Red Sox closer Bailey to have right thumb examined  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said closer Andrew Bailey will travel to Boston on Monday to have his right thumb examined.  —  Valentine made the announcement after Sunday's 5-1 win over Minnesota Twins.

Ubaldo Jimenez drills Troy Tulowitzki, benches clear, Tulo leaves with elbow injury  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A war of words turned ugly today as the Indians' Ubaldo Jimenez hit Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the left elbow with a fastball on the first pitch of his at-bat.

Sources: Cain-Giants contract talks heat up  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants did more than pack their lockers as they broke camp Sunday.  The front office also tried to wrap up right-hander Matt Cain.  —  Sources tell me that the volume of dialogue has increased between the Giants …

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.

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 …

Prince's shot, McCann's slam lead split Tigers  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Most veterans grumble when asked to make a long Grapefruit League road trip, especially with a split squad in action at home.  Prince Fielder instead made the most of his assignment, launching a booming home run Sunday …

Johan Santana to start Mets' opener  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After throwing an intensive bullpen session Saturday, New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana walked by manager Terry Collins and proclaimed: “You've got your pitcher for Thursday.”  —  A day later, after Santana met …

Peralta's homer backs up Fister's solid start  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Jhonny Peralta went all of Spring Training last year without driving in a run.  He's finishing Spring Training with a bang this year, slugging a two-run homer in the third inning to power the Tigers ahead for good in a 4-2 win …

Rockies growing old: Aging in a young man's game  —  Mind is a significant part of the battle … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige once said: “Age is a question of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”  —  New Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer wraps his arms around that philosophy.

Tampa Bay Rays giving catcher Jose Lobaton opportunity to prove himself in majors  —  Jose Lobaton, 27, might wind up catching the bulk of the games this season for the Rays.  —  Times]  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Jose Lobaton has done a lot — with his bat, with his arm, with his glove …

For Nationals' Jayson Werth, comforts of home make all the difference  —  Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post - Jayson Werth: “Maybe it's not a big deal.  Before you spend half a season in hotel, the other half in an apartment or some kind of rental, eating out a lot, you may not have a sense …

Weaver endures rough ending to spring slate  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — David DeJesus and Starlin Castro each had two hits, Minor Leaguer Chris Rusin hurled 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the Cubs beat the Angels, 8-1, at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Sunday.  —  Angels right-hander Jered Weaver …

Butera optioned to Minors in latest round of cuts  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins made another round of roster moves Saturday morning, optioning catcher Drew Butera to Triple-A Rochester, sending right-hander Kyle Waldrop to the 15-day disabled list and reassigning infielder Michael Hollimon to Minor League camp.

Francis headed to AAA  —  *The Reds will send LHP Jeff Francis to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season and be a starter, GM Walt Jocketty said on Sunday.  —  “I kind of told him that the other day,” Jocketty said.  “There's still a possibility he could pitch in the bullpen but we decided …

Mets and Jon Niese closing in on five-year deal  —  Jon Niese and the Mets are close to agreeing to a five-year contract with options for 2017 and 2018, according to beat writer reports on Twitter.  —  Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal says, while the two sides are still negotiating …