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.

Heyward, Medlen get big raises; Prado headed to arb hearing?  —  Sponsored Links  —  While Braves right fielder Jason Heyward and pitcher Kris Medlen drew even bigger raises than some expected in their first year of arbitration, Martin Prado and the team couldn't agree to terms and appear …

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.

Minor League Transactions: Jan. 8-14  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 8-14.  —  Baltimore Orioles  —  Signed: RHP Stu Pomeranz (non-tendered and re-signed), C Chase Weems (re-signed), 1B Steve Pearce (re-signed after outright assignment), 2B Travis Adair (re-signed)

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.

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 …

Nats reach deals with five, with one case remaining  —  Stammen gets two years while rest re-up with Washington on one-year pacts  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals were busy Friday, signing Ross Detwiler, Ian Desmond, Roger Bernadina and Tyler Clippard to one-year deals, while inking Craig Stammen to a two-year, $2.25 million contract.

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 …

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.

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.

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.