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 …

Tigers SS Jose Iglesias makes progress toward return  —  Jose Iglesias has one hurdle left to clear.  —  And it's the same hurdle the Tigers' shortstop couldn't clear last season, a season that was lost to stress fractures in each of his lower legs.  —  Iglesias has progressed positively …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Mind over matter: Bauer goes high-tech in offseason regimen  —  7/13/14: Trevor Bauer pitches 6 2/3 shutout innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters while allowing eight hits and three walks  —  CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer craves information.  He enjoys diving head first into data …

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. …

Last Slide  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota's Pohlad family has acquired majority ownership of Polaroid in a $70 million deal.  —  Minnetonka-based Polaroid is best known for making instant cameras but the name can be found on a variety of electronic goods, including tablets, cameras and flat-screen TVs.

Random Orioles notes  —  The Orioles have been viewed as the favorites to host the 2016 All-Star Game, but I'm told that it's not going to happen.  —  The club hasn't been officially notified, but a source says it won't be played at Camden Yards.  —  The Orioles last hosted the All-Star Game in 1993 …