Milledge Looks to Rein in Free Spirit but Retain Flair  —  Willie Randolph eyed the 20 or so reporters encircling him in the dugout and, with a sigh, prepared for what he considered inevitable.  —  "Come on, give me the first Milledge negative question," Randolph said.  "Come on, throw it at me.

Gibbons given lifeline through 2008  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — John Gibbons's status as a lame-duck manager didn't even last until position players reported here for spring training.  —  According to sources close to Gibbons and Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi …

Long way from Shea for former Mets star Ordonez  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -The first day of Rey Ordonez comeback couldn't have been any more humbling.  Or wet.  —  The former Gold Glover with the New York Mets began his first day on a baseball diamond since 2004 by fielding ground balls hit by a Mariners coach.

Expecting A Late Report From Manny  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Today is the reporting date for position players at Red Sox spring training camp.  So, naturally, there is almost no chance Manny Ramirez will be seen around here for at least a week.  —  His close friend, reliever Julian Tavarez …

Zambrano: Chance of agreement with Cubs '85 percent'  —  MESA, Ariz. — Carlos Zambrano said Monday he was "85 percent" sure he'd come to an agreement with the Cubs on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration.  —  "You'll see the news [Tuesday] morning, hopefully," Zambrano told reporters after Monday's workout at Fitch Park.

Mariners Notebook: Vidro wants DH crash course  —  New Mariner hopes to get tips from Edgar  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Jose Vidro wanted to be in camp early for his first season with a team other than the Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos.  —  Just one problem: Jose Vidro Jr., 11, was getting ready to play too, back in Puerto Rico.

Lindstrom's next mission: Make the Marlins' roster  —  After a two-year Mormon trip in Sweden, a stronger Matt Lindstrom returned with big-league ambitions.  —  mphillips@MiamiHerald.com  —  JUPITER - Are you ready for the Swedish fastball?  —  That might just be what they start calling Matt Lindstrom's heat.

Exercise helps left-hander Renyel Pinto's control  —  · Left-hander Renyel Pinto is not throwing in the towel.  It just looks that way.  —  Pinto spent part of Monday morning configuring a workout towel to use during drills.  He applied enough tape at one end to form a ring he'll grip …

Juan Pierre gets tips from a master  —  New Dodger is working with base-stealing legend Maury Wills to improve his efficiency on the basepaths.  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — A mutual admiration society comes to order every day at Dodgertown when new center fielder Juan Pierre meets with base-stealing legend Maury Wills.

Young to compete for spot with Nats  —  First baseman battled through many personal problems in '06  —  VIERA, Fla. — When Nationals general manager Jim Bowden contacted first baseman Dmitri Young almost two weeks go, Bowden started the conversation by asking, "Do you need a tow?"  —  They both laughed.

Alomar backstop insurance  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets signed catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a minor-league contract yesterday, a move that gives them added depth behind the plate and reunites the catcher with his father, the team's third-base coach.  —  Alomar, 40, batted a combined .278 …

Ledezma to get his shot  —  Left-hander can be slotted into several roles in 2007  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers aren't necessarily looking for Wilfredo Ledezma to emerge as the replacement for Jamie Walker.  They want him to focus on being Wilfredo Ledezma.

Notes: Sarfate ahead of schedule  —  Brewers reliever feels sharp after pitching winter ball  —  PHOENIX — Brewers right-hander Dennis Sarfate hit the ground running this spring after stints in the Arizona Fall League and the Mexican Winter League, and his manager appreciates the effort.

Morrow's mind is on mastering the mound  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Brandon Morrow is like most players in his first big league camp.  —  The next word he speaks might be his first.  —  First-timers tend to be quiet to the extreme, even those who are first-round draft choices and instant millionaires.

Benson will hold off on surgery … Orioles pitcher Kris Benson will put off surgery to repair his torn right rotator cuff and instead undergo a rehabilitation process, which could last a month, in a final attempt to pitch in 2007, a baseball source said last night.

Dunn brings fresh perspective to camp  —  Slimmed-down slugger re-dedicates himself at plate, in field  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Reds left fielder Adam Dunn had the required ingredients on Monday to put last season behind him.  —  An early arrival to camp?  Check.  A slimmed down physique?

Baseball caps to have new feel  —  A pitcher stands on the mound in the August sun, tugging at the bill of his sweat-soaked cap, stained white with the salt of his labors.  —  That might be an image of the past if Major League Baseball's new caps work according to plan.