Sal Artiaga, a leader in the game’s Latin America community, has retired after nearly a half-century in professional baseball.

The Padres added some bullpen depth on Wednesday, trading outfielder Blake Tekotte to the White Sox for right-hander Brandon Kloess.

The General Managers Meetings were barely a few hours old before FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that the D-backs were engaged in active discussions about trading outfielder Justin Upton.

It requires a little imagination, at this point, but Tim Kissner has seen the vision. A piece of property that sits barren in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic will be home to a sparkling new 24-acre Mariners baseball academy in about 15 months, and Kissner knows the importance.

Beneath the surface of each good-natured text message about the football schedule, CC Sabathia has been quietly gauging Andy Pettitte’s thoughts about stepping back into the Yankees’ rotation.

Make no mistake, the Tigers will be spending this winter. It’s just a matter of how much goes to upgrades and how much will go toward keeping together the core of the existing team.

The 2012 Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards — voted on by media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, fans at MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research — feature nominees in 21 categories and all 30 clubs are represented.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan said the club will look at starting pitching help, and he made it clear that Zack Greinke is the best one available on the free-agent market. Texas is still interested in re-signing Josh Hamilton, but can’t wait all winter for him to make a decision.

Dave Magadan is in town to visit with players as he gets ready to assume his duties as the Rangers’ new hitting coach. He also stopped by the front office to chat with Nolan Ryan.

Orioles lefty Brian Matusz had surgery last month to repair a rectus abdominis tear, an injury he pitched with for the final three months of the 2012 campaign.

Like any other general manager with money to spend and the need for an outfielder, Braves general manager Frank Wren will certainly monitor the market for Josh Hamilton, but there are plenty of other attractive outfield options available. They include Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton, Torii Hunter and Nick Swisher.

With region continuing to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the Yankees and the New York Urban League announced Wednesday that the 2012 Football Classic has been cancelled.

Yasmani Grandal has been suspended for 50 games without pay by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball after testing positive for testosterone.

Manny Ramirez didn’t crack a Major League roster in his 2012 comeback attempt, but he now plans to continue his baseball career in the Dominican Winter League, according to the Dominican Prospect League.

The Red Sox have selected Juan Nieves as their new pitching coach, bringing in an experienced hand who learned under Don Cooper

The Twins added to their pitching depth, agreeing to terms with right-handers Samuel Deduno and Esmerling Vasquez on Minor League deals for the 2013 season.

The Mets and right-handed reliever Greg Burke agreed on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training on Wednesday.