Bobby Valentine mocks Derek Jeter's ‘flip’ play, revels over how Jason Varitek ‘beat up’ Alex Rodriguez in 2004  —  New Red Sox manager continues to tweak the Yankees  —  Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez duke it out during 2004 game at Fenway Park.  —  It took Bobby Valentine 10 years to get back into a major league dugout.

Braun should have quit while ahead  —  Turns out, The Collector has a name.  And a reputation.  And a story.  —  The PR battle Ryan Braun lamented is raging anew.  For this, he has himself to blame.  —  I don't know if Braun knowingly used the synthetic testosterone that showed up in his October urine test.

Prospect Solis to have Tommy John surgery  —  Nationals lefty expected to be ready for spring 2013  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Sammy Solis will need Tommy John surgery, according to general manager Mike Rizzo.  —  Solis will have surgery on the elbow next Tuesday.

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Phillies awaiting word on Ryan Howard's Achilles injury  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — No news was the only news Tuesday on Ryan Howard's visit to Baltimore-based foot surgeon Mark Myerson.  —  The Phillies first baseman left camp Monday for a follow-up visit during which Myerson was also going to examine …

Miguel Tejada says he wants to return to the A's  —  Late last night, I spoke to Miguel Tejada, who won an MVP while playing shortstop for the A's in 2002, and Tejada told me his fondest desire is to return to the team that gave him his first start.  —  “I would love it,” Tejada told me by phone from Florida.

Nationals camp report: Harper decision might make all the difference  —  Harper needs to show the Nats he is well worth keeping around for the start of the season.  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals say it's all about winning now.  —  They say it in a way that makes you think they believe it.

Gutierrez suffers right pec injury  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Franklin Gutierrez is known as a Gold Glove center fielder who can catch anything hit his way on the baseball field, but the Mariners veteran can't seem to catch a break in the health department after suffering an injury to his right pectoral muscle Tuesday.

Albert Belle enjoys a laugh-filled reunion with the Cleveland Indians  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The 1995 Indians, one of the best teams never to win a World Series, were together again Tuesday morning.  —  It wasn't a full scale reunion, but it was close.  Gathered outside the back door …

Recap: Terry Collins conference call with bloggers  —  Tonight, Terry Collins held a conference call with Mets bloggers.  Collins addressed the team's spring preparation, the impact of the new dimensions at Citi Field, the futures of Matt Harvey and Pedro Beato and his expectations for 2012.

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 …

Service Time Considerations For Top Prospects  —  Timing the debuts of top prospects is essential for MLB teams.  No club wants to expose a player to top competition before he's ready, but keeping a player in the minors when he could be contributing at the big league level is hardly appealing either.

Astros move Myers to closer  —  The Astros' search for a closer ended with a surprise announcement Tuesday morning.  —  Astros manager Brad Mills told reporters veteran starting pitcher Brett Myers would be moved into the closer role, a position he held with the Phillies in 2007.