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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sore subject for Escobar  —  Reliever Kelvim Escobar recently experienced shoulder soreness and will be treated gingerly as Mets pitchers and catchers officially report Thursday.  Escobar experienced the trouble last month while ramping up for spring training and was examined by team doctor David Altchek.

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 …

Sources: Cards, Padres pursuing Lopez  —  Fox Sports  —  The Cardinals and Padres are among the four teams currently pursuing free agent infielder Felipe Lopez, multiple sources told FOXSports.com.  —  Lopez played for St. Louis in 2008, and the Cardinals' interest may be linked …

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

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.

The latest on Damon  —  The Johnny Damon talks haven't just picked up, but now the White Sox front office is feeling like they may have “significantly” closed the gap between themselves and Detroit for the free agent's services.  —  That was the word from several sources on Wednesday afternoon …

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 …

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:

Excited Vazquez arrives at Yankees camp  —  Back in pinstripes, veteran concerned about only winning  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Just prior to Javier Vazquez's first season in Montreal, the Expos traded their defending National League Cy Young Award winner, Pedro Martinez, to the Red Sox …

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?