Bobby Valentine's managerial career — which started in Texas, moved to New York and then all the way to Japan — began what should be a fascinating next chapter on Thursday, when he was unveiled as the 45th skipper in the storied history of the Red Sox.

Meggie Zahneis's determination and charming personality has not only given a life without limits, it's opened one door after another. The latest is a position as an MLB.com youth reporter, writing stories about her hometown Reds and baseball at large.

Jose Bautista and Ricky Romero were unanimous winners of the annual awards handed out by the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association on Thursday afternoon.

Hampered for months with discomfort in his right knee, Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison has opted for arthroscopic surgery on Monday in Miami.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hasn't been shy about talking about his desire for a new contract. He has used Twitter to convey his feelings on the good progress earlier this week.

If there was a 2012 wish list Robin Ventura could put together, here's a snippet as to how it would look: "Obviously, I would love to be able to hand the ball to John Danks 30-plus times and Gavin Floyd the same thing and have Carlos [Quentin] in right."

The Nationals named Tony Beasley as the manager of their Triple-A club in Syracuse on Thursday. Beasley replaces Randy Knorr, who was hired more than a week ago as the Nats' bench coach.

A year and a half after Joel Zumaya last threw a Major League pitch, the triple-digit fastballer is ready to show he can pitch again. Whether he does it for the Tigers is a question not even Zumaya can answer right now.

A couple of months ago, free agent David DeJesus, his wife and 18-month-old son moved into a new house in suburban Wheaton, Ill., to be closer to his wife's family. They didn't know at the time David's next team would be an easy commute from home.

The Mets have hired general manager Sandy Alderson's son, Bryn Alderson, as a professional scout, the team announced Thursday in a round of hirings and promotions

When Bobby Valentine fills out the card for the Boston Red Sox's Opening Day lineup on April 5 in Detroit, it will be his first in 3,476 days. That's nine dog-eared years, a lapse few managers have had to conquer.

The Cubs will likely be active at next week's Winter Meetings, but don't expect to see Theo Epstein holding court much in the lobby of the Hilton Anatole.

The Pirates on Thursday announced their Minor League staff assignments for 2012, with the managers of the top three affiliates remaining in place from this past season.

The Royals announced the signings of seven Minor Leaguers, including left-hander Tommy Hottovy and right-hander Zach Miner, on Thursday.

A slow-developing market for free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes could receive some juice as soon as this weekend, when Mets general manager Sandy Alderson plans to reopen the lines of communication with Reyes' agents at the Winter Meetings.

Adding infield depth, the Dodgers agreed to terms Thursday with Adam Kennedy on a one-year Major League contract. The deal is worth $800,000 and includes $150,000 in incentives based on plate appearances.

The Major League Baseball Players Association ratified a new five-year Basic Agreement forged by the union and the owners on Thursday at its executive board meeting in Irving, Tex.