Catcher Posey back in action for Giants at last

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Buster Posey squatted into a catcher's crouch for his first spring training bullpen session and began receiving pitches from ace Tim Lincecum, then Matt Cain.

He practiced with no hesitation or signs he had ever been seriously hurt.

Posey showed he has plenty of pop in his bat, too. He cleared the fences a couple of times Sunday in his first round of batting practice at Scottsdale Stadium, Day One for Giants pitchers and catchers.

The 2010 NL Rookie of the Year made his highly anticipated return to the field in a formal setting after a season-ending leg injury last year. He tore three ligaments in his left ankle and broke a bone in his lower leg in a frightening home-plate collision with Florida's Scott Cousins on May 25.

General manager Brian Sabean, manager Bruce Bochy and the brass kept a watchful eye on Posey in the bullpen. It was a monumental moment for Posey, whose long road to recovery included having screws removed from his surgically repaired left ankle in July and pushing himself around on a makeshift scooter to keep weight off the injured leg.

Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong says he will miss at least the first 10 days of workouts while he recovers from a strained back that he injured lifting weights this month.

Cincinnati: Right-hander Brett Tomko is back with the team that launched his career, signing a minor-league deal as the Reds opened camp in Goodyear, Ariz.

Tomko, who will turn 39 on April 7, was invited to camp, which opened with all 36 pitchers taking physicals before a two-hour workout. Position players are scheduled to report for physicals and work out Friday.

Tomko is a footnote to Reds history - part of the four-player package traded to Seattle for Ken Griffey Jr. on Feb. 10, 2000.

Detroit: Think you have what it takes to be a Tiger?

The club is giving fans a chance to prove it.

The Tigers will hold a tryout camp March 5 at their TigerTown Minor League Complex in Lakeland, Fla.

It's for players ages 18 to 23, or those with previous pro baseball experience.

Minnesota: Manager Ron Gardenhire has settled on an opening-day starter. Veteran right-hander Carl Pavano will get that honor.

New York Yankees: C.C. Sabathia's weight is down, and the Yankees are counting on that to help his performance.

The five-time All-Star said he has shed 10 to 15 pounds and reported to spring training weighing about 290 - the same as a year ago when he pitched brilliantly early in the season but not nearly as effective down the stretch, when he appeared to be much heavier.

After winning 13 of his first 17 decisions, Sabathia finished 19-8 overall with a 3.00 ERA. The Yankees rewarded him with a contract extension that added $30 million and one season to his existing contract.

A.J. Burnett's tenure in pinstripes is over. The Yankees and Pirates have completed a trade that sends the much-maligned pitcher to Pittsburgh for a pair of minor leaguers.

Commissioner Bud Selig had to approve the deal because of the money involved.

St. Louis: Adam Wainwright's season-ending elbow injury last February was supposed to ruin the Cardinals' season. Now, the former 20-game winner is healthy again, ready to rejoin a rotation that was strong enough to win it all without him.

Wainwright, 30, was a workhorse before getting hurt last spring, totaling 266 1/3 innings in 2009-10.

Washington: Mike Cameron, 39, has told the Nationals he is retiring after a 17-season career in which the center fielder won three Gold Gloves.

The outfielder signed a minor-league contract with Washington in December and was expected to have a good shot to make the roster with the Nationals unsettled at center field.

The 2001 All-Star played for eight franchises, hitting .249 with 278 homers and 968 RBIs.

Last year Cameron hit .203 in 78 games for Boston and Florida.

Jayson Werth could start the season in center field, making room for 19-year-old phenom Bryce Harper in right field if he makes the team.