Reds, Joey Votto Nearing Extension  —  12:14pm: Votto confirmed to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that an extension is close. … It's a gray area" (Twitter link).  —  11:40am: Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols won't be the only first basemen to cash in with historic contracts this offseason.

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.

Cain agrees to $127.5M, 6-year deal with Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain has that hefty new contract he hoped for before opening day.  —  Cain and the San Francisco Giants agreed Monday to a $127.5 million, six-year contract, the largest deal for a right-handed pitcher in baseball history.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

Mets' Dickey Spiked While Covering 1st Base  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets starter R.A. Dickey needed two stitches in his right heel after being spiked Sunday in a 9-2 loss to a split squad of Detroit Tigers.  —  Dickey was covering first base when Corey Jones stepped on him in the third inning.