White Sox Acquire Gillaspie, Designate Anderson  —  The White Sox announced that they acquired third baseman Conor Gillaspie from the Giants for minor league right-hander Jeff Soptic.  The White Sox designated infielder Lars Anderson for assignment to create a 40-man roster spot for Gillaspie.

Thome ready to play if he gets a call  —  Know this about Jim Thome: If he is forced into retirement, he is not going to be bitter, and he is not going to complain.  —  Thome, though, does not want to retire.  —  In fact, he is heading to Phoenix early next week to continue his training at Fischer Sports …

Minor League Transactions: Feb. 14-19  —  Official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period Feb. 14-19.  —  For more information on Article XX-B free agents, see our review of all 31 major league free agents who signed minor league contracts this offseason.

Gio Gonzalez says he passed his drug test  —  Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez passed the drug test MLB administered to him in late January, Gonzalez said today at Nationals spring training.  The MLB Players Association informed Gonzalez Friday that the tests on his blood and urine had returned negative, Gonzalez said.

Source: SHU expected to name Bobby V new AD  —  (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Photo: Frank Franklin II, ASSOCIATED PRESS  —  FAIRFIELD — Bobby Valentine is expected to be named the next athletics director at Sacred Heart University, according to a source.  —  Valentine, a Stamford native …

Dodgers' Steve Garvey is battling prostate cancer, has surgery  —  Steve Garvey, shown here in 2011, is battling prostate cancer.  (Christina House / For The Times / February 22, 2013)  —  Former Dodgers first base great Steve Garvey, a 10-time All-Star and 1974 National League MVP, is battling prostate cancer.

Mariano Rivera throws BP  —  TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera cleared another hurdle in his recovery from knee surgery Friday morning when he faced hitters for the first time since his injury.  —  Rivera threw 20 pitches in live batting practice to two hitters …

For Worley, trade was a changeup  —  WHETHER OR NOT we realize it, one of the reasons for our fascination with professional sports is that they share so many variables with the lives that we live.  —  You can wake up with a body feeling like a million bucks, a head uncluttered and free …

Santana's first start pushed back a week, lacking arm strength  —  Johan Santana's first Grapefruit League start will be pushed back to between March 10 and March 15, Sandy Alderson said today at Tradition Field.  —  According to Alderson, Santana is not in any pain, he has no structural damage …

Now reporting for Spring Training: At Bat 13  —  Top sports mobile app launched Thursday with multiple new features  —  Now reporting for Spring Training: MLB.com At Bat 13.  —  The top sports mobile app in each of the past four years was launched on Thursday by Major League Baseball Advanced Media …

Union boss Michael Weiner: If Mets want to contend, they're going to have to spend  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — If the Mets intend to field a competitive team, the head of the players' union believes that they'll eventually have to start spending again to acquire top talent.