Jason Varitek to announce retirement from baseball on Thursday  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jason Varitek, a two-time World Series champion and the captain of the Red Sox from 2005-11, will announce his retirement here on Thursday, sources told the Globe today.  —  Varitek is expected to stay with the organization in some capacity.

Mattingly: Dodgers are Yanks of LA, not Angels  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, who spent his entire 14-year career as a major league player with the New York Yankees, said Tuesday that despite the major offseason moves and high expectations …

Astros turn to Myers to be their closer  —  Veteran right-hander saved 21 games for Phillies in 2007  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Astros' search for a closer ended with a surprise announcement Tuesday morning.  —  Veteran right-hander Brett Myers, a starter in all but one of his 10 Major League seasons …

Tuesday morning notes: Chamberlain on a full mound  —  For the first time since last season's Tommy John surgery, Joba Chamberlain pitched off a full mound this morning.  He threw just 16 pitches, a typically light workload for a player getting on a mound for the first time.

NY Mets' David Wright is unimpressed with Jeff Wilpon's ‘Underdog’ T-Shirt motivational tactics  —  Cartoon shirt gets under third baseman's skin  —  David Wright isn't thrilled with the “Underdog” T-shirt motivational ploy from ownership.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Can even Underdog save the Mets?

Hughes chosen one in Yankees rotation battle  —  TAMPA — We can pretend there is a competition going on for the Yankees' No. 5 starter spot, but that is what it is.  Pretend.  The WWE stages more realistic battles.  —  The Yankees are saying it is Freddy Garcia vs. Phil Hughes.

Broadcaster Rankings (TV): #30 - #21  —  Beginning in late November, we've spent much of the offseason asking readers to rate the television broadcast teams (on a scale of 1-5 for charisma, analysis, and then overall) for all 30 major-league clubs — with the intention, ultimately …

Free-agent fantasy  —  Would Trout, Harper and Moore get more on the open market than Darvish?  —  Baseball Prospectus  —  If there is one thing we learned from the $111.7 million (including posting fee) that the Texas Rangers spent on Yu Darvish this winter, it's this …

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen: Don't be bleeping late for the National Anthem  —  Manager Ozzie Guillen says he doesn't have many rules for his players, but he was adamant about one: Be on time for the singing of the National Anthem.  —  “Stand up for National Anthem and don't be late,” …

Mets' Fred Wilpon says payroll cut was GM's decision  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Out to prove he is not short on cash, Fred Wilpon reached into the left pocket of his pants and pulled out a roll of bills.  A $5 bill was on the outside, wrapped around a collection of hidden denominations.

Freeman may miss two weeks with achy knee  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman might be sidelined over the next two weeks as he rests a right knee injury that he suffered during Tuesday morning's workout at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex.

Scott Sizemore out for season with torn ACL in left knee  —  Scott Sizemore injured his left knee during a fielding drill on Saturday and the Athletics just announced that he'll miss the entire 2012 season due to a torn ACL.  Jane Lee of MLB.com reports that the 27-year-old will be reevaluated in two weeks before surgery is scheduled.

Sternberg: “Pretty certain” Tampa Bay area can be viable long term  —  Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg spoke somewhat optimistically about the future of the franchise during his appearance at spring training today.  —  Sternberg said he was pleased with the work of Chuck Sykes …

Jamie Moyer's 49-year-old arm passes first test with Rockies  —  Jamie Moyer, the Rockies' 49-year-old pitcher, throws batting practice at spring training Monday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz.s  —  Jamie Moyer was pleasantly surprised when he woke up this morning.