Will Middlebrooks no overnight sensation  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Upon being drafted by the Red Sox [team stats] in the fifth round in 2008, Will Middlebrooks was a tall, fresh-faced Texan straight out of central casting for “Friday Night Lights.”  He even played quarterback at Liberty-Eylau High …

Casey Blake tells the Register that he's retiring  —  Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 1 Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 2 Conversation with Casey Blake - Part 3 Casey Blake in haunted house  —  Major League Baseball veteran Casey Blake said today that he officially has decided to retire …

Brewers Extend Melvin, Roenicke  —  The Brewers announced that they have extended the contracts of their general manager and field manager.  Doug Melvin, the club's GM since 2002, receives a promotion to president of baseball operations under his new contract, which runs through 2015.

Teams Dig For Ways Around New International Rules  —  Whenever Major League Baseball changes the rules, people throughout the industry learn how to adjust.  —  As soon as MLB announced the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in November that will limit each team to a $2.9 million international bonus pool …

On Pedroia, Gonzalez and perceptions  —  KANSAS CITY — Here's a little lunch time quiz for you.  —  Red Sox Player A: Is 13 of 33 (.394) with runners in scoring position this season with a .425 in-base percentage and .606 slugging percentage.  He has 15 RBIs this season.

Andy Pettitte will make first start for Yankees Sunday against Seattle Mariners, Brian Cashman says  —  Lefty made three minor league starts in comeback bid  —  In four minor league appearances, Andy Pettitte pitches to a 3.71 ERA.  —  The waiting is over.  Andy Pettitte is on his way back to the Bronx.

Yankees closer Rivera can't set date for surgery  —  Mariano Rivera's visit with surgeons yesterday was expected to result in a date for surgery to repair a torn right ACL.  —  However, things didn't go as smoothly as expected for the Yankees closer.  —  “We ran into complications,” agent Fernando Cuza told The Post.

Leyland thinks Hamels' suspension is light  —  SEATTLE — Tigers manager Jim Leyland is considered an old-school manager by many, but he considers Cole Hamels' move to hit Bryce Harper with a pitch anything but that.  Leyland told Tigers play-by-play broadcaster Dan Dickerson …

Evil Empire?  Rockies' Jerry McMorris first called out the Yankees in 2002  —  Jerry McMorris, then owner of the Colorado Rockies and seen at left, at Coors Field in 2001 when then-president George W. Bush watched a game in Denver.  —  Contrary to long-held belief, it was not former Boston …

Penny cut by Japanese team after one start  —  Former major league right-hander Brad Penny has been released from his contract with Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League, the team announced on Tuesday.  —  Penny has offers to pitch both as a starter and a reliever in the major leagues …

10,000 days ago: Marge Schott becomes Reds owner  —  10,000 days ago, the Cincinnati Reds got a new owner: Marge Schott.  Her reign would prove to be one of the most controversial in the annals of recent American sports ownership.  —  As to the controversies around Schott (oh, wear to begin).

Mariners Rally for 3 Runs in 9th to Top Tigers 3-2  —  SEATTLE (AP) — John Jaso's sacrifice fly capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.  —  Octavio Dotel came on in the ninth for Detroit …

Zambrano Tosses 3-Hitter as Marlins Top Astros 4-0  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Carlos Zambrano pitched a three-hitter for his first win of the season and Giancarlo Stanton extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-run homer, leading the Miami Marlins to their seventh straight win with a 4- victory …