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."

Cubs, Zambrano ought to reach agreement  —  First, the Cubs need to settle their arbitration case with right-hander Carlos Zambrano before Tuesday's scheduled hearing.  —  Then, they need to sign Zambrano to his desired contract extension, and a five-year deal in the $80 million range should be acceptable to both parties.

Still Healing: Physical, emotional scars remain for Isringhausen  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Less than five months have lapsed since Jason Isringhausen went to sleep not knowing what he would learn when he awoke from hip surgery.  —  An orthopedist in Nashville, Tenn., would either shave the neck …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Notes: Clemens leans toward retirement  —  Rocket gives 20 percent chance that he will play in 2007  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — It's a far cry from the 99.9 percent rate Roger Clemens has quoted in the last few offseasons, and if we're to take The Rocket at his word, it looks like he truly is leaning toward retirement.