PADRES: Club “very close” to contract extension with Maybin  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Cameron Maybin is poised to wear a Padres uniform for several seasons to come.  —  A front office source confirmed Saturday morning the Padres and Maybin are “very close” to finalizing a long-term contract …

Mets treating Davis as if he has Valley Fever  —  Club, first baseman awaiting test results from blood work  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets' Spring Training camp has been open — officially — for a week.  And thus far, Ike Davis has “done everything I'm supposed to do.”

Joyce, Price impressive in Rays' spring opener  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both delivered RBI singles to help lead the Twins to a 7-3 win over the Rays on Saturday at Hammond Stadium in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams.  —  Matt Joyce, named an All-Star …

Alex Rodriguez steps up to challenge Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. - On the morning of the first game they'd play since Game 5, the night the New York Yankees all went home for the winter, Alex Rodriguez stood before them and, according to witnesses, gave the sort of speech that wouldn't have been possible five years ago.

Axford, Brewers will keep talking  —  The Brewers renewed closer John Axford's contract for $525,000 on Saturday but will continue discussions about a multiyear contract extension, assistant general manager Gord Ash said.  —  Friday marked the start of a 10-day period in which teams could …

Kershaw to start LA's season and home opener  —  Last Dodgers pitcher to achieve feat was Belcher in 1989  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Clayton Kershaw will start both the season opener and the Dodgers' home opener, manager Don Mattingly confirmed on Saturday before his club took batting practice …

Pirates agree to terms with 25 for 2012 season  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates on Saturday morning announced they reached contract agreements with 25 players, bringing their entire 40-man roster into the fold.  —  The deadline to negotiate contracts and to automatically renew …

Replacing the Duncan trunks  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • This vast traveling library lived in a red, wheeled trunk that was modeled after an equipment box that was once re-engineered to have a secret compartment for stashing booze during prohibition.  —  Hiding goodies goes with the job.

SINGLE GAME TICKET ONSALE  —  3 Ways to Purchase Single Game Tickets  —  MasterCard® First Chance Presale online at Cubs.com  —  2. Friday, March 9, at 8 a.m. CST  —  In person at Wrigley Field (wristbands only — see wristbands details below)  —  3. Friday, March 9, at 10 a.m. CST

MLB expands playoff format from 8 teams to 10  —  NEW YORK, N.Y. - With less than a month to go before opening day, baseball at last decided who's in and who's out come October.  —  Now, even a third-place team can win the World Series.  —  Major League Baseball made it official Friday …