National Baseball Report

Strasburg injures knee

Washington Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg has injured his left knee during a workout and will miss the Arizona Fall League championship game Saturday.  Strasburg twisted his left knee and an MRI show inflammation in the knee.  He will be examined on Friday in Los Angeles.  The injury is not considered serious.

Source: Associated Press - Sports Illustrated

Bay declines Red Sox initial contract offer

Free agent outfielder Jason Bay declined the initial contract offer made by the Boston Red Sox.  The offer was reportedly for four years and around $60 million.  Several clubs have expressed interest in Jason Bay.

"It's not a surprise that a player that's gone this far wants to see what's out there," Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said by phone in Bay's regard, though Epstein declined comment on the team's talks with Bay.

Source: Jon Heyman - Sports Illustrated

34-year old Japanese pitcher looking to play in the major leagues

Hisanori Takahashi said that he want to play in the major leagues.  Takahashi, a 34-year old pitcher who went 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 2009 in Japan, wants to follow in the footsteps of Hideki Matsui and Koji Uehara, who he onced played with.  He allowed five runs on six hits in his only appearance in the Japan Series in 2009.

Source: Associated Press - Sports Illustrated

Indians add three coaches to staff

The Cleveland Indians added bench coach Tim Tolman, third base coach Steve Smith and bullpen coach Scott Radinsky to their major league staff.  Tolman has spent many years working with manager Manny Acta, including 12 years in the Houston Astros organization.  Smith has worked as as an infield and thid base coach with Seatle, Texas and Philadelphia.  Radinksy has been the pitching coach for the Indians' Triple-A club for the last three seasons.

Source: Associated Press - Sports Illustrated

Braves will listen to offers for starting pitchers

Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren will listen to offers for his starting pitchers.  Wren said they could move a starter to the bullpen but that it is not likely.  The Braves are looking for offense, possibly a corner outfielder.

Source: Jon Heyman - Sports Illustrated

Yankees to talk with Blue Jays about Halladay

The New York Yankees are planning on talking to the Toronto Blue Jays about pitcher Roy Halladay.  Earlier, Blue Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos said that he is not against trading with teams in their division.

Source: Jon Heyman - Twitter

Torrealba declines Rockies' contract offer

Jon Heyman reports that the Colorado Rockies declined the $4 million 2010 option on catcher Yorvit Torrealba.  The Rockies then offered the catcher a two-year $4.5 million contract.  Torrealba declined the Rockies' contract offer.

Mariners are keeping Felix Hernandez

Jon Heyman reports that Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said the team is planning on keeping Felix Hernandez, even past the end of his current contract.

"Felix is our property. We're going to have him for the next two years and we're looking forward to having him beyond that,'' Zduriencik said here at the GM meetings.

Yankees targeting Lackey

Jon Heyman reports that the New York Yankees are going to try to sign pitcher John Lackey.

Word is that the Yankees probably will be willing to repeat A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million, five-year contract for Lackey. Although, one person close to Lackey -- whose offer to stay with the Angels this spring was for less than $40 million over three years on top of this year's $10 million salary -- indicated the longtime Angels right-hander sees himself in a higher echelon than Burnett. Lackey was 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Angels last year and has been their ace for some of his eight seasons there.

Braves Deny Joining Chapman Sweepstakes

Update 10:12p.m.: Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are denying having any interest in Aroldis Chapman.

Original: Melissa Segura reports that the Atlanta Braves are the latest team interested in meeting with the agent of Aroldis Chapman.  The two sides are expected to meet in the next few weeks.  There are currently believed to be nine teams with interest in Chapman.