Theo Epstein: Daisuke Matsuzaka's back strain is not serious  —  Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told a group of reporters on Wednesday morning in Fort Myers, Fla. that Daisuke Matsuzaka has what the team believes to be a mild back strain but that it would not prevent the pitcher from having a normal spring training.

Sources: Mets make push for Barajas  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  —  The Mets are making “a hard push” for free-agent catcher Rod Barajas and negotiating with him on a one-year deal, according to major-league sources.

Catcher Joe Mauer will test staying power with Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The sun is a rumor at 5:30 in the morning.  The temperature is a bone-chilling 5 degrees, with a wind chill south of zero.  Lungs sting just trying to catch a breath.  —  And a line of humanity, bundled from head to toe …

Sources: White Sox still in Damon hunt  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on MLB on FOX.  —  Johnny Damon to the White Sox?  The idea certainly is not dead.  The question is how alive it might be.

Jurrjens relieved after receiving MRI results  —  Count Jair Jurrjens among the many members of the Braves family who gained a sense of relief on Wednesday morning, when MRI results showed that he isn't dealing with any structural damage in his right shoulder.

The Mother of All Interviews: NoMaas v. Brian Cashman  —  Turn your speakers up. … SJK: Since you were given full authority over baseball decisions after the 2005 season, how do you believe the organization has changed — whether it be fiscally, philosophically, or in methodology?

Brian Bruney loses arbitration case with Washington Nationals  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brian Bruney received a disappointing birthday present, losing to the Washington Nationals in salary arbitration.  —  The reliever was awarded $1.5 million Wednesday instead of his request for $1.85 million.

Girardi: “The expectation here is the same every year”  —  Just got back from the Joe Girardi press conference.  As expected, the bulk of the conversation was about attempting to repeat as World Series champions.  —  “The expectation here is the same every year,” Girardi said.

David Wright says he expects NY Mets to win NL East, go deep in playoffs … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — David Wright doesn't share the low expectations some fans have for the Mets this year.  The third baseman said Wednesday he expects the Mets to win the National League East and make a run in the playoffs …

Royals report to Arizona with revamped roster … Anthony Lerew, also out of options, showed some potential in three September starts.  Rule 5 pick Edgar Osuna must make the club or be offered back to Atlanta.  He's a lefty, which is a plus in an otherwise righty mix, but could also claim a spot in the bullpen.

Fire all the third-base coaches!  —  Stop signs are fine at intersections, but they're not worth much at the hot corner  —  Editor's note: Hot Stove U. is a six-week course devoted to higher learning, a series consisting of 30 need-to-know topics for 2010.  —  The setup

Free Player Injury Database  —  When I started working on Rotobase I knew I wanted to generate notes like the following: … However all the databases out there are either proprietary, or don't allow for easy access to the underlying data for analysis.  So, I started developing my own database, starting with 2009.

LOWELL BRACES HIMSELF FOR AN UNCERTAIN SPRING  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Mike Lowell isn't blind to what awaits.  —  He knows that his current lot in life promises to be one of spring training's most talked-about issues.  The third baseman also realizes why such interest might run rampant …

Former Major League pitcher Jim Bibby dies at 65  —  Jim Bibby, a longtime Madison Heights resident and former Major League Baseball player, died Tuesday night at Lynchburg General Hospital.  He was 65.  —  Bibby died around 9 p.m., said Jimmy Wright, a close family friend.

Inbox: Where should Padres hit Eckstein?  —  Beat reporter Corey Brock answers fans' questions  —  Will David Eckstein be slotted in the No. 2 hole in the lineup or would he be better suited at the end of the lineup so that we can have more speed at the top of the lineup?

Jerry Manuel Vows to Make Mets Spring Training About Actual Training  —  ​Looking for bright spots as the Mets pitchers and catchers report?  Here's one: Jerry Manuel has vowed to put his team through a starter course in fielding fundamentals.  If you doubt they need it, consider some of these facts: