Sources: Upton rejected trade to M's  —  Justin Upton is still a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but not for a lack of effort by the D-Backs in trying to move him.  —  The Diamondbacks were in agreement on a trade that would have sent Upton to the Seattle Mariners …

Hall of Famers glad Bonds, Clemens denied  —  NEW YORK — Nobody was happier about the Hall of Fame shutout than the Hall of Famers themselves.  —  Goose Gossage, Al Kaline, Dennis Eckersley and others are in no rush to open the door to Cooperstown for anyone linked to steroids.

Jonathan Singleton banned 50 games  —  Houston Astros prospect Jonathan Singleton, a rising star in the organization and the team's first baseman of the future, has been suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season for his second violaton of minor league baseball's drug policy.

Baseball to Expand Drug-Testing Program  —  WASHINGTON — Major League Baseball and its players union have reached a deal to expand their drug program, agreeing to in-season blood-testing for human growth hormone and to a new test designed to catch players using testosterone.

Todd Helton says he will return to Rockies for likely final season  —  There was no epiphany.  Todd Helton just followed his body's lead and listened to his head.  Three months of workouts and recent batting practice told him that his surgically-repaired left hip was healed …

Oliver not expected back; trade to Texas unlikely  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers have spoken to the Blue Jays about left-handed reliever Darren Oliver, but industry sources said a trade is unlikely to happen.  —  Oliver may end up retiring rather than returning to Toronto.

Crew signs Escobar, avoids arbitration with Narveson  —  Limited since 2007, righty inks Minors deal; southpaw agrees to one-year pact  —  Kelvim Escobar has made one Majors appearance since 2007; Chris Narveson was in his first year of arbitration-eligibility.  (AP)

MLB 25 Under 25 Rankings  —  Ranking the top players in baseball below the age of 25  —  Welcome to the second edition of my rankings of the top MLB players under the age of 25.  This year's list runs to 25 players, with my comments on each player broken down into two sections …

Time to consider changing Hall of Fame voting system  —  Are the most qualified people voting?  After 80 years of doing things one way, is it time to consider another?  Those are among the questions the National Baseball Hall of Fame ought to be asking itself.

White Sox invite 20 players to Spring Training  —  The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Jeff Gray and Ramon Troncoso, left-hander David Purcey, catcher Bryan Anderson, infielders Josh Bell and Steve Tolleson and outfielder Stefan Gartrell.

Q&A: Hal Steinbrenner Talks Free Agents, Payroll, Empty Seats … Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner doesn't often talk to the media, but he stopped to take questions for several minutes on his way out of the Major League Baseball owners' meetings Thursday in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Here's what he had to say:

Hamels OK after offseason shoulder issue  —  Ruben Amaro Jr. insists that it's nothing to be concerned about, but any time someone hears that Cole Hamels experienced shoulder soreness, well, there's going to be concern.  —  That's just the way it is with pitching arms.  Especially ones critical to a team's success.

Rockies give Corpas invitation to Spring Training  —  DENVER — The Rockies have looked to an old friend to help with their new pitching plan.  —  Right-hander Manny Corpas, the closer on the 2007 Rockies club that went to the only World Series in team history, rejoined the Rockies on Wednesday …

Inbox: Morneau to be traded before Deadline?  —  Beat reporter Rhett Bollinger answers Twins fans' questions … With Justin Morneau in the final year of his contract, how likely is it the Twins deal him before the Trade Deadline?  I think we could bolster our pitching prospects and build for 2014 if we deal him this year.