Yanks add catcher Stewart, option Cervelli  —  The Yankees completed a trade on Wednesday that held ramifications for their Opening Day roster, sending right-hander George Kontos to the Giants for veteran catcher Chris Stewart.  New York also optioned catcher Francisco Cervelli …

Valentine names Aceves the closer  —  DETROIT — A few bits of news from Bobby Valentine's press conference just now:  —  • Alfredo Aceves is the closer.  —  “On the days when Alfredo's not available, if Mark Melancon is available, he'll be doing it.  I think the guys leading up to that will be very credible,” Valentine said.

Donaldson's 2 HRs Power A's Past Giants 8-1  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Josh Donaldson started to show signs in the final exhibition that he might be a reliable replacement to Scott Sizemore, after all.  —  Donaldson hit two homers and drove in five runs off Yusmeiro Petit …

Mets sign Jon Niese to five-year, $25.5 million contract  —  Jon Niese's long-term contract with the Mets is now official, with Andy McCullough of the Newark Star Ledger reporting that the five-year deal is worth $25.5 million in guaranteed money and covers all three arbitration eligible seasons plus his first year of free agency.

Yankees Sign Ramon Ortiz  —  The Yankees signed right-hander Ramon Ortiz, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.  It's a minor league deal, Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger tweets.  The Giants recently released the 39-year-old Praver/Shapiro client.  —  Ortiz appeared in 22 games for the Cubs last year …

2012 Organizational Rankings: #9 - Toronto  —  Read the methodology behind the ratings here.  Remember that the grading scale is 20-80, with 50 representing league average.  —  #20 - New York Mets  —  #19 - Los Angeles Dodgers  —  #18 - Colorado  —  #17 — Miami  —  #16 — Diamondbacks

SPORTS BASEBALL  —  Joel Carreno will replace Brett Cecil in the Jays' starting rotation to start the season.  (GETTY IMAGES)  —  OK, raise your right arm if you had Joel Carreno as third man out of the chute in the Blue Jays starting rotation to open the 2012 season?

Tufano family to sue Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Bush, Brandon Guyer for $5 million apiece  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — The family of the victim in a hit-and-run case that resulted in DUI charges against Rays minor-league pitcher Matt Bush began the process of filing a civil suit in Charlotte County against Bush and outfielder Brandon Guyer.

Brian Matusz Chosen as Orioles' 4th Starter  —  NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Brian Matusz pitched his way into Baltimore's rotation this spring and made his final pitch with a strong outing in an exhibition against the Orioles' top farm team in Norfolk on Wednesday afternoon.

Cain sharp in last exhibition start  —  OAKLAND — The Giants sealed an exhibition series victory over the cross-Bay rival A's on Tuesday with their second straight win against the green and gold, a 3-2 decision at the Oakland Coliseum.  —  Baseball's richest right-hander, Matt Cain …

Asdrubal signs two-year extension with Tribe  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians believe they have entered a period of contention that can be sustained at least over the next few seasons.  Cleveland wanted to make sure that shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera continued to provide an anchor to its offensive core.

Tigers' Verlander Sets Expectations Ever Higher  —  Justin Verlander will be back on the mound at Comerica Park on Thursday, back on the perch from which he reigned in 2011.  His Detroit Tigers host the Boston Red Sox in an afternoon opener with a prime-time aura.

Nationals will option John Lannan, Ross Detwiler likely the Nationals fifth starter  —  The Nationals plan to option John Lannan to Class AAA Syracuse, a person with ties to the organization said, which presumably makes Ross Detwiler the Nationals' No. 5 starter entering this season.