MLB News Blog

A top baseball prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been freed on bond after the family of the man he is accused of killing asked a judge in the Dominican Republic to drop the case. Angel Villalona would have spent two months in jail while attorneys prepared the case. Prosecutor Jose Antonio Polanco told [...]

Assailants who kidnapped the mother of former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano in Venezuela only decided to take her after they found little of value during a burglary, police said Monday. Rafael Romero, a federal police investigator, said seven armed men burst into the home of Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano at her son's farm near Maracay [...]

Joe Torre's entire coaching staff will be back with the Los Angeles Dodgers next season. Third base coach Larry Bowa, first base coach Mariano Duncan, pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, hitting coach Don Mattingly, bench coach Bob Schaefer, bullpen coach Ken Howell, coach Manny Mota and instructor Jeff Pentland will return in 2010.

Instead of swaying palm trees, the roar of 747s greeted baseball's general managers as they began gathering for their annual meeting. They've come to a hotel near O'Hare International Airport to swap stories and perhaps players, and to start discussions with agents. Increasing the use video replay among umpires could be a topic when the [...]

All 27 active judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals may take the unprecedented step of rehearing the baseball drug list case, which could delay a final resolution until at least 2011 and possibly later. In a one-sentence order last Wednesday, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski asked lawyers to submit briefs by Nov.

The Tampa Bay Rays have exercised their $10 million option on All-Star Carl Crawford. The team on Monday also declined $2 million options on left-handed reliever Brian Shouse and backup catcher Gregg Zaun. The 28-year-old Crawford was the MVP of this year's All-Star game. The speedy left fielder also is the longest-tenured player in Rays [...]

The Red Sox have exercised their $7.7 million option on Victor Martinez and declined options on Jason Varitek and Alex Gonzalez. They also agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, replacing a perpetual $4 million annual club option. The moves on the options were expected after Boston obtained Martinez from [...]

The Mike Cameron era in center field for the Milwaukee Brewers ended Monday when the 15-year veteran filed for free agency. Cameron's spot will be taken by Carlos Gomez, who was acquired Friday from Minnesota for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Four other Brewers filed for free agency, including outfielders Frank Catalanotto and Corey Patterson, catcher Jason [...]

The pitcher who helped Cuba defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the United States a decade ago is in stable condition after his face was crushed with a blunt object while trying to stop a fight. The government-controlled Radio Rebelde said Monday that Norge Luis Vera is "in delicate, stable condition and fully conscious." He is [...]

The Detroit Tigers have named former infielder Tom Brookens as the team's first base, outfield and baserunning coach. Manager Jim Leyland said Monday Brookens is a "perfect fit" for the staff. Brookens played 12 seasons with Detroit (1979-88), the New York Yankees (1989) and Cleveland Indians (1990).