Slugger vows defense won't take a Holliday  —  Tucson - As Rockies position players arrive for physicals today, left fielder Matt Holliday discussed the health of his defense.  —  Holliday, an all-star and a Silver Slugger, knows he must get better.  His glove caught plenty of flak last season …

Ace's breaking pitch appears to be outside  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Another bizarro day at the Red Sox spring training site.  —  At 7:30 a.m., Curt Schilling went on his user-friendly radio program to announce that contract extension talks had broken off and he'll be a free agent after the season.

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.

Yankees' Young Pitchers Draw Rave Reviews  —  There were cheers for the past at Legends Field on Thursday when fans saluted Andy Pettitte.  There was the intrigue of the unknown, when Kei Igawa took the mound.  But mostly, there was the promise of youth.  —  The Yankees' five regular …

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.

Nats' Cordero Takes Everything in Stride  —  The newest millionaire in the Washington Nationals' clubhouse was, prior to his arbitration hearing earlier this week, offered a two-year contract.  He declined.  —  "I don't know why I didn't do it," Chad Cordero said Thursday.  "I wanted to."

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 …

Mariners Notebook: Book tells tale of Ichiro's plate production over six years  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — There is a book on Ichiro Suzuki, just like every player in baseball.  —  Most books tell a pitcher how to get a hitter out.  This book doesn't do that.  —  His agent, Tony Attanasio, put this book together.

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.

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 …

Safeco Field offers a semi-suite alternative  —  Bob Aylward sounded a little crazy.  —  "Some people looked at you and said, you want to do what?" he said.  "There were some questions."  —  What the Mariners vice president of business operations wanted to do was destroy eight …

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 …

Myers fires next derogatory shot at Mets  —  Phillies notebook  —  CLEARWATER, Fla — This is starting to get just a bit silly, or as the New York Daily News put it, "Sillie Phillie."  In volley five of the give-and-take between the New York Mets and Phillies, the Mets' reaction was characterized as …

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.

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 …

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.