Burnett fine after being hit by foul ball  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Sean Burnett was scheduled to pitch two innings in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Astros, but he only pitched one after he was struck on the left knee by teammate Nyjer Morgan's foul ball in the first.

Marty Marion dies; shortstop was MVP with '44 Cards  —  Marty Marion, known as “Mr. Shortstop” to a generation of St. Louis Cardinals fans, died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday night, according to his nephew, Scott Marion.  —  Mr. Marion was 93 and lived in Ladue.

Alderson: Too much focus on second base  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — In just a few days' time, the gaggle of candidates the Mets have at second base could be trimmed.  —  “That's a possibility, yeah,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday after a 4-3 loss to the Twins.

2011 spring training: Terry Francona names Jon Lester Boston Red Sox opening starter  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona made it official Wednesday morning, naming Jon Lester his Opening Day starter against the Rangers on April 1 in Arlington, Texas.

In Long's mind, sky's the limit for Cano  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Robinson Cano has muscled his way into the discussion of the game's top second basemen, but his hitting coach believes there is even more to offer.  —  Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long said on Wednesday that he believes Cano could hit …

Griffey says he retired for betterment of Mariners  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Mariners on Wednesday for the first time since his retirement this past June 2.  He's back as a special consultant, and spoke about his decision to retire for the first time since then.

Details of Felix Hernandez's no-trade clause  —  File this one away for July.  —  Felix Hernandez has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract with the Seattle Mariners.  During this season, the right-hander will be able to block deals to the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox …

Doctors can't save Braves minor league manager's eye  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Surgeons could not save the left eye of Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar, who was hit in the face by a foul ball last week.  —  The former major league player had the eye removed during surgery Tuesday …

Rookie Trumbo is Angels' secret weapon  —  TEMPE, ARIZ.  —  First, I interview Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.  Then, I interview hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.  —  Both volunteer that rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo might redefine the baseball definition of “damage.”

Grant Hill's Response to Jalen Rose  —  “The Fab Five,” an ESPN film about the Michigan basketball careers of Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson from 1991 to 1993, was broadcast for the first time Sunday night.  In the show, Rose, the show's executive producer …

Bradley Ejected, Brewers Beat M's 5-4  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Milton Bradley got ejected early, and Jeremy Reed singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Mariners 5-4 Wednesday night.  —  “He said one too many things, so that was a short night for him,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Lincecum chewing up hitters, food at hefty pace  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Conventional wisdom says results don't carry much weight in Spring Training, but Giants ace Tim Lincecum is proving this spring that they really do, not just during the game but afterward.