‘No regrets’: Giles calls it a career  —  Balky knee stops outfielder's comeback try with Dodgers  —  Brian Giles' right knee didn't feel right, so the veteran outfielder did what felt right.  —  Giles, 39, announced his retirement Thursday morning, a month after having signed …

Ruben Tejada could be New York Mets shortstop on Opening Day in Jose Reyes' absence  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The Opening Day shortstop for the Mets?  With Jose Reyes expected to open the season on the disabled list, it very well could be Ruben Tejada.  —  The 20-year-old middle infielder hit .289 …

Mets viewed Lackey a bigger health risk than Bay  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — According to a major league source, the Mets viewed John Lackey as a bigger medical risk to sign at five years than they did committing to Jason Bay at four.  —  It should be noted that the Mets did have strong interest …

Guillen defends Latin players  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen responded on Thursday to comments Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter made to USA Today about Latin players.  —  In the article, Hunter said: “People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African-American.

Inside How the Sale of the Texas Rangers Gets Done  —  It's been nearly a year since Tom Hicks began exploring the sale of the Texas Rangers.  Hicks Sports Group, who is $525 million in debt, put the team up for sale in late March of last year.  —  When there is a debt component in play, there are creditors to contend with.

Baseball Player Jason Kendall Name Checks Two Others In Baseball Drug Scandal  —  Shocking divorce papers filed by Jason Kendall's estranged wife Chantel have placed the Kansas City Royals catcher at the center of a new baseball drugs scandal involving Adderall.

Reds' Heisey follows a different arc  —  17th-rounder has shot to stick  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. - All the other rookies in the mix to make the Reds this year come with the usual pedigree.  —  They were drafted high, received big bonuses and were fast-tracked through the system.  —  Not Chris Heisey.

UConn coach Jim Calhoun signs extension with Connecticut Huskies  —  Two-time national championship and Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun will return to Connecticut for his 25th season.  He agreed to a four-year contract extension with the school on Thursday.  —  Calhoun, who will turn 68 in May …

Helton gets two-year extension, will be Rockie for life  —  Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer.  He is in his 34th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and appears on pre- and postgame shows for Colorado Rockies games on FSN Rocky Mountain.

Eddie Guardado caught by surprise by release  —  In his 17 years of professional baseball, Eddie Guardado had never been released before this morning, when the Washington Nationals included him in their first round of cuts.  —  “They caught him totally, pretty much, by surprise,” said Kevin Kohler, Guardado's agent.

Oakland A's oft-injured Eric Chavez rediscovers his stroke  —  PHOENIX — Eric Chavez looked like his old self during the A's game against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday as he hit two home runs, including one in the first inning to right-center field that manager Bob Geren estimated to be close to 500 feet.

Retooled delivery benefits Silva  —  Cubs righty scatters four hits over three scoreless frames  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Carlos Silva was excited to pitch on Thursday, a feeling he hasn't had in a couple years.  —  The right-hander made his second spring start for the Cubs and threw three scoreless innings …