ST. LOUIS  • All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran finalized a two-year deal with the Cardinals on Thursday evening, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to the Post-Dispatch.  —  The switch-hitting outfielder brings some desired depth to the Cardinals outfield while also restoring …

Derek Jeter out with calf injury  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has an injured left calf that will keep him out of spring training until at least next week.  —  Jeter, who will turn 38 in June, missed nearly a month last season in his pursuit of 3,000 hits with an injury to his right calf.

Pitching hard to gauge based just on spring training  —  TAMPA — Let's go back exactly a year so we can appreciate just what an inexact science it is to predict baseball, in general, and what a rotation will do, in particular.  —  We just knew in the aftermath of Cliff Lee's spurning …

Phillies release Willis  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies have released Dontrelle Willis, the enigmatic lefthander who was attempting to revive his career as a reliever.  —  He was plagued by ineffectiveness and arm soreness during the first four weeks of camp.

Salvador Perez out 3-4 months after knee surgery; Royals interested in Ivan Rodriguez?  —  So much for Salvador Perez only missing a few weeks.  —  Perez underwent his scheduled knee surgery today and the Royals announced afterward that he's expected to be out for 12-14 weeks, which would mean a mid-June return at the earliest.

Jays lose Romero in win over Rays  —  Ricky Romero pitched four hitless innings before leaving with a tight left groin, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa bay Rays 5-0 Friday.  —  Jeff Niemann, in the three-way scramble for one of the last two spots in Tampa Bay's rotation, gave up four runs in 3 1-3 innings.

Red Sox Agree To $800,000 Deal With Dominican Righty Simon Mercedes  —  The Red Sox have agreed to a deal with Dominican righthander Simon Mercedes, which according to an international source is for an $800,000 bonus.  —  However, that deal is still pending several hurdles …

Marte sets tone as Correia remains scoreless  —  Outfielder leads off with HR; righty allows a double in four frames  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Kevin Correia extended his scoreless spring to nine innings and Starling Marte's homer started the scoring against Cliff Lee as the Pirates downed the Phillies …

Banuelos among first cuts  —  Its minor news on such a busy day, but the Yankees made their first round of cuts today.  —  LHP Manny Banuelos  —  RHP Dan Burawa  —  RHP Adam Miller  —  RHP Brett Marshall  —  RHP Ryan Pope  —  RHP Graham Stoneburner  —  RHP Chase Whitley  —  2B Corban Joseph

Nick Leyva: Positioning the Pirates Infield  —  Nick Leyva is heading into his 36th season of professional baseball, but when it comes to positioning an infield, he isn't as old-school as you might think.  The Pirates' third base coach still uses his instincts and experience …

Nats' Wang leaves game with strained hammy  —  VIERA, Fla. — Washington Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang left Thursday's start in the third inning with a strained left hamstring after colliding with Russell Martin of the New York Yankees.  —  Wang fielded a slow roller by Martin and tried to make the play at first base.