Tendinitis in his left elbow caused Padres pitching prospect Robbie Erlin to miss three months of the 2012 season, so it only makes sense that the left-hander is in a hurry to make up for lost time.

One year later, Mike Matheny’s appointment as Cardinals manager can hardly be met with criticism. He led the Cards to an 88-win season and a return to the playoffs. The club played 13 postseason games, falling one victory short of advancing back to the World Series.

The Royals, as anticipated, declined to exercise their option on closer Joakim Soria’s $8 million contract for 2013, making him a free agent on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates named 1990s fixture Jay Bell their hitting coach on Wednesday, one of three additions to manager Clint Hurdle’s staff.

Adam LaRoche heads a group of free-agent first basemen that doesn’t include any game-changing superstars as in years past. But there are still first basemen available who could help a team.

The Orioles have announced they declined the $11 million club option for first baseman Mark Reynolds and picked up Luis Ayala’s club option for 2013.

Indians manager Terry Francona unveiled his coaching staff for the upcoming season on Wednesday. The group is a mix of men who either have ties to the Indians manager or a history with the organization.

On Wednesday, the Indians announced that they picked up Ubaldo Jimenez’s club option for the 2013 season and declined their options for veteran designated hitter Travis Hafner and right-hander Roberto Hernandez.

They Angels are seeking a trade for Ervin Santana and Dan Haren before deciding whether to exercise the pitchers’ respective contract options for 2013.

Rafael Soriano, who stepped in as the Yankees’ closer this year after Mariano Rivera suffered a season-ending knee injury, opted out of the final year of his contract Wednesday, the Yankees announced.

Several members of the newly crowned World Series champion San Francisco Giants emptied their lockers and dressing stalls Tuesday at AT&T Park, which will enable them to make a quicker getaway to their offseason homes after Wednesday’s parade.

The Mets on Tuesday exercised the 2013 contract options of third baseman David Wright and right-hander R.A. Dickey as they work to hammer out long-term extensions for the pair.

Right-hander Jake Peavy started the day Tuesday by signing a two-year contract extension with the White Sox then capped it off by receiving his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award on a night full of first-time winners.

Russell Martin and Mike Napoli both arrived to the big leagues in 2006, and they once again share a link as they enter this year’s free-agent market as the top two available catchers.

From as far back as Spring Training 2012, Jake Peavy talked about his honest hope to avoid a first foray into free agency and stay with a White Sox organization he now considered home.

This offseason’s group of free-agent relievers offers fewer candidates for a Jonathan Papelbon-like mega-deal, but boasts greater depth, particularly among the setup men.

The Rays have informed right-hander James Shields that they will exercise his $10.25-million option for next season, according to a Tampa Bay Times report.