Playing future uncertain for Berkman, Pettitte  —  HOUSTON — Whatever the future holds for two local major leaguers, the Astros are definitely not in the picture.  —  “Certainly this would have been my first choice to come back here and play for the Astros, but I think the organization wants …

Mets managerial search continues  —  Terry Collins, Clint Hurdle and Bob Melvin have emerged as leading candidates in the New York Mets' search for a manager, according to sources familiar with the process.  —  Each has previous major league managerial experience and is expected to be invited back for a second-round interview.

Red Sox obtain Miller from Marlins for Richardson  —  BOSTON (AP) -Andrew Miller has been acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Florida Marlins for Dustin Richardson in a trade of left-handed pitchers.  —  The 25-year-old Miller, taken by Detroit with the sixth overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft …

A's Claim Edwin Encarnacion  —  The A's claimed Edwin Encarnacion off of waivers from the Blue Jays, according to the teams.  The third baseman hit 21 home runs last year, more than anyone on the A's.  Encarnacion batted .244/.305/.482 and reached the 20-homer plateau for the second time in his six-year career.

Mets Fire Clubhouse Manager Amid Gambling Probe  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets fired their longtime clubhouse manager Friday amid a police investigation into illegal gambling.  —  The Mets said Charlie Samuels was fired for violating team policies.

Rangers could make offseason splash  —  FOX Sports  —  It is a new world for the Rangers, all right.  —  The defending American League champions, major-league sources say, are in strong enough financial position to add not one but two top free agents — left-hander Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez.

Jaso not taking anything for granted  —  Catcher working hard this offseason in preparation for 2011  —  ST. PETERSBURG — John Jaso goes through life to a little different beat.  —  Take his iPod for starters.  Rather than filling his ears with rap music that's so popular with most of his teammates …

Yankees' Mark Teixeira walks without limp, defends Derek Jeter's selection as a Gold Glove winner  —  Mark Teixeira Thursday night showed no ill effects from the hamstring strain that ended his season in the fifth inning of Game 4 of the AL Championship Series against the Rangers.

D-backs close to signing Geoff Blum  —  PHOENIX — The D-backs are on the verge of taking their first step towards strengthening their bench.  —  Arizona is closing in on a deal with veteran free agent Geoff Blum on a two-year contract a baseball source confirmed Thursday.

Putting a number on a theory  —  In writing previously about Ryan Zimmerman's failure to win a second consecutive Gold Glove Award for National League third baseman, I mentioned, somewhat casually, the likelihood that Adam Dunn's presence as the Nationals' first baseman had contributed to Zimmerman's increase in errors in 2010.