Starlin Castro's agent denies arrest report in club shooting  —  Starlin Castro's agent refuted reports that the Cubs' shortstop was arrested in a nightclub shooting in the Dominican Republic, saying he voluntarily went to the police to be questioned.  —  According to a report …

Despite losses, Orioles still perched on top in AL East  —  As January nears, has any AL East team separated itself from the pack?  —  Improvement?  Certainly.  The Red Sox, Blue Jays, and possibly the Rays (through injured players returning) have improved.

Blue Jays await Takashi Toritani decision  —  Japanese media reporting the shortstop is mulling offers from the Jays and San Diego Padres, but decision not expected until new year.  —  Takashi Toritani is considering a jump to the majors at 33 after a lengthy career with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League.

Tyler Collins seems a front-runner to make Tigers roster  —  At the outset of the off-season, the Tigers talked about what they wanted to do.  —  Get a centerfielder.  Some bullpen help.  Add a lefty hitter.  —  They've done some of that via trades.  They picked up an option to help the bullpen.

Source: Phils, Wandy Rodriguez agree to minor-league deal  —  It appears that Ruben Amaro Jr. is making a move to shore up the back of the rotation.  —  A source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com Saturday that left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Phillies, pending a physical.

Cardinals have a legion of lefties  —  It was fashionable and correct, to a large degree, to find fault with the Cardinals' offense last year when they hit just .254 with men in scoring position, compared to the remarkable .330 of the season before, and when they batted just .253 overall.

Mets, Marlins are mirror images, but which can match Nationals?  —  You know what is hard to find as teams configure for 2015?  Clubs in a rebuilding posture.  —  The Rockies, for example, are talking about holding onto Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez because historically …

Former equipment manager had been with organization since 1971  —  In his final years with the Rangers, Joe Macko served as an ambassador and representative to the community.  —  ARLINGTON — Joe Macko, who had been associated with the Rangers since their arrival from Washington, D.C. …

Celtics Notebook: Pierce: Rondo trade no shock  —  Says ex-team going younger  —  Photo by:  —  UNHAPPY CHAT: Jared Sullinger pleads his case to referee James Capers in the second half of last night's Celtics loss in Washington.  —  By:  —  WASHINGTON — Playing against the Celtics still means something to Paul Pierce.

Bucs manager also wants players to be more aggressive on basepaths  —  Clint Hurdle discusses the Pirates' goals for 2015 and the roles Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Cervelli will have on the team next season  —  SAN DIEGO — “Turning the page” apparently is a difficult baseball task.

Hiroki Kuroda Signs With Hiroshima Carp  —  Veteran righty Hiroki Kuroda is returning to the place where he made his name: the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.  —  Soon to turn 40 years of age, Kuroda remains every bit as sturdy and effective as ever.