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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Giants in deep discussions with Brandon Lyon  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants haven't shut the door on bringing back Brian Wilson, but they're in advanced negotiations with another reliever who has closing experience.  —  The club has had significant conversations with right-hander Brandon Lyon, CSN Bay Area has confirmed.

Brian Roberts had surgery for sports hernia last month  —  Orioles 2B says he's recovered and will be ‘full-go’ for spring training  —  Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts played in just 17 games last season because of post-concussion symptoms and then a hip injury.

Sandoval hospitalized with abdominal inflammation  —  Giants slugger, in Venezuela, expected to be released in day or two  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval remained hospitalized Thursday in Venezuela with abdominal inflammation but was expected to be released in 24 to 48 hours.