Sox won't extend Schilling  —  Pitcher will declare for free agency after season  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — When it comes to signing players, age discrimination is not a federal offense.  So general manager Theo Epstein, confirming what Curt Schilling announced earlier yesterday …

A pain in the neck  —  Bout of arthritis knocks out Duque  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Orlando Hernandez officially may be listed as 37 years old, but he has the aches of someone a few years older.  El Duque traveled to New York yesterday so Mets doctor Struan Coleman could examine his cranky neck at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Hughes throws 'filthy stuff'  —  That's how Giambi describes BP session of Yanks' top prospect  —  TAMPA, Fla. — If Phil Hughes was even a tad nervous about throwing batting practice to the Yankees' major-leaguers in front of manager Joe Torre and company, it sure didn't show.

Willie: Cliff's crossed up  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel said they still "love" Cliff Floyd.  —  That doesn't mean they cared for him characterizing the manager as "confused" during the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS - or for Floyd portraying Randolph …

Notes: Lo Duca sidelined again  —  Catcher expected to miss few days with right hand tendinitis  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — His Spring Training already reduced by suspected food poisoning last week, Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca is likely to miss a few more days because of tendinitis in his right hand.

Right-hander Mitre playing catch-up  —  · The shoulder trouble that torpedoed Sergio Mitre's 2006 season has him a few steps behind his fellow pitchers this spring.  —  His teammates are throwing live batting practice, but Mitre continues to pitch on the side to strengthen the shoulder.

FCC investigating MLB's proposed DirecTV deal  —  WASHINGTON — The government is investigating a proposed deal between Major League Baseball and DirecTV Inc. that has had fans in a tizzy.  —  MLB reportedly seeks to strike an exclusive deal with the satellite television provider to offer its "Extra Innings" baseball package.

Notes: Possible platoon not ideal  —  Outfield logjam may mean reduced playing time for some  —  PHOENIX — Geoff Jenkins is not the only Brewers outfielder who wants out if the team is planning a platoon.  —  Kevin Mench, who struggled mightily after a midseason trade from Texas to Milwaukee …

Learning curve  —  Pitcher Henry Owens put off his dream to attend medical school to pursue a career in baseball.  —  dneal@MiamiHerald.com  —  JUPITER - Most 27-year-olds aren't where they thought they would be 10 years ago.  —  In that regard, Marlins pitcher Henry Owens isn't much different from his peers.

Furcal to bat leadoff for Dodgers  —  With Pierre in the No. 2 spot, Little feels he has two players who can get things started in the first inning.  —  VERO BEACH, FLA. — From the comfort of a golf cart, Manager Grady Little led off an informal news conference Thursday by saying Rafael Furcal …

Pirates Notebook: Matos good bet to make team  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — It would appear that Luis Matos will have a hard time not making the Pirates' 25-man roster out of spring training.  —  Asked yesterday how Matos might fit in with the team's needs …

Piniella's pitch: Keep 'em fresh  —  Manager rarely lets starters go past 120  —  MESA, Ariz. — Manager Lou Piniella stressed Thursday that the Cubs will not overextend their starting pitchers this season and risk injury by letting them throw more than 120 pitches in games.

For peak performance, Reyes must aim low  —  JUPITER, FLA. — To be the pitcher the Cardinals think he can be and he knows he has to be, Anthony Reyes has embraced the power of the lower reaches of the strike zone.  —  He has accepted the two-seamer into his life.  —  If only his mechanics made his conversion easier.