D-Backs want a decision on Upton or Kubel by Friday  —  The Mets, Orioles, Padres and Braves have all reportedly talked with the D-Backs about outfielders Justin Upton and/or Jason Kubel, though no team was willing to meet Arizona's initial asking price.  —  3:20 pm: The Braves …

Mike Napoli, despite avascular necrosis in hip, signs with Red Sox  —  Newly signed Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli said he never has experienced symptoms from a very serious hip condition known as avascular necrosis, which he says was diagnosed during the physical he took for the team last month.

Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain still waiting for Bombers' new third baseman Kevin Youkilis to return his welcoming phone call  —  Chamberlain had a longtime feud with Youkilis, who signed a one-year deal in December, while the infielder was on the Red Sox

Sources: O's eye Kubel, Porcello  —  The Baltimore Orioles, quiet all offseason, might finally be turning active.  —  The Orioles are pursuing a trade for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel and also are interested in Detroit Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello, according to major league sources.

Giants, Posey not rushing new deal  —  Good luck to the San Francisco Giants trying to figure out what catcher Buster Posey is worth long term.  —  It's not a stretch to imagine Posey replacing Derek Jeter as the game's standard-bearer.  Heck, the 25-year-old Posey already is more accomplished …

More on latest signings, Scott's possible return  —  From today's print edition:  —  ST. PETERSBURG - As the Rays continue the search for a DH that looks like it may bring them back to Luke Scott , they added some depth, and interest­ing storylines, Tuesday by signing several veterans …

Dodgers near TV rights deal with Time Warner Cable  —  Time Warner Cable could pay the Dodgers $7 billion to $8 billion over the 20-year deal.  It's a blow to Fox Sports, the team's current broadcaster.  —  The Dodgers' new TV deal would help cover its recent spending spree, including a six-year …

Crabtree rape allegation not holding up  —  Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross, Chronicle Columnists  —  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press  —  The hotel-room sexual assault allegations against 49ers star wide receiver Michael Crabtree do not appear to be holding up under investigation.

Cooperstown mayor shrugs off 2013 concerns  —  Jeff Katz wants everyone to know that Cooperstown will be OK.  —  The mayor of the small village in upstate New York that houses the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum says not having a living inductee this summer, for the first time since 1965 …

Te'o phone logs show hours of calls to ‘Kekua’  —  Manti Te'o and the woman whose picture was used to portray his fake girlfriend appeared in separate television interviews Wednesday to describe their roles in the hoax, while phone records give credence to Te'o's assertion that he spent hours …