by mid-April  —  CF B.J. Upton said he is making good progress in his recovery from back soreness and is targeting a rerturn during the April 10-19 roadtrip to Detroit, Boston and Toronto.  —  “That's what we're shooting for,” Upton said this morning.

Miss America to throw out ceremonial first pitch  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The reigning Miss America will throw a ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers' Opening Day game, part of festivities announced by the club on Monday.  —  Milwaukee's season opener is Friday against the Cardinals at Miller Park.

Bay may start to lose grip on regular LF job  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Bay won't lose his starting job this week or likely even this month, but it doesn't mean the Mets left fielder is untouchable.  —  Though the idea has not yet reached the discussion stage among team executives …

Power Rankings: Yankees in top spot to start year  —  ESPN.com  —  A new season awaits.  Could a new champion be crowned once it's all said and done?  We shall see.  —  The New York Yankees sit atop of our first MLB Power Rankings of the season.  —  The Texas Rangers …

The powerful piece of paper that is the Tampa Bay Rays lease  —  The threat begins on page 32 of the document.  It doesn't sound scary at all.  —  And, yet, it is the reason politicians, business leaders and maybe even the commissioner of baseball are careful what they say about a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.