Rob Neyer Joins SB Nation, Becomes Part Of ‘Us’ Not ‘Them’  —  Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins wipes his face while speaking to the media before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals last April in Philadelphia.  Rollins is heading to the 15-day disabled list with a calf strain.

Source: New York Yankees agree to minor league deal with pitcher Freddy Garcia  —  The New York Yankees have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with pitcher Freddy Garcia, a baseball source told ESPN.com.  —  Garcia will receive a $1.5 million base salary if he makes the big league club.

Martin Luther King III says he may join investors seeking to buy 50% of Mets but isn't leading group  —  Larry Meli, a television executive, downplays the involvement of Martin Luther King III (above) in the investors group, telling the Daily News: 'In his mind, he's not even the lead guy.'

Phillies ace Halladay picks up another award, focuses on healthy season  —  EVEN IF THE Phillies training staff had to reinforce his groin with duct tape, Roy Halladay was going to pitch in the World Series.  This city learned enough about the 2010 NL Cy Young winner during his first season …

Day's fastball dominated ‘black baseball’  —  Seven-time Negro League All-Star ranks No. 5 among pitchers … World War II had ended, and Leon Day was ready to trade his Army khakis for a flannel uniform of the Newark Eagles.  On Opening Day of the 1946 season, he duplicated a feat Bob Feller …

Royals hire Willie Aikens  —  Three years after leaving federal prison and 26 years after his playing days in the major leagues ended, Willie Mays Aikens is back in baseball as an employee of the team with which he achieved his greatest glory in the sport.  —  The Kansas City Royals hired …

Alfredo Simon denied bail  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon was denied bail Tuesday and will remain in jail on an involuntary manslaughter charge.  —  Simon  —  The 29-year-old pitcher is expected to stay in jail for a year while officials investigate …

Want to See a 100-Year-Old Death Threat Mailed to a Pitcher?  —  During his 11-season career, Red Sox pitcher Smoky Joe Wood-who was somehow left off our list of awesome baseball porn names-managed a 117-57 record, a 2.03 ERA, 121 complete games and 28 shutouts.

Sox just want Beckett to be Beckett  —  During each of his offseason communications with Josh Beckett [stats], Red Sox [team stats] manager Terry Francona has tried to impart a simple message to explain what he expects from the right-hander this season:  —  Be yourself.

Rays Sign Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez  —  The Rays have officially signed Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, the team announced.  Damon's deal is worth $5.25MM plus a potential $750K in bonus money based on attendance and Ramirez's deal is worth $2MM.  Both players are represented by Scott Boras.

Twins prospect follows reluctant dad's path  —  Youth Academy alum Hicks left golf for baseball after revelation  —  Joseph Hicks, father of highly regarded Twins prospect Aaron Hicks, will openly admit it now.  —  “I was mad at the game,” he said.  —  Hicks was angry because he believed the …

Mets owners' attorneys accuse trustee of ‘leaks,’ ‘attempted character assassination’ in motion  —  The owners of the New York Mets are victims of “significant leaks” and “attempted character assassination” by Irving Picard, the trustee suing the Mets owners to retrieve money they might …