Pitching duo helps give Brewers depth  —  Jackson, Villanueva likely to start season in Nashville  —  PHOENIX — Last year at this time, Zach Jackson was a newcomer to the Brewers who quietly dressed at a corner locker.  Carlos Villanueva was entering his third season with the club …

Finally, Rockies' shelves appear filled to the brim  —  TUCSON - Two years ago, the Rockies were willing to slot in the inexperienced players from their farm system, willing to live with the mistakes as part of a long-range building plan.  —  This year, things are different.

Finally, peace ... La Russa, Rolen end their spat  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen have declared a cease fire.  —  The two shared a firm handshake and a brief but congenial exchange outside La Russa's office Thursday.

Here's a bombshell: Jeet-Rod drama not a Bronx issue  —  Miller: Five things to know  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Let me ask you something.  —  When Barry Bonds wrapped his hands around Jeff Kent's throat in the middle of that game in 2002 and was pulled away before he made like a crumpled Pepsi can with Kent …

On farm, O's batting crop lean … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // There are plenty of former position prospects here, guys like Jason Dubois and J.R. House, who are desperately trying to keep their major league dreams alive as players invited to spring training.  —  Orioles outfielders Val Majewski …

Notes: Comebacker fells Walker  —  Lefty suffers minor concussion after taking line drive off head  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The serene and carefree atmosphere of Spring Training was shattered in a moment Friday, when Baltimore reliever Jamie Walker was hit in the back of his head by a line drive.

Mets Bench Coach Prefers Being Heard and Not Seen  —  Jerry Manuel sat in his hotel room in Dearborn, Mich., early in the 2000 season watching his Chicago White Sox eke out a tense victory against the Detroit Tigers when he started planning a welcome back party.

O's radio policy rebuffs former flagship WBAL … It's a staple of sports talk radio — a club official comes on the air, and fans get to call in and ask questions.  —  But, as WBAL (1090 AM) host Steve Davis has learned this week, it's not working that way with the Orioles since spring training has begun.

Sabean is on the hot seat  —  Giants boss Magowan says status of the GM's expiring contract will not be addressed until later in the season  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - If there is such a thing as an empty vote of confidence, Giants general manager Brian Sabean has it.

Clement aiming to pitch this season  —  Right-hander was 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA and 43 strikeouts in '06  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Red Sox right-hander Matt Clement lost his durability last summer, he almost felt as if his identity went with it.  —  "I think over time the one thing I took …

Legal troubles remain an issue for White Sox's Uribe  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Conflicting reports emerged Friday about the status of Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe's legal troubles.  —  Uribe is alleged to have shot a farmer in his native Dominican Republic during the offseason.

Hard-charging Giles brothers reunited on hometown Padres  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) - Brian Giles never gave it a second thought, even though that was his little brother Marcus covering second base for the Atlanta Braves.  —  With runners on first and third and one out, Brian slammed into Marcus and knocked him head-over-heels.

Is recruiting his new pitch?  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The news that Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, frustrated by years of losing in Seattle, may explore free agency after the season has not been lost on Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  Matsuzaka was asked about Ichiro leaving Seattle …

Five National League Bullpens in Flux  —  In writing a series of team previews for Beyond the Boxscore, I've discovered that forecasting bullpens in February is fraught with difficulty.  I suppose that's obvious, but as I've tried to project the relief performance of teams like the Mariners …

Notes: Leyland, Perez see eye to eye  —  Utility infielder doesn't take offense to manager's statement  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Neifi Perez understands how Jim Leyland feels.  —  One of the Tigers' late-season acquisitions became one of Leyland's quotes of the offseason last month when the manager …

Johnny calls Red Sox idiots for being cheap  —  TAMPA - A little more than a year after the Red Sox allowed Johnny Damon to bolt Boston for New York for a paltry - by baseball standards, anyway - $12 million, the question remains: Why did Boston allow the heart of its team to leave for its biggest rival?