Mets upset Beltran went ahead with knee surgery … NEW YORK (AP) — 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 …

Valverde, Tigers agree to terms  —  Deal is for two years, stabilizes back end of bullpen  —  DETROIT — The Tigers are poised to sign the veteran closer they hoped to add.  They agreed to terms Thursday with Jose Valverde on a two-year contract with an option for a third …

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 …

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

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.

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 …

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.

Dotel remains close, but ‘not yet’  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates and free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel remain close to a deal, as reported Wednesday in the Post-Gazette, but one source just texted me when I asked if an agreement had been reached: “Not yet.”

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 …

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.

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.

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 …