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 …

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 …

NY Mets third baseman David Wright learns he has muscle tear, still expected to be ready for Opening Day  —  MRI reveals tear of muscle on left side of rib cage  —  David Wright is optimistic he'll be ready to face the Braves at Citi Field on April 5.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE …

Tampa Bay Rays' Hellickson shrugs off theory he was more lucky than good  —  Jeremy Hellickson says he knows he'll have to make some adjustments to hitters to continue his success in the majors.  —  Times]  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Lucky would be winning the lottery.

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 …

NY Mets pitching prospect Matt Harvey impresses again in outing Wednesday  —  Righthander's blazing fastball on display against minor leaguers as team brass watches  —  NY Mets' fireballing prospect Matt Harvey reaches as high as 96 mph on radar gun Wednesday.

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 …

Young guns impress on the hill for D-backs  —  Left-hander Corbin, top pick Bauer throw five scoreless innings  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The D-backs got a glimpse of their future Wednesday afternoon, and they liked what they saw.  —  Two of the club's top pitching prospects saw action …

Kershaw dominant as Ellis, Kennedy go deep  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — By the time Clayton Kershaw took the mound Wednesday, the reigning Cy Young Award winner already had a three-run lead, and that was plenty.  —  The Dodgers ace posted zeroes and his offense kept bashing in a 9-1 Los Angeles victory …

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 …

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 …