The immediate assumption is that we’ve likely seen the end of A-Rod, saddled as he is with hip issues and, now, another doping scandal from which he’ll presumably never recover.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry.

It turns out that the topic of performance-enhancing drugs offers a vivid reminder of the classic movie “Casablanca.”

The Yankees have expressed interest in free-agent slugger Travis Hafner, as the club is looking toward the remaining late-winter options for its designated hitter slot.

You know the thing about this baseball season that excites me the most? It’s that there’s chaos in the land. Go ahead and pick a World Series winner. Tigers? Nationals? Giants? If you asked a dozen baseball fans, you might get a dozen different answers. And that’s a beautiful thing.

Alfredo Silverio has come so far he doesn’t want to go back. Considering all that the 25-year-old has gone through, it’s understandable that he is eager for a fresh start.

Pitchers and catchers don’t report to Spring Training until Feb. 12. Stocking the team is another matter. On Wednesday morning, the Rays’ clubhouse staff loaded equipment and supplies onto trucks to send to the Charlotte Sports Complex for Spring Training.

The Nationals are looking to win their second consecutive National League East title, and they realize it will not be easy. They noticed that the Braves improved themselves last week by acquiring outfielder Justin Upton in a trade that sent infielder/outfielder Martin Prado and prospects to the D-backs.

The Mariners have made plenty of aggressive moves this winter, but signing top free agent Michael Bourn would be the icing on the cake that could put them back in the American League West conversation.

After 24 big league seasons, Omar Vizquel has his first post-playing job as the Angels’ new roving infield instructor.

Catcher Brian Schneider — who caught 13 years with the Expos/Nationals organization, Mets and Phillies — has decided to retire, according to his hometown newspaper, the Allentown Morning Call.

The Mets on Tuesday reached an agreement with second baseman Daniel Murphy on a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. Murphy was the last Mets player awaiting an arbitration hearing next month.

Well-respected Red Sox bullpen coach Gary Tuck, who was to be the only holdover on the staff from a year ago, has decided to retire, according to the Red Sox.

The events of the Rangers’ tumultuous offseason swirl around first baseman Mitch Moreland and outfielder Craig Gentry. They know the news, the rumors and gossip, but profess to not being affected by it all.

When Manny Upton was at Turner Field for his son B.J. Upton’s introductory news conference in November, he playfully told a media member to tell Braves general manager Frank Wren to trade for his other son.

On Tuesday afternoon, a contingent from the Rays headed by principal owner Stuart Sternberg addressed the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. The message echoed that of the previous week, when the same contingent met with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners: Let’s get the ball rolling.

The Angels settled on a 2013 contract with relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen on Tuesday, thus avoiding arbitration with any of their eligible players.