The Giants appear to have respectable candidates to bolster their pitching staff as Spring Training looms with pitchers and catcher reporting next Friday to Scottsdale, Ariz.

Alex Rodriguez and his legal team have withdrawn their lawsuits against Major League Baseball, Commissioner Bud Selig and the Major League Baseball Players Association, indicating that the Yankees third baseman is ready to accept his season-long suspension.

Bryan Price was promoted from pitching coach to Reds manager in October. Immediately, the new position added responsibilities and brightened the spotlight of attention above his 6-foot-3 frame.

Miami’s bench has officially added some more power and versatility. The Marlins on Friday afternoon announced the signing of free agent Jeff Baker.

The D-backs and free-agent right-hander Bronson Arroyo have agreed to a two-year deal, a club source has confirmed.

Francisco Rodriguez is reuniting with the Brewers — again. The sides on Friday finalized a one-year Major League contract that returns the veteran reliever known as K-Rod to Milwaukee.

With Thursday night’s news that Fernando Rodney had agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Mariners, the expected — that the Orioles would look internally to fill their closer role — became a foregone conclusion. While Baltimore had some interest in Rodney, who was the top remaining available closer, the club’s priority is on upgrading the rotation, and manager Buck Showalter will likely call on right-hander Tommy Hunter for the ninth inning this season.

The Yankees’ Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter are among those expected make a big impact on their clubs’ fortunes if they can rebound from a tough 2013.

As he endures another bout of winter cold at home in Pittsburgh, former Tigers manager Jim Leyland is preparing to embark on the next phase of his career, and there’s a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Yankees captain Derek Jeter wrapped up his third week of on-field workouts Friday, a week before New York’s pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report.

The White Sox have added Mitchell Boggs to their 2014 bullpen, signing the right-hander to a one-year, $1.1 million deal. To make room for Boggs on the 40-man roster, Chicago outrighted right-handed pitcher Deunte Heath to Triple-A Charlotte.

Former Royal Mike Sweeney has returned to the organization as a special assistant to baseball operations.

A.J. Burnett’s free agency, which apparently hit the open field 10 days ago with reports that he would consider pitching for a team other than the Pirates, continues as a mystery.

A famous Babe Ruth-autographed baseball, upon which he promised a young fan he’d hit a home run for the child, was sold at auction on Thursday for $250,642.

Now that left-hander Bruce Chen has been virtually assured of starting the season as the Royals’ No. 4 starter, there’ll be a scramble for the fifth and last spot, including Luke Hochevar and Wade Davis

Jon Gray and Eddie Butler of the Rockies are the best two pitching prospects in the same organization, but with Mark Appel and Carlos Rodon, should the latter be this year’s No. 1 Draft pick, the Astros would move ahead of Colorado in that regard.

Ruben Amaro Jr. said Friday morning he will continue to look for ways to improve the Phillies’ roster, but with pitchers and catchers holding their first workout at Carpenter Complex in six days any significant additions seem unlikely.