Hill rehab continues with bullpen session  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — One of the most encouraging signs for Red Sox fans today was watching lefty specialist Rich Hill throw a bullpen session for the second time since his Tommy John surgery.  —  Hill blew out his elbow on June 1 last season and had Tommy John surgery on June 9.

Gordon gets an early gift from Royals  —  Receives $4.775 million pact on eve of 28th birthday  —  KANSAS CITY — Now Alex Gordon has something extra to celebrate Friday on his 28th birthday, a $4.775 million contract with the Royals for 2012.  —  “It was a great birthday present,” he said.

Wainwright wows with his best stuff  —  Image  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • It was only 30 pitches in February before a collection of 20 players and staff on Field 2 behind Roger Dean Stadium.  But it was also Adam Wainwright throwing effortlessly and with command — momentous stuff just two weeks …

Figgins could return to form at leadoff  —  When Eric Wedge said the idea of removing Ichiro from the leadoff spot has “as much to do with his teammates as it has to do with him,” the Seattle Mariners manager might as well have screamed Chone Figgins' name.  —  Wedge has yet to commit …

Focus on Sport/Getty Images  —  An Open Letter to the Hall of Fame About Dwight Evans  —  The godfather of baseball statistics makes his case for why the Red Sox legend belongs in Cooperstown  —  I hope you understand that I would never sacrifice my reputation by arguing that a player belongs …

Local baseball governing body bans Baltimore's scouts after controversial signing  —  The South Korean governing body of baseball has banned scouts from the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball (MLB) from attending local games, after the Orioles signed a teenage pitcher in a controversial move.

11 bidders remain in running to buy Dodgers  —  The list includes the team of Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten, former owner Peter O'Malley, Rams owner Stan Kroenke and the pairing of Rick Caruso and Joe Torre.  —  Rams owner Stan Kroenke, a bidder for the Dodgers, addresses the media during …

Law: Top 100 MLB prospects of 2012 (1-25)  —  Mike Trout and Bryce Harper come out on top for the second straight year

Alderson: ‘Big Fundraiser Tonight for Gas Money’  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Even Mets general manager Sandy Alderson can't resist pointing out the team's financial difficulties.  —  The team tweeted Thursday afternoon that Alderson had started a Twitter account (at)MetsGM.

Victorino to appear on ‘Hawaii Five-O’  —  PHILADELPHIA — Shane Victorino likes to chat a lot in the clubhouse, and later this month, he should have even more to talk about, as he is appearing on the Feb. 20 episode of “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS.  —  According to CBS, Victorino appears as a business executive on a company retreat.

Minor Leaguers Moviel, Doyle suspended  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it has suspended Minor League pitcher Scott Moviel and catcher Dock Doyle 50 games each for second violations of the league's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.  The suspensions will begin at the start of this season.