Jon Lester set to ink deal  —  FORT MYERS - Sometime this morning, Jon Lester [stats] and the Red Sox [team stats] are expected to announce the worst kept secret of the spring - that he has signed a $30 million contract extension.  —  Yesterday, Lester was scratched from a scheduled start …

Spring Game 19: Twins at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Andy Pettitte, Phil Coke, Jose Veras.  —  TWINS  —  Span LF  —  Hughes 2B  —  Gomez CF  —  Kubel DH  —  Harris 3B  —  Buscher 1B  —  Redmond C  —  Winfree RF  —  Plouffe SS

Padres sign RHP Duaner Sanchez ...  PEORIA, Ariz. - In their never-ending quest to solidify their bullpen, the Padres signed 29-year-old right-hander Duaner Sanchez to a Minor League contract, general manager Kevin Towers confirmed Sunday.  —  Sanchez was released by the New York Mets on March 10.

Roster cuts begin wtih Stockman  —  Parr among Braves moves expected to be announced Monday  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Phil Stockman's injury-plagued career with the Braves came to a close on Sunday when he was given his unconditional release.  —  Stockman made just one Grapefruit League appearance …

President Hugo Chavez rips Venezuelan fans for booing Magglio Ordonez at WBC  —  CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez came to the defense of Magglio Ordonez on Sunday, slamming Venezuelan baseball fans who booed the major leaguer at the World Baseball Classic.

Astros pare down roster  —  Six players sent to Minor League camps on Sunday  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Prior to leaving for their road game with the Braves on Sunday, the Astros made six moves, paring their Spring Training roster to 47.  —  Five were optioned to Triple-A Round Rock …

Japan shuts down Cuba in WBC's second round  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pitching in the same ballpark where he led Japan to the inaugural WBC title three years ago, Boston Red Sox ace Daisuke Matsuzaka was brilliant in leading Japan to a 6-0 win over Cuba in the second round of the World Baseball Classic on Sunday.

Team USA makes a mockery of WBC mission  —  Buzz up!  —  MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - The World Baseball Classic is a farce.  There's no other way to put it.  As much great baseball as it showcases, and as much as it means to other countries, until the United States starts treating the games …

Bannister's stats don't tell whole story  —  After allowing six runs in 4 2/3 innings, righty feels he improved  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Brian Bannister's bottom line was worse, but the Royals' right-hander felt he pitched better on Saturday in an 11-3 loss to the D-backs.

Mariners claim Delgado from Marlins  —  Righty came in Beckett deal, spent 2008 mostly in Double-A  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Former Marlins right-hander Jesus Delgado was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Sunday.  —  Delgado, 24, made just two appearances in 2008, giving up a run in two innings of work.

Prospectus Q and A: Shiraz Rehman by David Laurila  —  Shiraz Rehman … David Laurila: What is your role with the Diamondbacks?  —  Shiraz Rehman: Technically, I'm the Director of Baseball Operations, so I guess that means a lot of work on arbitration, contracts and contract structuring, and some of the negotiations.

Rockies Recap: De La Rosa solid, ‘Q’ excels again  —  Rockies 9, Dodgers 5  —  At the plate: Troy Tulowitzki is finding his groove.  The shortstop raked a run-scoring single and a run-scoring double, raising his average to .241 and getting his first two RBIs.