Phillies, Durbin Agree to 1-Year Deal  —  The Phillies are bringing back a familiar face to fortify their bullpen.  —  Sources told MLB.com today the Phillies and right-hander Chad Durbin have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, pending a physical.  The deal includes a club option for 2014.

Michael Kay signs multi-year contract extension with YES Network  —  Michael Kay, whose voice has been synonymous with the YES Network since its launch in 2002, has signed a multi-year extension with the network to remain its lead New York Yankees play-by-play voice.

Kelly Johnson, Rays reach agreement  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have reached agreement with free-agent second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract, according to major league sources.  —  The move will enable the Rays to use Ben Zobrist in right field as well at second base …

MLB Notebook: Aramis impresses with XBH  —  On the final day of the 1921 regular season, Yankees outfielder Babe Ruth went 2-for-4 and hit his 59th home run to help New York to a 7-6 victory against the Red Sox.  With the homer, Ruth completed the year with 119 extra-base hits in 693 plate appearances.

The latest on Michael Bourn, Mets and Draft Picks  —  The Mets are said to have legit interest in signing free-agent OF Michael Bourn to a long-term deal that would likely be backloaded.  —  To keep from losing their first-round draft pick as compensation for signing Bourn, Sandy Alderson wants MLB to rule that his pick is protected.

A's confident they can do it again  —  Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle  —  Last year, the Angels made the big offseason splash by signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson - but the A's were the surprise winners of the AL West.  —  This year, the Angels again were the big-news team …

Free Agent Rumors: Brewers, Lowe, Athletics  —  The all-unemployed team would feature Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Joe Saunders, Brian Wilson and others, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark points out (all Twitter links).  The free agent market also includes many designated hitter candidates, which is usual for this time of year.

Montero ready to build on experience of rookie year  —  SEATTLE — For all the talk about new additions and increased veteran leadership, the biggest improvement for the 2013 Mariners might well lie with the progress of their returning youngsters.  —  And tops on that list figures to be Jesus Montero …

Infield a formidable strength for Mets  —  This is the first installment of a four-part Around the Horn series, taking a segment-by-segment look at the Mets' roster heading into Spring Training.  Up first: Infield.  —  NEW YORK — The 2012 Mets were flawed in many ways.

Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer voice displeasure over change to fake pickoff move  —  DETROIT — For a pitcher like Rick Porcello, a new rule change that will no longer allow pitchers to fake a pickoff to third base and throw to first isn't a big deal.  —  For Max Scherzer, it's huge.

Brewers Interested In Lyle Overbay  —  The Brewers are talking to free agent first baseman Lyle Overbay about a minor league deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links).  Overbay, who played for Milwaukee from 2004-05, is talking to other clubs and expected to reach a decision shortly.

Introduction of Taft headlines busy NatsFest  —  William Howard Taft joined Teddy, Tom, George and Abe in the Presidents Race lineup slated for the 2013 season.  (AP)  —  WASHINGTON — Only in Washington could politics and baseball intertwine so effortlessly.