• The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club and right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one-year ($12.4 million) deal for the 2007 season, thus avoiding arbitration.
  • Dodger manager Grady Little announced today that right-hander Derek Lowe would be the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter for the third consecutive season on April 2 in Milwaukee.
  • Tampa Bay’s Joe Maddon on his plans for using Jonny Gomes in the field: “We’re going to have him work out in the outfield. Right now we are talking about Rocco, Carl, and Delmon absolutely but stuff happens and I want Jon to be ready. ”
  • Pirates Neil Walker spent an hour or so working on the mechanics of playing third base with infield instructor Tony Beasley.
  • The Arizona Diamondbacks today announced that Junior Noboa has been promoted to Special Assistant to the General Manager, Latin American Operations. Noboa has served as the Director of Latin American Operations since October, 2003.
  • Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had a cortisone injection Monday to relieve soreness in his surgically-repaired wrist. Everything is deemed precautionary right now.
  • Jim Edmonds will be taking it easy at the start of spring training following a winter that included shoulder and toe surgery. Edmonds won't hit or run during the first couple of weeks of workouts, and will only throw lightly.
  • The Angels learned Tuesday that Orlando Cabrera played 15 to 20 games in Colombia this winter — without the Angels' permission. That’s not the type of thing that endears you to your employer.
  • Barry Bonds arrived in camp on Tuesday looking more fit than in recent years after a winter of extensive conditioning.
  • Bernie Williams rejected the New York Yankees' offer of a minor league contract and will wait to see if a guaranteed job opens up for him on the team. Hopefully Bernie can go away for a while now. Geez…enough of this story.
  • Andruw Jones showed up for spring training Tuesday about 10 pounds lighter and made it perfectly clear he'll be looking to get paid "market value" in his new deal. The Braves will not get a home team discount.
  • Contrary to yesterday’s reports, Coco Crisp showed up at Spring Training today and said his healed finger feels fine.
  • Kris Benson decided Tuesday that he will opt for rehabilitation instead of surgery and try to pitch again this season.
  • Phil Garner named Roy Oswalt the Astros opening day starter.
  • The complete ballot for the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team was released today and it includes pitchers Bob Gibson, Jim Kaat, Greg Maddux; catchers Johnny Bench, Bob Boone, Bill Freehan, Ivan Rodriguez, Jim Sundberg; first basemen Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly, Wes Parker, Vic Power, J.T. Snow, Bill White; second basemen Roberto Alomar, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Morgan, Bobby Richardson, Ryne Sandberg, Frank White; third basemen Buddy Bell, Ken Boyer, Eric Chavez, Brooks Robinson, Scott Rolen, Mike Schmidt; shortstops Luis Aparicio, Mark Belanger, Dave Concepcion, Derek Jeter, Ozzie Smith, Omar Vizquel; and outfielders: Paul Blair, Roberto Clemente, Andre Dawson, Jim Edmonds, Dwight Evans, Curt Flood, Ken Griffey Jr., Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, Al Kaline, Garry Maddox, Willie Mays, Kirby Puckett, Ichiro Suzuki, Larry Walker, Devon White, Dave Winfield, Carl Yastrzemski.