Yankees win arbitration case with Wang  —  TAMPA — Chien-Ming Wang lost his salary arbitration case against the New York Yankees on Friday, dropping players to 0-4 this year.  —  Wang, a 19-game winner in each of the last two seasons, was awarded $4 million instead of his request …

Tigers' Inge: ‘I will never be a cancer around this team’  —  LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Inge is upset about his situation with the Detroit Tigers.  Manager Jim Leyland is struggling with it, too.  —  Both are determined to make the best of it.  —  Inge asked the Tigers to trade …

‘Moneyball’ subject Brown tells A's he's retiring  —  PHOENIX — Catcher Jeremy Brown, one of the central subjects in the book “Moneyball” that chronicled Billy Beane's unconventional methods as Oakland general manager, told the Athletics he's calling it a career.

SPRING TRAINING  —  Molina: Giants don't need HRs  —  (02-15) 04:00 PST Scottsdale, Ariz. — To the legions of doubters who think the Giants will be too impotent to win games in 2008, catcher Bengie Molina offers a piece of jewelry as his counterargument.  It is his 2002 World Series championship ring …

Reds sign Phillips to four-year deal  —  Contract worth reported $27 million ends threat of arbitration  —  The Reds agreed to terms on Friday with second baseman Brandon Phillips on a four-year contract with a club option for 2012 worth at least $27 million.  —  The agreement means the two sides avoid arbitration.

Making the grades  —  How did each team do this winter?; news and notes  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Time to finally put down the gavel, and to pick up some bats and baseballs.  It was great to see Johan Santana throwing in the pen here Thursday morning and Pedro Martinez tossing …

Mets name Sandy Alomar, Jr. catching instructor  —  FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today named Sandy Alomar, Jr. the club's catching instructor.  —  Alomar, 41, concluded a 20-year major league career last season with the Mets.  The six-time American League All-Star and recipient …

WFAN and Nike Experience Spring Training The Wright Way Contest  —  Hey Mets Fans, how would you and a friend like to join David Wright at Spring Training in sunny Florida?  Simply enter you information below and one lucky winner and a guest will win this great trip to watch David Wright and the team in Port St. Lucie this March.

Notes: Ozzie prepared to turn up heat  —  After difficult '07 season, Guillen fired up for spring  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — As Ozzie Guillen traveled from Florida to Arizona for his fifth year at the helm of the White Sox, beginning Saturday morning when pitchers and catchers report to the Kino Sports Complex …

Willits energized after surprise surgery  —  Gallbladder procedure cures outfielder's ailments  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Upon further review, Reggie Willits' rookie season with the Angels was even more amazing than anyone realized.  —  Bothered all season by persistent pains in the stomach and rib cage, Willits persevered.

KCAL, FSN Prime Ticket to present 150 Dodgers telecasts in 2008  —  Schedule includes Spring Training and regular season telecasts  —  LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will present more than 150 games on television in 2008, including 50 from KCAL and 100 from FSN PRIME TICKET.

Pap strikes balance  —  Closer full of fun, yet focused … FORT MYERS - Right before our eyes, Jonathan Papelbon [stats] has transformed himself from dazzling but mostly low-key rookie to Top Gun closer and nationally recognized Dancin' Man.  —  And he seems to have pulled it off without raising …