Bud Selig calls for tougher penalties  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced Saturday that he is making a push for stricter punishments in the joint drug testing program between MLB and the player's association.  —  Selig  —  Selig cited last season's suspension …

Was there a better way for Red Sox to spend?  —  There are different ways to construct a baseball team, and the Red Sox chose their own interesting path for 2013.  So far they have succeeded in protecting their second pick by not going after a free agent requiring compensation, instead using older …

Yankees' Ichiro in car crash, not hurt  —  TAMPA — Ichiro Suzuki avoided injury last night when his car collided with another vehicle.  —  “He is fine,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.  “His interpreter called to let us know.”  —  Ichiro was headed south in his Land Rover …

Reds give Prior another shot at big league return  —  Baker helps his former phenom join Cincinnati, sign Minor League deal  —  Mark Prior signed a Minor League deal with the Reds as he attempts to return to the Majors.  (Jon Polmar/Special to MLB.com)  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. …

Castro hamstring MRI shows ‘minor’ inflammation  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An MRI on Starlin Castro's left hamstring showed some “minor” inflammation, Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Saturday.  —  Castro hurt his hamstring running down the first base line Wednesday.

Carl Crawford (elbow) shut down  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford is experiencing nerve irritation in the area of his surgically repaired left elbow and has been shut down from throwing or hitting for at least a week, jeopardizing his chances of being ready by Opening Day.

Reliever Cassevah elects free agency  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Reliever Bobby Cassevah elected free agency on Friday.  —  Cassevah, who was out of options, cleared waivers on Thursday and had 72 hours to decide whether to accept an assignment to the Minor Leagues.

Furcal is ‘not getting better’  —  • By Rick Hummel rhummel@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8196  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Not only was Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal unable to play Saturday, which had been his target date a few days before, he has no idea when he again will test his ailing right elbow.

Yovani Gallardo dealing with groin tightness  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - Manager Ron Roenicke just told us that right-hander Yovani Gallardo has been scratched from his scheduled starting assignment Sunday due to groin tightness that resulted from his last outing.

Saturday morning notes: Mesa backs out of WBC  —  Melky Mesa has told the Yankees and Team Dominican Republic that he no longer plans to play in the World Baseball Classic.  —  I was told that the Yankees did not encourage Mesa to back out — the team actually thinks Mesa would get a chance …

Root Sports announces 2013 Rockies telecast schedule  —  Network to televise 150 games; debut new show “Rockies: Real Time”  —  ROOT SPORTS™ announced today its 2013 Colorado Rockies telecast schedule.  The network will air 150 Rockies regular season games, in addition to six spring training games.

David Wright continues to be seen as NY Mets clubhouse leader as he prepares to join Team USA for World Baseball Classic  —  After three at-bats against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, the third baseman changed out of his Mets uniform.  The next time he steps on a field, he will be in Arizona, wearing a Team USA jersey.