After 16 big-league seasons, former All-Star righty Kevin Millwood is set to retire, according to a report in the Shelby Star.

Hanley Ramirez was all smiles Saturday after his Dominican team, the reigning champion Leones del Escogido, moved to 2-0 in this Caribbean Series with a 6-2 win over Puerto Rico. About 750 miles northwest, though, a Dodgers front office grows uneasy as its prized asset continues to play games outside the U.S. and away from shortstop.

Fernando Valenzuela’s no-brainer induction to the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame will take place Sunday, at 10 a.m. MT at the University of Sonora’s Arts Center.

In hopes of cracking the final spot of a revamped Royals rotation, or at the very least ensuring that he sticks in the big leagues, Mexico’s Luis Mendoza is getting a nice head start.

One week after undergoing surgery to repair an injured right knee, Corey Hart told a reporter that he was already in rehab mode and was aiming to beat the projection for his return by as much as a month.

What a difference a year has made for Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun. He was anything but relaxed as the calendar flipped to February a year ago, when he was faced with the prospect of a 50-game suspension.

What a shame the Baltimore Ravens don’t play in the American or National League. Otherwise, they would have a splendid chance to win a world championship this weekend. Instead, the Ravens have no chance against the superior San Francisco 49ers.

Dear Punxsutawney Phil, please don’t take this rodentally, but we’ve renamed your big day. It’s Grounds Crew Day now.

Newly minted Estadio Sonora hosted the opening games of Hermosillo, Mexico’s first Caribbean Series since 1997 on Friday to plenty of fanfare, an accomplishment that many thought unlikely when the stadium’s construction began only 13 months ago.

If Hanley Ramirez is going to get some preseason reps at shortstop, it probably won’t come during the Caribbean Series, as the Dodgers star is expected to DH during the seven-day event.

The Reds on Friday added some depth to their bullpen and behind the plate by signing two free agents. Lefty Manny Parra was signed to a one-year contract worth a reported $1 million, with a chance to earn an additional $400,000 in appearance bonuses. Earlier in the day, the club signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a Minor League contract with an invite to big league Spring Training as a non-roster player.

Much of the Rockies’ task in 2013 will be making folks forget last year, when they set a club record with 98 losses. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who had to watch much of the mess from the dugout because of a left groin injury, is out to deliver some reminders.

The inaugural Astros in Action Division II Invitational at Minute Maid Park began Friday with four games. Abilene Christian, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Incarnate Word and Tarleton State were all victorious.

Astros owner Jim Crane was munching on some popcorn he had just purchased from the concession stand along the first-base line Friday afternoon and couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of a sun-splashed baseball field and his alma mater’s logo on the scoreboard.

The Giants’ 2012 World Series trophy, along with its 2010 counterpart and other symbols of victory, will be on display adjacent to San Francisco Bay — at Pier 48, just beyond McCovey Cove — when the 20th FanFest is held on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The Mets added another name to their outfield mix Friday, signing veteran Marlon Byrd to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Astros owner Jim Crane will skip Super Bowl pregame on Sunday to play nine holes of golf with two of the game’s biggest legends — Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus — as part of a charity tournament being held at his Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City, Fla.