Sources: Vlad leaves Jays' minor league club  —  Vladimir Guerrero, working his way toward the majors after signing a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, has given the team an ultimatum, sources told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com.  —  “Vlad and the Blue Jays had a sort of deadline …

Cubs fire Rudy Jaramillo … CHICAGO — The first of what could be some significant changes over the next seven weeks went down Tuesday when the Chicago Cubs fired hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.  —  Minor league hitting coordinator James Rowson, 35, was named interim hitting coach.

Dodgers sign Andre Ethier to 5-year deal through 2017  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Andre Ethier to a five-year deal through 2017 on Tuesday, keeping him and Matt Kemp together in the middle of the lineup.  —  It's the team's first major move under a new ownership group …

Beckett, Red Sox Lose to Marlins, 4-1  —  MIAMI (AP) — Facing his former team for the first time, Josh Beckett started slowly and paid dearly.  —  Four of the first eight Miami Marlins to bat scored Monday night, and that was all they needed to beat Beckett and the Boston Red Sox, 4-1.

Will slow start make Philly sellers?  —  Sell?  To hear Phillies general partner David Montgomery tell it, his team has not yet begun to fight.  —  I asked Montgomery on Monday if he would be willing to concede the season and trade veterans when the team already has sold more than 3 million tickets.

Red Sox close to deal with Taiwanese shortstop  —  MIAMI — The Red Sox are close to a deal with one of the top international free agents, 16-year-old shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin of Taiwan.  —  The $2.05 million deal is not complete according to baseball sources.

Jongewaard, ex-Mariners scouting director, dies  —  SEATTLE — Roger Jongewaard, the Mariners scouting director during the time the team drafted Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Tino Martinez and a number of other Major League players, died Monday of a heart attack at the age of 76.

Wil Myers' huge year in minors means Francoeur is an early trade candidate  —  Royals prospect Wil Myers' ascension as a super prospect has put veteran right fielder Jeff Francoeur on the trading block.  —  Many teams are holding off on making players available until July, which is typical.

Alexi Ogando placed on DL … Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin, the team announced Tuesday.  —  Left-hander Michael Kirkman has been recalled and could be a candidate to start in Ogando's place Saturday against the Houston Astros.

Hyperactivity Is No Help to Slumping Torres  —  In the dark of night, Andres Torres often finds himself awake in his apartment.  While his neighbors sleep, his mind races.  Sometimes, he picks up a bat and starts to swing through the air.  —  “I'm just so hyper,” he said.