Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award Thursday, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson won four times from 1999 to 2002.

The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a twisted left knee and is being scratched from his start in the Arizona Fall League championship game.

Reliever Aaron Heilman was acquired Thursday by the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league prospects.

Some teams lost money in 2009, baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday after the final owners meeting of the year.

Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels and Jim Tracy of the Colorado Rockies, whose perseverance was their virtue battling through tragedy, grief and slow starts, were rewarded Wednesday by winning the 2009 manager of the year awards in their respective leagues.

Major League Baseball's free agent market officially opens for business at midnight Thursday, but instead of long lines and eager shoppers, teams might be waiting for markdowns to entice them to the door.

Perhaps it's the tight economy or the lack of marquee free agents on the market, but secrecy is running rampant among major league teams.

The Pittsburgh Pirates should have a quiet winter. That is a hopeful sign for the long-suffering franchise.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday he's working on tightening up the 2010 playoff schedule so there will be fewer gaps between games.

After years of working with national teams, Davey Johnson is returning to the Nationals.

All eyes are on Stephen Strasburg as he prepares to bring desert heat in the Arizona Fall League in what is essentially his professional debut. There are microphones in his face, autograph hounds in the stands and scouts lots of them ready to monitor every pitch and every glitch.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke, who quit baseball three years ago, completed his comeback Tuesday by winning the American League Cy Young Award.

Wally Backman has been hired as manager of the New York Mets' Brooklyn Cyclones farm team in the New York-Penn League.

Sandy Alomar Jr.'s baseball career has brought him back home. The Indians' popular former All-Star catcher has been hired by new Cleveland manager Manny Acta as the team's first-base coach. Alomar had spent the past two seasons as a catching instructor for the New York Mets. He will also mentor Cleveland's catchers.

Baseball's free agent season begins Friday with a market headlined by a couple of outfielders, thin on starting pitching but loaded with enough relievers and infielders just below the star level to make for some potential bargain hunting. A look at the top 10 players available and where we think they will sign:

The Baseball Writers' Association of America began its postseason awards season. But why wait to hear about those when a panel of 12 USA TODAY reporters and editors can share its choices for the awards? As with the BBWAA awards, voting was conducted before the postseason. Let the debates begin.

Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey and Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan were rewarded for their prolific debuts Monday when they received baseball's rookie of the year honors.

Former All-Star closer John Wetteland was resting at home Thursday night after a trip to a hospital, where the Seattle Mariners say he was treated for an elevated heart rate.

After shortstop Jack Wilson arrived in Seattle in a trade last summer, it didn't take long for him to know he wanted to stay.

Former All-Star closer John Wetteland was resting at home Thursday night after a trip to a hospital, where the Seattle Mariners say he was treated for an elevated heart rate. Authorities responded to a 911 call from Wetteland's home in the afternoon. Wetteland just finished his first season as Seattle's bullpen coach.