Rangers, Hamilton in touch, upping chances he stays with Texas  —  Josh Hamilton and the Rangers have continued to stay in touch, and while the Mariners and others are showing interest, rivals suggest they believe the chances of Hamilton staying with Texas have increased in recent days.

Shane Victorino officially introduced by Boston Red Sox  —  The Boston Red Sox on Thursday officially signed switch-hitting outfielder Shane Victorino to a three-year deal.  The deal, which runs through 2015, will pay him $39 million, according to sources.  —  He will wear No. 18 with the Red Sox.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he'll be ready for Opening Day of 2013 season  —  The 43-year-old closer suffered a torn ACL while shagging fly balls in the outfield last May, but he's ‘feeling good’ now as he progresses through rehab.  —  Mariano Rivera proclaims he will be back on the Yankee Stadium hill on 2013 Opening Day.

S. Korean pitcher Lim Chang-yong agrees to terms with Chicago Cubs  —  South Korean relief pitcher Lim Chang-yong said Thursday he has agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball (MLB).  —  Lim, 36, left for the U.S. Thursday to sign the two-year contract.

Giants To Sign Andres Torres  —  Andres Torres is heading back to San Francisco, the Giants confirmed on Twitter.  The Giants have agreed to sign the free agent outfielder to a one-year, $2MM contract, Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area reports (Twitter links).  The deal between the Giants and the ACES client is pending a physical.

Olmedo among eight players signed by Twins  —  The Twins signed eight players to Minor League contracts on Wednesday, with three of them receiving Major League invitations.  —  Outfielder Brandon Boggs, shortstop Ray Olmedo and right-hander Bryan Augenstein will compete in Spring Training for spots on Minnesota's big league roster.

Sources: 7 leaning to leave Big East  —  The presidents of the Big East's seven Catholic, non-Football Bowl Subdivision schools are expected to decide on their future in the Big East in the coming days and it “would be an upset” if they remained in the league, sources told ESPN.

Brewers not talking with Marcum  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Brewers general manager Doug Melvin just told me that he has not talked with free-agent pitcher Shaun Marcum about a possible return to Milwaukee.  —  I touched base with Melvin because Marcum said during …