Ryan Madson will be cautious in his rehab but he’s fully prepared to start the season as the Angels’ closer.

Jason Grilli’s signing was officially announced Wednesday afternoon by the Pirates, who had made retaining the key setup reliever an offseason priority.

Jason Grilli’s signing was officially announced Wednesday afternoon by the Pirates, who had made retaining the key setup reliever an offseason priority.

With many of the Rangers’ other preferred options starting to slip away, the best hope for an impact offseason move seems to be pointed mainly at re-signing Josh Hamilton.

With many of the Rangers’ other preferred options starting to slip away, the best hope for an impact offseason move seems to be pointed mainly at re-signing Josh Hamilton.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera promises that he will be ready to resume answering the call for save opportunities by Opening Day.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera promises that he will be ready to resume answering the call for save opportunities by Opening Day.

This awkward position Joe Blanton now finds himself in, as somewhat of a disappointment to a new fan base because he isn’t the guy they envisioned, is nothing new to him.

This awkward position Joe Blanton now finds himself in, as somewhat of a disappointment to a new fan base because he isn’t the guy they envisioned, is nothing new to him.

Braves general manager Frank Wren has been encouraged to hear and read about the success many of his players have experienced in winter leagues this year. This past weekend, he took manager Fredi Gonzalez and a few of his top front-office officials to the Dominican Republic to get a first-hand look at some of these players who could play important roles in Atlanta this year.

Braves general manager Frank Wren has been encouraged to hear and read about the success many of his players have experienced in winter leagues this year. This past weekend, he took manager Fredi Gonzalez and a few of his top front-office officials to the Dominican Republic to get a first-hand look at some of these players who could play important roles in Atlanta this year.

Infielder Jack Hannahan has agreed to a two-year deal with the Reds, the club announced Thursday.

The thrust of the big trade is a win-now approach by the Royals. James Shields and Wade Davis — who met the media in Kansas City on Wednesday — meshed with Ervin Santana and Jeremy Guthrie, are counted upon to lead a turnaround season.

And so Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has done it again. Filled a need. Smartly. Efficiently. Finished his offseason checklist.

Hard-throwing prospect Jarred Cosart has been a starter throughout his pro career, but he’d certainly try closing if it got him a spot on the Astros’ roster in 2013.

Hard-throwing prospect Jarred Cosart has been a starter throughout his pro career, but he’d certainly try closing if it got him a spot on the Astros’ roster in 2013.

This is last time for a long time that a date with three matching numbers will show like a slot machine winner. So we can’t let this date pass with at least a dozen baseball references, random as they may be.