Marrero improving on defensive side  —  VIERA, Fla. — Before this spring, Chris Marrero had a reputation of being an above-average hitter, but had problems on defense.  During his Minor League career, Marrero had made 54 errors in 3,124 chances.  —  This spring has been a different story when it comes to Marrero's defense.

Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos gets chance to impress against Red Sox  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Good afternoon from spring training, where the life of 20-year-old prospect Manny Banuelos is about to get really interesting, even though he might not yet know it.  —  Banuelos, the left-hander …

King Felix to Yanks works for everyone  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  If I'm Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, I'm calling my Yankees counterpart, Brian Cashman, and saying, “Sure, I'll talk about Felix Hernandez.”  —  Then I'm rattling off names:  — Jesus Montero …

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon encouraging hair growth  —  FASHION STATEMENT: A Tommy Bahama collector's edition shirt is one of eight featuring big-league teams.  —  CLEARWATER — Things are about to get hairy with the Rays.  —  As he does in staging a long-drive contest before practice …

Amaro: No payroll space, rumors of trades “B.S.”  —  I don't have any empirical evidence to support the following statement, but it seems like every time Ruben Amaro Jr. makes a statement claiming the Phillies are limited in their ability to take on payroll, it is shortly followed by a transaction in which the club does just that.

A's Closer Andrew Bailey Leaves With Sore Elbow  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey has left a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians with elbow discomfort.  —  Bailey, shut down at the end of last season with an elbow injury, faced three batters Monday.

Johan Santana, New York Mets dispute report that team is ready to shut down ace's rehab schedule  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The weekend was a frenzied one for Johan Santana.  On Saturday, the injured ace joined Twitter and quickly collected nearly 5,000 followers, then hosted a nighttime fund-raising event for his foundation.

Investigating the “Best Shape” Phenomenon  —  Believe it or not, most of our writers didn't enter the world sporting an @baseballprospectus.com address; with a few exceptions, they started out somewhere else.  In an effort to up your reading pleasure while tipping our caps …

Moreland staving off threats to first-base gig  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Spring Training statistics can easily deceive.  That said, four of the Rangers' hottest hitters to this point in camp can all play first base at the Major League level.  —  Going into Monday's game against the Dodgers …

Astros' Bill Hall calls Phillies' Hamels ‘a marked man’ after altercation  —  2,954  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Things got tense in the second inning Monday as Bill Hall engaged in a shouting match with Cole Hamels after being pitched inside.  The close shave followed Hall's stepping out of the box …

Some breaking news here as the Mariners announced that pitcher Nate Robertson will undergo elbow surgery on Wednesday and will be unable to throw for four weeks after that.  In other words, scratch Robertson from contention for the fifth starter's job.  —  The surgery will be performed …

Mariners report $1.7 million profit from 2010  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Despite struggling on the field in 2010, the Mariners turned a $1.7 million profit during the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, according to the club's annual report to the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.

Suspension Helped Former Diamondback Net $1.1 Million From Yankees  —  In Latin America, unsigned 20-year-olds rarely sign for more than a few thousand dollars, if teams are even willing to sign them at all.  —  Juan Carlos Paniagua, who signed with the Yankees on Thursday for $1.1 million …