SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) The pitcher Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, told The Associated Press he hopes to obtain a judicial pardon and return to the Cleveland Indians this season.

Hernandez was placed on baseball's restricted list after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges last month. Authorities have said he is 31, three years older than the pitcher claimed.

"I'm doing all that is necessary so that when the pardon is granted, I won't have to wait long to play again," he said Wednesday.

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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn't expect Bobby Abreu to be a distraction in the clubhouse this season.

Speaking a day after Abreu said in a statement to ESPNdeportes that the Angels should trade him if he is going to spend most of his time on the bench this season, Scioscia spoke highly of the outfielder who will turn 38 on March 11, but stopped short of saying he will play every day. Read More...

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) An injured Ryan Howard clutching his leg and writhing in pain on the ground was the lasting image for the Philadelphia Phillies' disappointing 2011 finish.

The big slugger is doing much better now, and he was all smiles after taking batting practice Wednesday for the first time since surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon. Read More...

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Ronald Belisario spent last season in Venezuela instead of with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to visa problems.

The reason? A positive test for cocaine. Read More...

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Kelly Shoppach's preparation for his first season as a catcher with the Boston Red Sox includes more than just getting to know the pitching staff. He practically has to learn a different language.

He has to learn how to speak Varitek. Read More...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) Last summer, Carlos Beltran offered to foot the bill if then-Mets teammate Jonathan Niese received a nose job.

Now it's time to pay up. Read More...

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Texas Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan says the team assembling for this spring training "is as strong a club as we've ever been. "

At a packed news conference Wednesday, the Hall of Fame pitcher spoke of how impressed he is with the team's expensive addition from Japan, right-hander Yu Darvish, then talked of the addiction struggles of outfielder Josh Hamilton and his high expectations for this club. Read More...

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Denard Span has been assured by medical advisers that his concussion problems are behind him. He is ready to put the diagnosis to the test.

Span showed up at Hammond Stadium a couple of days early and said he is eager to get back out there with the rest of the Minnesota Twins after concussion and migraine problems limited him to 70 games in 2011. Read More...

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Mets have commitments for seven of the 10 ownership shares of $20 million each they are trying to sell to pay off debt and raise capital.

The sale of the limited partnership units will not take place until all 10 can close at the same time, a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing. Read More...

NEW YORK (AP) Former Yankees manager Lou Piniella has been hired by the team's YES Network as a special contributor.

Piniella will help with 20-30 events this year, including some game telecasts. He also is with the team as a spring training instructor in Tampa, Fla., near his home. Read More...