Cohen has strongest Dodger bid, plans to hire Tony La Russa  —  PHOENIX - Hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen emerged Wednesday as the strongest bidder to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers, and plans to hire Tony La Russa to a key front-office position, according to two Major League Baseball officials familiar …

Progress stalls on Cain's contract talks  —  The chances of the San Francisco Giants signing right-hander Matt Cain to a contract extension before Opening Day are rapidly diminishing.  —  Cain's representatives spoke Wednesday with Giants officials, and the two sides failed to make progress toward a deal …

Mets' Wright has muscle tear in rib cage  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. (AP)  —  David Wright's left rib cage injury has been diagnosed as a muscle tear, but the New York Mets third baseman said he'll be ready by opening day.  —  Wright returned to camp Wednesday after receiving a cortisone shot Monday in New York.

MLB players, staff eager for new iPad release  —  PHOENIX - Opening Day is regarded as a holiday of sorts in baseball.  But for many major league players and personnel, Friday's release of the new iPad is cause for celebration.  —  The tablet has ingrained itself into the fabric of the game …

Santana day to day with right shoulder bruise  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Angels right-hander Ervin Santana was struck in the upper right arm with a line drive off the bat of Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox and left Wednesday's game in the second inning.  —  Santana took the liner off the arm …

Mike Rizzo: Nationals not shopping John Lannan  —  With seven starting pitchers to fill five spots, the Nationals are the rare team with a glut of capable starting pitchers, one of baseball's most valuable commodities.  The rest of the league has taken notice.

Garcia taken for X-rays for right hand bruise  —  Righty departs in fourth inning after Encarnacion comebacker  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Yankees right-hander Freddy Garcia exited in the fourth inning of Wednesday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays with a right hand bruise.

Wells throws three scoreless innings in loss  —  MESA, Ariz. — George Kottaras hit a three-run double in the fourth and a two-run double in the fifth to lift the Brewers to a 10-2 victory on Wednesday over the Cubs in front of 11,682 at HoHoKam Park — the Cubs' highest attendance of the season.

Barmes, Presley drive in four for Pirates  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates put together a three-run fifth inning and two four-run frames on their way to topping the Baltimore Orioles, 11-5, on Wednesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium.  —  Pirates right-hander James McDonald allowed …

A quick look at the infield trade market. . .  According to CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies are exploring the trade market for infielders.  The news makes sense, because the infield play here at camp has been a whole lot of ugly.  The Phillies knew they were parting with their most reliable defender …

Bobby Valentine wastes no time stirring up Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, with Lou Piniella and Paul O'Neill adding to sideshow in booth  —  First Yankees-Red Sox meeting not short on entertainment, and it only figures to get better  —  Bobby Valentine seems to be enjoying himself …

Phillies' Halladay Pounded by Twins in 6-4 Loss  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Roy Halladay was yanked in the third inning after getting rocked in the Minnesota Twins' 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.  —  Halladay allowed five runs and seven hits, including two homers, in 2 2-3 innings.

Prince Fielder Homers, Has Three Hits for Tigers  —  LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Prince Fielder homered and had three hits and the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Mets 7-6 in 10 innings on Wednesday.  —  Fielder's two-run homer came off Mets starter Dillon Gee in the fourth inning.