Kershaw, Dodgers agree to 2 years, $19M (AP)
NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a salary arbitration hearing next week, agreeing to a $19 million, two-year contract. Tuesday's deal for the 23-year-old left-hander calls for a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $7.5 million this year and $11 million in 2013.

Rangers, SS Andrus agree to 3-year deal (AP)
Shortstop Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that the contract runs through the 2014 season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and hadn't been finalized.

A's agree to extend GM Beane through '19 (AP)
Billy Beane is planning to stay in the Bay Area for the long haul. Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff said Tuesday that the team has agreed to extend the contracts of the general manager as well as team President Michael Crowley through the 2019 season. Wolff, confirming comments first made on Bloomberg Television, wrote in an email to The Associated Press that the deals are in the process of being...

Hamilton sees MLB doctors after relapse (AP)

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton visited doctors for Major League Baseball and the players' association this week in New York following his admitted relapse with alcohol. General manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday night that Hamilton was accompanied by Shayne Kelley, the team's newly hired major league staff assistant whose job includes being in a support role for Hamilton.

Tigers confident in Fielder's longevity (AP)
Dave Dombrowski is showing no sign of buyer's remorse. The Tigers' general manager spoke Tuesday as part of a Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association luncheon, expressing confidence new first baseman Prince Fielder can stay productive through most if not all of his expensive nine-year contract.

Utilityman Hall, Yankees agree to deal (AP)
The Yankees have agreed to a minor league contract with utilityman Bill Hall and invited him to big league spring training. Hall announced the deal on his Twitter account Tuesday, and New York confirmed the agreement. If Hall is added to the Yankees' 40-man roster, he would get a $600,000, one-year contract and have the chance to earn an additional $600,000 in performance bonuses.

Hall of Fame to start drug education (AP)
The Baseball Hall of Fame is starting a drug education program for students and young adults -- in the same year Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa will appear on ballot for the first time after careers tainted by steroid accusations. While adding PEDs to RBIs and ERAs among its interests, the Hall emphasized Wednesday that its new initiative wasn't tied to the former stars up for...

Ex-Orioles, Rays OF Clyburn shot, killed (AP)
Police say former major league outfielder Danny Clyburn Jr. has been shot and killed in his South Carolina hometown. Lancaster police say officers found the 37-year-old Clyburn in the front yard of his home around 2 a.m. Tuesday. Police say witnesses told them they saw Clyburn arguing with 36-year-old Derrick Lamont McIlwain shortly before Clyburn was shot.

Lawsuit pins false advertising on Brett (AP)
Lawyers are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit that claims Hall of Fame slugger George Brett has been falsely advertising necklaces and bracelets as being able to help improve health and sports performance. A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Des Moines claims Spokane Valley, Wash.-based Brett Bros.

Rockies acquire RHP Guthrie from Orioles (AP)
The Colorado Rockies acquired veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, a move that bolsters their young rotation. In exchange, the Rockies sent reliever Matt Lindstrom and right-hander Jason Hammel to the Orioles. Guthrie, the Orioles' opening day starter three of the last four seasons, lost 17 games last season, the most in the American League, and finished...