Indians bullpen has one less option with Foulke out … Cleveland's bullpen was a disaster last season, the difference between the Indians being competitive or not, and the hope of general manager Mark Shapiro was to create as many options for manager Eric Wedge going into the 2007 season.

Frustrated Cubs Find Match in Fiery Piniella  —  Lou Piniella paced feverishly on the grass behind second base, his arms flailing, eyes bulging, and head bobbing so vigorously that it looked as though his new cap might fly away.  —  He had been on the field with the Chicago Cubs for about five minutes.

Johnson talks of June return to lineup  —  First baseman says his injured right leg, hip, quad 'weak'  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson entered the club's dugout at Space Coast Stadium on Friday afternoon and jokingly grimaced in pain as he touched the two steps he needed to reach the playing surface.

Johnson is healed and hungry for '07 season  —  PHOENIX — He stands in a parking lot, throwing to a kid behind a white station wagon.  Dry-cleaning racks are behind him.  A vacant lot, littered by tumbleweeds and separated by a barbed-wired fence, is to his left, a warehouse to his right.

Matsuzaka shows his lighter side  —  Humble right-hander gives insight on what motivates him  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Without throwing a pitch, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave an entertaining performance at his City of Palms Park debut Thursday afternoon.  —  With about 150 reporters and photographers …

Schoeneweis's Jersey Isn't Just Any Number  —  After signing with the Mets, Scott Schoeneweis figured he had his big chance.  Finally, after all these years, he could stop being No. 60.  But when he walked into the clubhouse Wednesday evening and saw his new jersey, he recoiled.

'Great will to live'  —  PALM BEACH GARDENS — You like baseball stories?  Frank Torre has plenty.  You can't look 'em all up, but he swears they're true.  —  Like this one, about his little brother: "Joey used to hang up Stan Musial's jockstrap.''  —  That would be Joe Torre …

Fierce competition behind plate  —  Three's a crowd with only two spots open  —  Tucson -Three catchers competing for two roster spots equals one intense position battle for the Rockies as they open spring training today.  —  One candidate is baby-faced Chris Iannetta, 24.

Sharp curve for Trachsel … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // Rather than sit around his house and watch television footage of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, Steve Trachsel decided to start making some weekend plans that didn't include baseball.

Wait till next year  —  Cuddyer, like Morneau, gets a one-year contract from the Twins  —  Terry Ryan believes he has a saving grace:  —  The Twins' general manager went just 1 for 3 this winter in his attempt to lock up the arbitration-eligible players who make up the heart of the batting order to multiyear contracts.

Baltimore pitcher injured in motorcycle accident, will miss 2007 season  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jose Acevedo broke four ribs and his collarbone Friday in a motorcycle accident and is expected to miss the entire season, his Dominican winter league team said.

Pirates Notebook: Castillo to report much lighter  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — When second baseman Jose Castillo reports to spring training, he could check in 15-20 pounds lighter than he was last season, according to some in the Pirates' fold.

Ringolsby: Watch list is lengthy this year  —  TUCSON - With sun bearing down on Arizona and Florida, the heat is on:  —  Managerial hot seat  —  • Mike Hargrove, Seattle.  Club president Howard Lincoln said at the end of last year that Hargrove and general manager Bill Bavasi will be on "the hot seat" in 2007.