Roger Clemens, named on 37.6 percent of 569 ballots, far short of the 75 percent he needed, expressed a mixture of disappointment and resignation that he was not elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Despite plenty of examples to draw from in recent years, Reds skipper Dusty Baker won’t exactly have a foolproof blueprint when it comes to managing Aroldis Chapman’s highly anticipated move to the starting rotation this season.

The Pirates’ agreement with left-hander Francisco Liriano, struck three weeks ago, appears to be off due to an injury suffered by the pitcher to his non-throwing right arm.

After mastering the knuckleball, R.A. Dickey’s numbers have improved for three consecutive seasons, and that’s ultimately what prompted Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade in December.

The Nationals re-signed first baseman Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $24 million deal with a mutual option for a third season Tuesday.

The most highly debated election for entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame ended Wednesday without a new inductee. For the first time since 1996, eligible members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America did not vote in a single player from a ballot of 37 candidates that was deep and controversial.

Alex Rodriguez’s injury “prehab” is going well, and the third baseman is scheduled to have his left hip surgically repaired later this month, general manager Brian Cashman has confirmed.

New Rangers designated hitter Lance Berkman is a former teammate of both free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn and pitcher Kyle Lohse. Apparently those two names came up when Berkman had lunch with Rangers officials on Monday.

Jeremy Affeldt has donated time and effort for years toward ending human trafficking and slavery. Recently, Affeldt gave something else to the cause: his presence.

The Giants’ World Series trophy will begin its much-anticipated, three-month public tour Tuesday with an appearance in Sacramento.

Lance Berkman officially joined the Rangers on Monday night. He is coming to Arlington to be primarily the Rangers designated hitter in a lineup that is expected to have Ian Kinsler at second base and Mitch Moreland at first base.

Sandy Alderson expects the Mets’ offseason to pick up the pace, but the general manager said the club isn’t close to any deal for a pitcher.

Are the Mariners focused on replacing Jason Vargas in the rotation with another lefty, and if so, who would that be? Greg Johns fields this and more in the Inbox.

The Brewers formally announced their one-year pact with veteran reliever Mike Gonzalez on Monday, a move that could cap general manager Doug Melvin’s bullpen makeover.

The Cardinals have been relatively quiet this offseason, and they’ve lost a few pieces from their 2011 World Series championship club, but they still figure to be a force in the National League this season.

Kris Johnson is too busy starring for Escogido in the Dominican Republic Winter League playoffs to make it to Pirate City for voluntary workouts, but the lefty will be there soon enough to try to pitch his way into the Bucs’ plans.

Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli suffered a whiplash injury on a foul tip while catching in the Venezuelan Winter League and traveled to Tampa, Fla., last week to be examined by the organization.