Rangers set weekend deadline on Zito  —  The Rangers have let Barry Zito's agent, Scott Boras, know that they don't plan to wait around all winter waiting for his response.  The Rangers want to hear by this weekend whether or not Zito plans to accept their contract offer.

How Good Is Your #4 Starter?  —  When pundits talk about a free-agent pitcher, they often refer to him as a "#3 starter" or, say, a "#4 starter for a contender."  It's common enough usage that most baseball fans know what that means, or at least know what the pundits are getting at.

Court: Feds may use drug testing data from 2003  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Government investigators are entitled to the names and urine samples of about 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for illegal drug use in 2003, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

Tomo Ohka, RH  —  The deal: Agent said seven teams are talking with him and that Ohka (shoulder) is healthy for spring.  Has three 10-win seasons and two 190-inning seasons in career.  The Pirates, Mariners and Nationals have interest.  —  Tony Armas Jr., RH  —  2006: 9-12, 5.03 ERA

Chris Brown, infielder in the '80s, dies after house fire  —  HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Brown, a third baseman who played six seasons in the majors in the 1980s, died Tuesday, nearly a month after he was burned in a fire at his home outside Houston.  He was 45.  —  He died at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Healthy Sledge may hit leadoff  —  M. Giles to bat 2nd, Gonzalez at cleanup  —  When the Padres signed Marcus Giles last week, it was assumed the second baseman became the leading candidate to be the Padres' leadoff hitter in 2007.  —  Not so fast.  —  The Padres are considering Terrmel Sledge …

Brewers Heat Up January With The Winter Warm-Up  —  Selig, '82 Brewers stars highlight second annual event  —  MILWAUKEE - On Thursday, January 11 at Miller Park's .300 Club, the Milwaukee Brewers will host the team's Second Annual Winter Warm-Up, an event that will serve as the official preview for the team's upcoming season.

Injuries weighed down Brewers in 2006  —  Milwaukee finished in fourth place in the NL Central race  —  When Brewers manager Ned Yost looks back at 2006, a couple of numbers jump immediately to mind:  —  Six and 17.  —  That was the Brewers' record in games started by replacements …

Braves aren't closed for business  —  It's traditionally a dead week in baseball, this week between Christmas and New Year, the industry's slowest week bookended by the over-indulgent eating and drinking holidays.  —  But this whole offseason has been about over-indulgence of a different kind in baseball …

Phillies take roller-coaster ride in 2006  —  Hot late-season run falls short; Howard named NL MVP  —  PHILADELPHIA — General manager Pat Gillick came to Philadelphia with a track record of successful stints in Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle.  He spoke of adding five more wins to the ledger and securing a postseason berth.

Smith hoping Sutter paved path to Hall  —  Former saves leader looks to join fellow closer in Cooperstown  —  Bruce Sutter slammed a lot of doors during his Hall of Fame pitching career.  For a change, with his 2006 election, he opened a wide one — through which deserving closers are expected …