New York Mets upset Carlos Beltran didn't wait for surgery … NEW YORK — The New York Mets are upset Carlos Beltran had knee surgery this week after the team asked him to wait while management discussed options with its medical staff.  —  Assistant general manager John Ricco said the center fielder …

LaRoche, D-backs agree to one-year deal  —  Lefty-hitting slugger becomes club's everyday first baseman  —  The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to terms Thursday on a one-year deal with Adam LaRoche, a baseball source told MLB.com.  —  The signing — still pending a physical …

Atlanta Braves, Melky Cabrera avoid arbitration  —  Atlanta Braves outfielder Melky Cabrera avoided salary arbitration and accepted a one-year offer worth $3.1 million from the club.  —  Cabrera, 25, was acquired last month by the Braves from the Yankees in a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez to New York.

New Chicago Cubs hitting coach expects to exceed high expectations  —  Rudy Jaramillo believes in his ability to make players better  —  The Cubs may be the only team in history to bring their new hitting coach to town for an introductory news conference while letting their most prominent free agent signee …

MLB pitching in for devastated Haiti  —  Baseball supports relief efforts with $1 million donation  —  Major League Baseball, its clubs, its players and its fans are participating in rapid relief efforts for the devastated nation of Haiti, which remains in a state of chaos amid widespread fatalities …

Florida Marlins' Josh Johnson agrees to 4-year, $39M deal  —  Pitcher Josh Johnson reached an agreement on a four-year, guaranteed $39 million contract that will keep him with the Florida Marlins through 2013.  The pitcher confirmed the agreement to ESPN.com Thursday.  —  Johnson

Details on one-year arb contracts for Barmes, Buchholz  —  DENVER — The Rockies avoided arbitration today with two players they will be counting on heavily next season, second baseman Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz.  —  Barmes more than doubled his salary, coming in at roughly $3.4 million.

McGwire had to talk about steroids, but his story doesn't add up … The truth with Mark McGwire — and we finally did get some truth from McGwire on Monday — is that he had no choice but to come clean.  (Or at least partially clean, in his case.)  —  From the time the Cardinals decided …

Sheets healthy, ready to prove it  —  Free agent didn't pitch in 2009 but is ready to go in 2010 — he just needs a team  —  Ben Sheets believes he can be a No. 1 starter again after missing all of '09 with elbow trouble.  —  Ben Sheets answered his cell phone, but there was no time to talk.

White Sox invite 15 players to Spring Training  —  CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Greg Aquino and Daniel Cabrera, left-handed pitcher Erick Threets, infielder Freddie Bynum and outfielder Jason Botts.

Valdez designated for assignment  —  Merkin Valdez was designated for assignment, clearing room on the 40-man roster for Aubrey Huff, who signed as a free agent for one year and $3 million.  —  Valdez was 2-1 with a 5.66 ERA in 48 games last season.  He struck out 38 batters and issued 28 walks in 49 1/3 innings.

McCourt: Divorce won't affect Dodgers  —  Owner says team remains committed to winning  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers owner Frank McCourt says his pending divorce has not prevented management from improving the roster this winter and won't force a full or partial sale of the franchise.

Valverde signs with Tigers for two years  —  patience paid off Thursday when he reached an agreement on a two-year, $14 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, a source close to the negotiations told Yahoo! Sports.  —  Valverde turned down arbitration from the Houston Astros and appeared …

Dodgers' Winter Development Program Offers Valuable Lessons for Top Prospects  —  I had a chance to attend part of the Dodgers' third annual Winter Development Program this afternoon at Dodger Stadium.  In essence, this is training for the organization's top prospects in what it takes …

Former New York Yankees scout awarded $700,000 in damages by Dominican court  —  A former New York Yankees Latin American scouting director who was fired amid allegations that he had skimmed bonuses from several prospects was awarded nearly $700,000 in damages against the team by a Dominican court …