May 2012 - Baseball Wiretap

Vernon Wells Retools Swing
Vernon Wells has retooled his swing ahead of the 2012 season as he looks to reinvigorate his career.

Los Angeles Times

Tigers Won't Rule Out Roster Surprise
The Tigers are leaving open the possibility that a long-shot could make their roster out of Spring Training.

Detroit News

Reds Sign Marshall To Three-Year Contract
The left-handed reliever could become the team's closer down the road.

Associated Press

Darvish To Make Rangers Debut March 7
Yu Darvish will make his first Cactus League start on March 7 against the Padres.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Abreu Told He'll Get 400 PAs With Angels
Bobby Abreu is not happy, but he appears resigned to his lesser role with the Angels.

Enrique Rojas/ESPN.com

Wilpon Intends To Own Mets For 'Very Long Time'
Fred Wilpon is working to sell minority shares in the Mets, each for a total of $20 million and a four percent stake in the team.

Adam Rubin/ESPN.com

Joel Zumaya Considering Retirement
Joel Zumaya's 2012 season is over because of yet another elbow injury and the reliever is now contemplating retirement.

Associated Press

Francona Calls Boston's Beer Ban A PR Move
Terry Francona doesn't agree with Boston's decision to ban beer from the clubhouse.

ESPN.com

Cardinals Giving Greene Chance To Win Job At Second
The Cardinals are giving Tyler Greene a chance to supplant Skip Schumaker as their regular second baseman this season.

Associated Press

A-Rod Offers Jeremy Lin Spot On His Couch
Before getting his own apartment, Jeremy Lin was sleeping on the couches of his brother and teammates.

Big League Stew

Zimmerman Still Isn't Highest-Paid Player On Nationals
Jayson Werth will average an $18 million salary over the next six seasons, while Ryan Zimmerman will take home $16.7 million annually.

Yahoo! Sports

Ellsbury: Long-Term Deal 'Always Possibility'
Jacoby Ellsbury will make $8.02 million in 2012.

WEEI.com

Hanley All Smiles, Ready To Be Game's Best Third Baseman
There was a lot of talk this winter about whether Hanley Ramirez would accept a move to third base.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Tsuyoshi Wada Misses Bullpen Session
The Baltimore pitcher is dealing with discomfort in his left elbow.

Associated Press

GM: Howard Hasn't Suffered Setback
Ryan Howard will head to Baltimore to have his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon examined.

CSN Philly

Torii Hunter Wants To Play 2-3 More Years
Torii Hunter said in September that he'd rather retire than play for a team other than the Angels.

Mark Saxon/ESPN.com

Swisher Won't Seek Contract During Season
The Yankees exercised their $10.5 million option on Nick Swisher's contract for the 2012 season.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN.com

Joel Zumaya Done For 2012
Twins reliever Joel Zumaya has a torn ligament in his right elbow and will miss the entire season.

Associated Press

Indians Lose Closer Perez For 4-6 Weeks
Indians closer Chris Perez will miss at least one month and possibly six weeks with a strained left side muscle.

Associated Press

Hamilton Clarifies That 'Loyalty' Is With Rangers
The outfielder added that if he becomes a free agent after this season, the first call he's making is to the Texas front office.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Zumaya's Session Ends Early With Elbow Discomfort
Joel Zumaya cut a session short on Saturday because of discomfort in his inner right elbow.

MLB.com

Diamondbacks Aren't Discussing Trade Of Parra
The Nationals are reportedly interested in Gerardo Parra, but the Diamondbacks aren't currently willing to deal him.

Arizona Republic

Ethier Reports To Camp, Impatient With Questions About Future
Andre Ethier isn't under contract past the 2012 season.

Los Angeles Times

Brewers To Extend Doug Melvin's Contract
With the Ryan Braun saga behind them, the Brewers are now focused on extending the contract of Doug Melvin.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Howard Suffers Setback In Recovery From Injury
Ryan Howard is leaving Philadelphia's camp for a few days to visit the doctor who did the surgery on his torn left Achilles tendon.

Associated Press

Nursing Abdominal Injury, Lee Will Throw Side Session
Cliff Lee will throw a side bullpen session Sunday when Philadelphia's pitchers throw to hitters for the first time in camp.

Associated Press

Nationals, Zimmerman Agree To $100M Extension
Ryan Zimmerman could earn up to $150 million if he remains with the Nationals through the 2020 season.

ESPN.com

Cain Looking For 'Fair Value' In Extension Talks
The Giants aren't close to agreeing to a contract extension with Matt Cain.

MLB.com

A-Rod Credits Health To Treatment Recommended By Kobe
Alex Rodriguez feels good this spring and credits his health to a special treatment suggested by NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant.

Associated Press

Hideki Matsui Isn't Close To Signing Deal
The slugger will likely wait and see how Spring Training plays out and which team might have a need for him.

Mark Feinsand/New York Daily News (via Twitter)