Here are some quick notes on some of the big headlines around baseball from Wednesday and Thursday:

• According to reports, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids during a January meeting with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Read more: CBSSports.com
• Seven-time All-Star and long time Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young will serve as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels. Read more: WFAA.com, The Star-Telegram

• Chris Iott of MLive.com reports that veteran outfielder Torii Hunter has received interest from several teams. Read more: MLive.com
• Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is reportedly ‘back to 100 percent’ after undergoing wrist surgery in September. Read more: theScore
• The Chicago Cubs are reportedly interested in Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starter Cole Hamels. Read more: CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com
• The Los Angeles Angels traded catcher Hank Conger to the Astros on Wednesday. Read more: latimes.com, MLB Daily Dish
• Former MLB pitcher Brad Halsey died in a climbing accident this past Friday at the age of 33. Read more: nytimes.com, Bleacher Report
• New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner underwent core muscle surgery back in October. Read more: ESPN, NBCSports.com
• Free agent pitcher Troy Patton has been suspended by Major League Baseball 80 games following a positive test for an amphetamine. Read more: FoxSports.com, CBSSports.com
• The Tampa Bay Rays traded lefty reliever Cesar Ramos to the Angeles on Wednesday. Read more: latimes.com, MLBTR
• According to a report, the Colorado Rockies are willing to listen to offers on star players Carlos Gonzales and Troy Tulowitzki. Read more:
• The Marlins have begun extension talks with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Read more: The Denver Post, NESN.com
• Brendan Kuty of New Jersey Advance Media reports that multiple teams have expressed interest in infielder Jed Lowrie. Read more: nj.com
• The Phillies have discussed moving third baseman Cody Asche to the outfield in order to make room at third for prospect Maikel Franco. Read more: NBCSports.com
• San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera has been charged with resisting arrest. Read more: ESPN
• Pitcher J.J. Putz has rejoined the Arizona Diamondbacks as a special assistant to President and CEO Derrick Hall. Read more: Sporting News, NBCSports.com
• San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is expected to rejoin the starting rotation in 2015. Read more: CSN Bay Area
• According to a report, the New York Mets are among the teams expressing interest in White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Read more: NBCSports.com, MLBTR
• The Rays released their preliminary list of managerial candidates on Thursday. Read more: CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com
• The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the hiring of GM Farhan Zaidi. Read more: latimes.com
• Giants general manager Brian Sabean said on Thursday that the team has made a contract offer to third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Read more: theScore

Chris Brown, St. Louis Baseball Today