Giants confident Sandoval will drop weight  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Concerns about third baseman Pablo Sandoval's weight have become a rite of spring.  —  Sandoval's waistline is again an issue.  “I don't think that question will go away, to be quite honest,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday.

Bourn takes a while to find new team  —  GOODYEAR, ARIZ.  —  “Interesting winter,” I said to Michael Bourn.  —  “You have no clue!”  Bourn replied, eyes wide, laughing.  —  Bourn had just entered the Cleveland Indians clubhouse for the first time.  He had no nameplate above his locker.

Crane addresses Astros before first workout  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros owner Jim Crane addressed the club prior to the first full-squad workout on Saturday, along with general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter.  —  “I gave them a little bit of my background,” Crane said.

Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez still complaining about Boston  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Thousands of miles to the west, in the middle of the desert, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez still haunt the Red Sox.  —  Crawford and A-Gon are still crying about the blue meanies of Boston.

Posada to serve as guest instructor this spring  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Jorge Posada is listed among the guest instructors expected in Yankees camp this spring, but manager Joe Girardi said he doesn't know when to expect the five-time World Series winner.  —  “I'm not sure exactly when he's coming,” Girardi said.

Bailey, Reds agree to $5.35M, 1-year contract  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Right-hander Homer Bailey and the Cincinnati Reds agreed Saturday to a $5.35 million, one-year contract, ensuring baseball will set a record low for salary arbitration hearings.  —  No cases have been argued …

Vizquel longs to play, but embraces new role  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Somewhere in the 45-year-old mind of potential future Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel, there's the thought that he can still play in the Majors and at a high level.  —  At some point, though, all players have to deal with finality — ageless Vizquel included.

Start of something big: Chapman's transition begins  —  Reds stay mum on details of left-hander's move from bullpen to rotation  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The bold decision by the Reds to have pitcher Aroldis Chapman shift from closer to the rotation this spring has been one of the most talked about scenarios in baseball all winter.

Soler impressive in first spring appearance  —  MESA, Ariz. — Jorge Soler reported to Cubs camp Friday and hit a home run in his first batting practice session.  That's not really news, but watching the 6-foot-4 Cuban outfielder swing is definitely an event.

Soriano arrives at Nationals' camp  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals closer Rafael Soriano arrived in camp on Saturday morning and was greeted in the clubhouse by teammate Gio Gonzalez and general manager Mike Rizzo.  Soriano would later get reacquainted with left-hander Will Ohman.

Rays announce '13 promotional schedule  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays announced the promotional schedule for the 2013 regular season that will again include unique giveaway items like a David Price Cy Young Figurine to the first 20,000 fans on April 6, a Joe Maddon Gnome presented on April 24 …

Rays' one-eyed reliever Sandoval keeps focus forward  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Veteran pitcher Joel Peralta already had taken an unusual step when he called Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman directly this winter to recommend the team sign a 30-something reliever who had been impressive in the Dominican Republic.