Glavine slips into Opening routine; Ambiorix amazes  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Still 38 days from the April 1 opener in St. Louis, the Mets have already placed Tom Glavine on a throwing program to ready him for that assignment.  —  Glavine will make his eighth career Opening Day start, and fourth in five years as a Met.

Johnson throws, says arm is `fine'  —  Right-hander Josh Johnson threw Wednesday as he tries to get ready for the season.  Johnson (12-7, 3.10 ERA last season) had irritation in his right biceps/triceps area three weeks ago and was shut down.  —  He reported to spring training Saturday …

SURLY SHEFF  —  GARY: TORRE TOOK FIRE OUT OF ME  —  The blaze in his belly has carried Gary Sheffield from the streets of Tampa to the doorsteps of Cooperstown.  Now, as he moved toward the first base line last October to be introduced with the reserves prior to Game 3 of the ALDS vs …

Auction may be in plans  —  Ramírez will travel to Atlantic City, says ad  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — While Manny Ramírez's teammates are scheduled to be working out here Saturday at the team's player development facility, the Red Sox left fielder is scheduled to appear …

Mariners Notebook: Unfazed Hargrove's focus is on team, not Ichiro news  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Ichiro Suzuki's revelation that he might explore free agency after the season could have at least two implications for the Mariners clubhouse this year.  —  The season could proceed as if nothing happened.

The Japanese Gyroball Mystery  —  Most major league pitchers throw a fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup.  Some mix in a sinker.  The experimental ones use a knuckleball.  None of them throws a gyroball, at least not on purpose.  —  For most of the past decade …

Notes: Yost picks spring's first starter  —  Vargas gets nod in Cactus kickoff, but who'll go Opening Day?  —  PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ned Yost on Wednesday named a starting pitcher for the team's first game, but it was not the opener most fans are interested in.

Benson and Orioles Meet to Clear the Air  —  At Issue Is Partially Torn Rotator Cuff  —  The first step in starter Kris Benson's rehabilitation program was to repair a potentially fraying relationship with the Baltimore Orioles.  Benson, who has a partially torn rotator cuff …

Floyd: Willie was confused  —  The ex-Met says Randolph wanted to bunt in Game 7, but bench coach talked him out of it.  —  In the annals of Mets disappointments, last Oct. 19 ranks near the top.  And within that crushing National League Championship Series Game 7 loss to the Cardinals, the bottom of the ninth hurts fans the most.

Ortiz's Salary Now A Bargain  —  But He's Happy With His Deal  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz's daughter, Alexandra, turns 6 next month.  The little girl loves getting presents, according to her Big Papi.  —  "When she sees a new box coming into the house, she's opening the box," Ortiz said.

Where is this man headed?  —  Podsednik's return to 2005 excellence begins in his mind  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — The rehabilitation from surgery for a sports hernia began in early February.  —  The rehab on what Scott Podsednik calls his ''upstairs,'' well, that started right after the 2006 regular season ended.

Belliard-Quick Takes From February 21, 2007  —  Alot has happened today.  Opportunity came my way, and I am taking advantage of it.  So, my first post of the day will not be long.  Just the basics.  —  On a GORGEOUS 78 Degree Sunny Day, the second day of Full Day Workouts for Our Washington Nationals commenced.

Go 2 Guy: Guardado still steamed at Grover  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — At the time, he seemed to take it well, as if he understood.  Eddie Guardado knew he wasn't pitching well and could see why Mike Hargrove removed him from the closer role.  —  The Mariners manager said it was temporary …

Samardzija caps 1st camp week  —  Ex-Notre Damer eyes possible Cactus League appearance as way to offset NFL-bound pals  —  MESA, Ariz. — After Cubs pitchers were done running Wednesday at Fitch Park, coach Larry Rothschild gave young right-hander Jeff Samardzija some unsolicited advice on how to wear his cap.

Clayton proud of his longevity  —  Shortstop credits wife for prolonging his baseball career  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Royce Clayton called it self evaluation.  Others might refer to it as resisting temptation.  —  In an era of bulging biceps, Clayton decided that his path to success wasn't via the home run.