THE VOTE BASEBALL WRITERS DON'T NEED  —  One and done.  I placed an X next to Jack Morris on my Hall of Fame ballot, and I was finished voting.  If Morris is elected, I will most likely be finished voting period.  If Morris is not elected this time, I will vote for him next year in his final year of eligibility and then be done.

Opening Night to feature new AL West Texas rivalry  —  HOUSTON — The Astros will begin the 2013 season at 7 p.m. CT on March 31 against the Rangers at Minute Maid Park — two days earlier than previously scheduled — to accommodate the game being televised nationally on ESPN's Opening Night telecast.

Sources: LHP Oliver mulls retirement  —  Left-hander Darren Oliver's decision on whether to continue his career is more complicated than it might appear.  —  Oliver, 42, wants to play, but is not willing to return to the Toronto Blue Jays unless the team increases his salary from $3 million, according to major-league sources.

Mike Jacobs signed to Minor League deal  —  No big roster news yet coming out of the holidays on the Mariners, as things still seem quiet across the MLB world with most teams stepping back to evaluate things over the Christmas break.  —  But I can report today that the Mariners have signed …

Rangers add reliever Jason Frasor  —  The Texas Rangers have added sturdy veteran right-handed reliever Jason Frasor to a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million.  He earned $3.75 million with Toronto last season.  —  The deal came together on Thursday after Frasor passed a physical.

SOX SCOUTING JAVIER VAZQUEZ ON FRIDAY  —  According to an industry source, the Red Sox are slated to scout right-hander Javier Vazquez when he pitches for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday.  Vazquez is pitching against Santurce in the third game of the playoffs for Caguas …

Diamondbacks may still trade Upton  —  Want to know why Justin Upton still might get traded?  —  Consider:  —  • The Arizona Diamondbacks have a surplus of outfielders after signing Cody Ross to a three-year, $26 million free-agent contract.  —  • At least three teams …

Villarreal shelved by Tigers for rest of winter  —  Right-hander experiences elbow soreness while pitching for Venezuela  —  DETROIT — One of Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski's favorite tidbits during last month's Winter Meetings was the high regard for Brayan Villarreal.