At Mets' Camp, Pitchers Need Never Be Lonely  —  The pitchers' meeting was scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. sharp, and Aaron Sele was sitting at his locker at 8:28, trying to figure out where to go.  He turned to reliever Jon Adkins and, revealing the wisdom of a 14-year veteran, said, "Just follow the herd, I guess."

Rule Changes  —  A number of changes to the rules go into effect this year.  MLB will try to eliminate tie games.  In the past, if a game was tied after the fifth inning and conditions made it impossible to finish, it was ruled a tie.  The stats counted, but the game was made up so that a team had 162 decisions.

Wigginton, wife have morning they will never forget  —  Devil Rays infielder Ty Wigginton really stepped up to the plate in late December.  —  According to a report in the St. Petersburg Times, Wigginton's wife, Angela, went into intense labor two weeks early.

Gagne closed out Dodgers  —  After three electric seasons and two plagued by injuries, he starts fresh with the Rangers, who are convinced that he can finish games.  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — He'll still dress in blue, a lighter shade of blue.  But, on the first day of the rest of his life, he had Dodger blue on his mind.

Outfielder Jones wants to rumors behind him  —  MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Zambrano clarified his feelings on his contract negotiations Thursday and Mark Prior tried to clear up the issues surrounding his mental makeup one day later.  —  It was Jacque Jones' turn Saturday after he reported early to the Cubs' training camp.

Cabrera's arbitration win is first for player this year  —  PHOENIX — Miguel Cabrera became the first player to win in salary arbitration this year when the Florida Marlins' All-Star third baseman was awarded a $7.4 million salary on Saturday instead of the team's offer of $6.7 million.

Pitcher makes attitude adjustment  —  Lopez looking for fresh start following horrible season in AL  —  When Rodrigo Lopez contemplated his future, his past steered him in a new direction.  If he was really going to start fresh with the Rockies, he had to let go of the old things.

Ayala Is Upbeat On Mound  —  The last time Luis Ayala threw off a mound at the Washington Nationals' training complex, he had a solid major league season behind him and was looking forward to another.  That was last February.  —  In between then and Friday morning, Ayala pitched for Mexico …

Masset might fit in pitching rotation  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — The competition for the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation is getting more crowded.  —  Pitching coach Don Cooper said Friday that newly acquired Nick Masset may be evaluated as a starter, a role he has performed …

Edgar's life after baseball  —  Two years into retirement, Martinez runs a Redmond business and proves you can walk away from the game  —  REDMOND — It's not Safeco Field.  Or Yankee Stadium.  Or Camden Yards.  It's a small office in a nondescript business park a few blocks from Marymoor Park.

Rangers' pitchers will be put to test  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - New manager Ron Washington officially starts the daunting task of prepping a Rangers pitching staff this weekend.  —  Here's how he plans to do it: He plans to put all the pressure on the pitchers.

For those who emailed me about Sleeth  —  "If he's healthy, he's a top prospect, there's no question about that."  - Jim Leyland on Kyle Sleeth  —  Considering Kyle Sleeth just about dropped off the prospect map over the last two years, that's very high praise.

Trading Zambrano has upside  —  Cubs could obtain bonanza if they can stomach a deal  —  With Carlos Zambrano, Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle eligible for free agency after this season, Chicago sports columnists and talk-radio hosts should send thank-you cards to the respective front offices of the Cubs and White Sox.

Cubs' pitch to win is still Prior and Wood  —  Big bucks spent on roster rework can't ensure health of key hurlers  —  The Cubs are coming off the worst record in the National League, and off a $300-million spending spree this winter aimed at player improvements.

Expected to close for Indians, Keith Foulke retires  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Before he got a chance to finish another game, Keith Foulke closed his career.  —  Foulke, whose toss to first base for the final out ended an 86-year World Series title drought for the Boston Red Sox …