Inside the Phillies: Manuel is no fan of baseball's latest playoff change  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - In Charlie Manuel's perfect baseball universe, the best teams in each league at the end of the regular season would meet in the World Series every year.  —  That's the way it was when the Phillies manager …

Pirates' pitcher A.J. Burnett to undergo surgery for orbital fracture … PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a fractured right orbital bone.  —  The right-hander injured himself on Wednesday at the team's spring training facilities in Bradenton …

Hal: “189 is a real number, and we're going to be shooting for it”  —  Ever since the new CBA was announced, there has been plenty written and said about the Yankees desire to get below the $189-million luxury tax threshold in two years.  This morning, Hal Steinbrenner confirmed all of those stories …

Can Dodgers' Kershaw win 300 games?  —  SURPRISE, ARIZ.  —  The 2002 Braves were the most recent team with the rarest of attributes — two eventual 300-game winners on the same pitching staff: Greg Maddux, who reached the milestone two years later, and Tom Glavine, who followed in 2007.

Mariners Sign Lefty Alexandre Roy From France  —  The Mariners have been one of the leaders in signing European prospects, and now they can add a French lefthander to their collection of international farmhands with their recent signing of Alexandre Roy, a 16-year-old from Rouen, France.

Victorino looking forward to a new deal  —  Veteran center fielder hoping for five-year contract with Phils  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Shane Victorino walked across Mike Schmidt Field on Thursday morning at Carpenter Complex, turning his head occasionally to chirp at Cole Hamels, who had just finished running on another field.

Aceves, Bard start strong for Sox  —  FORT MYERS — Quick update from Hammond Stadium, where the Red Sox [team stats] and Twins are playing a B-game:  —  Alfredo Aceves, competing for a spot in the starting rotation, allowed one run on two hits in the first inning and finished strong with a strikeout of Brian Dinkelman.

Cards sign Molina to five-year, $75M extension  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract with four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina.  —  The team announced the details Thursday.  The contract begins next year and will keep Molina in St. Louis through the 2017 season.

Cespedes expected to make arrival soon  —  PHOENIX — The wait could soon be over.  —  There's a strong possibility that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will make his highly-anticipated arrival at A's camp by weekend's end, nearly three weeks after news broke of his four-year, $36 million contract.

Rangers look to put the memory of Game 6 to rest  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington looks around the clubhouse, stares into his players' eyes, and his mind starts spinning.  —  This is the first time they've been together since that dreary plane ride home in October.

Perez's signing may help lock up Hosmer, too  —  Catcher's new long-term deal may help Royals land their superstar first baseman as well.  At least, that's the plan.  —  SURPRISE, AZ.  — You will be interested to hear one of the first things Salvador Perez did as a millionaire.

Rangers' signing of Dominican phenom Jairo Beras is investigated by MLB over age discrepancy  —  Major League Baseball will investigate the Texas Rangers' signing of Dominican prospect Jairo Beras for $4.5 million after questions about his age arose.  The Rangers believe he is 17 and eligible …

Crew, Axford to continue work on multiyear deal  —  Both sides say they'd like contract extension; talks cordial  —  PHOENIX — Brewers closer John Axford was quick to explain why he's the only member of the 40-man roster yet to sign a 2012 contract.  —  “Just like last year, I'm holding out for billions,” he joked.