Arbitration process begins for Mets and Yankees  —  Major League Baseball's teams and players exchanged salary figures in the arbitration process Friday, and it's clear that the two New York clubs have significant work to do if they want to avoid taking key players to a hearing.

Clemens to Testify Under Oath  —  Roger Clemens will go to Capitol Hill on Jan. 26 to answer questions from staff members for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens's lawyer said Friday, setting the stage for a possible perjury showdown against the former trainer …

Mets avoid arbitration with Heilman  —  Righty signs one-year deal; five others remain unsigned  —  NEW YORK — More gadgets and toys probably will find their way into the Mets' clubhouse this year.  Aaron Heilman, the electronics-obsessive pitcher called “Wall Street” by some of Mets teammates …

Notes: Hardy, Bush submit figures  —  Anderson claimed off waivers; Arctic Tailgate set for Feb. 23  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy and right-hander Dave Bush are each seeking about $3 million in arbitration according to figures filed Friday, the day on which eligible players and teams swapped contract proposals.

Source: Byrd piques Cubs' interest  —  Center fielder could be traded after Hamilton's acquisition  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers may have finished putting together their team for Spring Training, but that hasn't stopped other teams from asking about their players.

Rays paying it forward … ST. PETERSBURG - By giving more than $24-million over three years to Carlos Pena and going up to nearly $4-million for a one-year, arbitration-avoiding deal with Scott Kazmir, the Rays on Friday put two of their best players under contract for the upcoming season.

Astros sign Wigginton to one-year deal  —  Team exchanges arbitration figures with four players  —  HOUSTON — The Astros avoided arbitration with third baseman Ty Wigginton by signing him to a one-year contract worth $4.35 million, plus incentives, on Friday.

Despite report, Dotel remains unsigned  —  Agent refutes story that free agent inked deal with White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Rumors of Octavio Dotel signing with the White Sox have been slightly exaggerated — at least for the time being.  —  Dan Horwits, Dotel's agent, told MLB.com …

Lefty specialist Javier Lopez and Red Sox agree to $840,000, 1-year deal  —  BOSTON (AP) -Lefty specialist Javier Lopez and the Boston Red Sox agreed Friday to an $840,000, one-year contract.  —  Lopez was 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 40 2-3 innings last season.

Team will play two games in Beijing in March  —  Dodgers Manager Joe Torre will be in Beijing on Thursday to announce a two-game exhibition series against the San Diego Padres on March 15-16.  It will be the first time two Major League Baseball teams play in China.