Here are a few links to follow on Monday:

• Jane Lee of MLB.com reports that pitcher Justin Duchscherer is scheduled to have a nerve ablation procedure on Tuesday. The recovery time could be one day to one week.
• Buster Olney of ESPN.com says the Pirates are getting better.
• Olney suggests that MLB should invite the best sluggers to the Home Run Derby as opposed to using the player already at the All Star Game. This would be similar to the way the NBA organizes their three-point and slam dunk contests.
• When asked about his contract situation, Joe Mauer responded with, “I’m not oging to get into any of that.” according to La Velle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune. Mauer also plans to cut his beard off.
• Chico Harian of The Washington Post says that rookie Stephan Strasburg will open the season in the Minors rather than with the Nationals’ big league club, barring extraordinary circumstances.
• Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic says that Diamondbacks’ right fielder Justin Upton has acknowledged contract talks with the club. Upton did not know if the talks would lead to a deal.
• Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers will make an effort this spring to get Prince Fielder to agree to a long-term deal.
• Brad Lefton of The Seattle Times writes about former Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima and his homecoming to Japan.
• Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times says that Eric Gagne is open to accepting a Minor League assignment if he does not make the Dodgers’ Opendin Day roster.