Dr. Bryan Kelly tells Yankees that Alex Rodriguez has less cartilage damage in hip than expected, source says  —  Nothing is guaranteed for A-Rod, who was scheduled to be released from the hospital on Thursday  —  Alex Rodriguez won't make spring training this year but is expected to return mid-July.

World Baseball Classic will have Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez, Ramon Hernandez in play  —  At the end of the 2012 season, the Rockies had nearly 10 players talking about participating in the World Baseball Classic.  In the end, the Rockies figure to lose only three to the spring tournament following …

Corey Hart to undergo knee surgery, will miss start of season  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  The Brewers' situation at first base changed Friday when they learned Corey Hart will need knee surgery that will make him miss at least the first six weeks of the 2013 season.

Red Sox, Joel Hanrahan Avoid Arbitration  —  The Red Sox and Joel Hanrahan avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $7.04MM, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned.  Hanrahan, a Reynolds Sports Management client, will earn 15K for completing 45 games, 50 games, 55 games and 60 games.

2013 ZiPS Projections - New York Mets  —  Dan Szymborski's ZiPS projections, which have typically appeared in the pages of Baseball Think Factory, are being released at FanGraphs this year.  Below are the projections for the New York Mets.  Szymborski can be found on Twitter at @DSzymborski.

Wieters, three others avoid arbitration with Orioles  —  Johnson, Hammel, O'Day unable to reach deals, exchange salary figures with club  —  The Orioles avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to one-year deals with four of their remaining arbitration-eligible players, including catcher Matt Wieters …

NY Mets rookie Travis d'Arnaud has a chance to be Opening Day starting catcher  —  Here's a snapshot of how high the Mets are on d'Arnaud: Alderson said that he tried to get two specific players from an unnamed team for Dickey, but the team balked.  —  Travis d'Arnaud will have to play …

Niemann agrees to $3-million deal, 3 more in talks  —  The Rays reached agreement with RHP Jeff Niemann on a one-year deal for $3-million, leaving them in talks with three other arbitration eligible players - OF Sam Fuld, OF Matt Joyce, INF Ryan Roberts - heading to the 1 p.m. deadline to exchange figures.

Nats avoid arbitration with Detwiler, Stammen  —  Lefty starter agrees to one-year deal; righty reliever gets two-year pact  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals and left-hander Ross Detwiler agreed to terms on a one-year, $2.3375 million contract with performance bonuses, while reliever Craig Stammen agreed …

Venable avoids arbitration with Padres  —  Outfielder to make $2.675M in '13 as San Diego crosses one contract off list  —  SAN DIEGO — It will be a busy two-day stretch for the Padres, who are hunkered down in their Petco Park offices, trying to come to terms with their eight arbitration-eligible players.

Phillies agree with Bastardo on $1.4M contract  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed with left-hander Antonio Bastardo on a $1.4 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.  —  Bastardo was 2-5 with one save and a 4.33 ERA in 65 games last season.  He struck out 81 in 52 innings.

Gomez signs for $4.3 million  —  The Brewers and center fielder Carlos Gomez avoided arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year contract, one day before teams and their arbitration-eligible players were set to formally exchange figures.  A baseball source said Gomez would earn $4.3 million.