Crisp Gets Three-Year Extension  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox secured another one of their core players Wednesday when they agreed to a three-year, $15.5 million contract extension with center fielder Coco Crisp.  —  "We've made a concerted effort to reach agreement with players who we feel are on the upswing …

Ross' 7-RBI outburst may change Dodgers' minds  —  PITTSBURGH — If this was Cody Ross' last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he certainly gave them something to remember him by.  —  Ross hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in successive at-bats and the Dodgers rode a big game …

Chat transcript: Matthews the Rangers' leadoff answer?  —  Russ: Two questions: Do you forsee Brad Wilkerson moving down in the lineup and Ian Kinsler moving to leadoff?  Is it time for Laynce Nix to go back to the minors?  OK, one more, if this road trip continues on the downfall, could Buck Showalter be out relatively soon?

Greene could have been a Cardinal  —  MIAMI - Back in 1998, when the Padres were destined to go to a World Series, Khalil Greene was choosing shortstop over a big payoff from the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  "The Cardinals told me that if Khalil would have agreed to switch to catcher …

Nationals recall outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris from Triple-A New Orleans  —  Outfielder Brandon Watson and catcher Wiki Gonzalez optioned to New Orleans  —  The Washington Nationals today recalled outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris from Triple-A New Orleans …

Law of economics rules starters' wage scale  —  In between golf, fishing, working out and whatever other activities kept them busy in the offseason, pitchers entering the last year of their contracts noticed a pleasant development — the price of starting pitching skyrocketed again over the winter.

Brewers beat Cards at own game  —  Fundamentally sound play leads to 4-3 victory in St. Louis  —  ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers were under strict instructions to play more like the St. Louis Cardinals.  You should not go wrong following orders like this and the Brewers didn't.

Backe departs with sprained elbow  —  Houston starter lasts two innings against Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Backe threw a fastball to Lance Niekro and immediately knew something wasn't right.  His pitching coach and head athletic trainer knew it, too, and soon after …

Martinez wins duel against Nats  —  This was what they all came to see, why more than 5,000 fans waited hours in line to buy day-of-game tickets and were willing to miss several innings to do so.  —  Bottom of the sixth.  One-run game.  Bases loaded.  One out.  Pedro Martinez on the mound.

Arizona noticing Colorado's revival  —  Phoenix - For eight seasons, opponents have arrived at first base and offered Rockies star Todd Helton sympathy.  "Wait until next year" was more a warning than a condolence.  —  One week into Year 2 of a full-blown youth movement, everything is different.

Manny Being Manny  —  The season's barely started and Manny Ramirez has already pulled a classic stunt.  While watching the Red Sox home opener, Uni Watch noticed that Manny had a pin on his jersey, or a button, or something, right between "Red" and "Sox.".

Notes: Mulholland to the DL  —  Daigle turning heads; Green getting comfortable  —  PHOENIX — The Diamondbacks on Wednesday placed left-hander Terry Mulholland on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of reliever Casey Daigle from Triple-A Tucson.