Rivera, Free Agent to Be, Closes Door on Boston  —  Mariano Rivera, the Yankees' closer, smiled while he was told some of the recent developments regarding the Boston Red Sox.  Curt Schilling will become a free agent after the season.  Manny Ramírez is not yet in camp.

For Red Sox, Manny is a keeper  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Notes from spring training:  — The Rockies would listen if the Red Sox wanted to revive Manny Ramirez-for-Todd Helton discussions, but such a move would make little sense for the Sox unless they absolutely, positively decided that they no longer could tolerate Ramirez.

Spring Training: McCutchen on fast track  —  Premier prospect could reach Pirates by season's end  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — A point guard in basketball is a better player when his forwards finish plays near the hoop.

Pavano hit on foot by batted ball  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Carl Pavano's 13th pitch in batting practice was an unlucky one.  —  The New York Yankees pitcher was hit on the bottom of his left foot by a liner off the bat of infielder Alberto Gonzalez during his second BP session on Saturday.

New Baseball Statistic, With a Nod to an Old Standard  —  As newfangled baseball statistics go, on-base plus slugging percentage, or O.P.S., has become mainstream.  Stadium scoreboards display it right alongside batting average.  It has even appeared on the backs of Topps baseball cards.

Now at Camp, a Tantalizing Hint of the Future  —  Out beyond the right-center-field fence of Field No. 4, past a concrete path, a gully and a golf cart, stands a maintenance shack.  It is about 430 feet from home plate, which on Saturday morning put the workers in the area within range …

Brewers' expectations up with payroll  —  Owner Attanasio optimistic as deeper roster prepares for 2007  —  PHOENIX — The Brewers' principal owner dropped in at Maryvale Baseball Park on Saturday, when the full squad formally kicked off a season of higher expectations.

Texas closer to signing Young long term  —  Rangers hope to complete five-year deal for All-Star shortstop  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have made significant progress toward signing shortstop Michael Young to a five-year contract extension that would ensure that he stays with the team through the 2013 season.

Ethier admits he played hurt last year  —  Outfielder's slump coincided with shoulder injury in August  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — So it turns out Andre Ethier wasn't merely fatigued and distraught when he hit the wall and disappeared from the Dodgers' lineup late last season.  —  It turns out he was hurt.

Playing percentages agrees with Piniella  —  Lou Piniella will manage with his gut on occasion, but mostly he will play the percentages when it comes to matchups.  —  "I believe in numbers," Piniella said.  "Baseball is a strict percentage game.  That's why they keep [statistics]. ...

Rockies sign Steve Finley to minor league contract  —  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies signed veteran outfielder Steve Finley to a minor league contract on Saturday.  —  Finely is a non-roster invitee at the club's spring training camp.  —  Finley, who turns 42 next month, has played 18 Major League seasons.

Wainwright homes in on starting spot  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Away from the mound, in a steady stream of interviews, righthander Adam Wainwright is following the lead of Cardinals coaches and talking about the competition he's in for a spot in the starting rotation.  —  On the mound, his answer is more direct.

Matsuzaka impresses teammates, coaches in BP  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Photographers jammed the left-field line from home plate to third base.  Daisuke Matsuzaka threw the first pitch of his first batting practice.  Then he threw 43 more — fastballs, curves, sliders and changeups.

Ozzie: It's start or be sent down for Anderson, Sweeney, Owens  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — On the plane ride to Arizona less than two weeks ago, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and bench coach Joey Cora played with different lineup scenarios.  —  And while there has been plenty of talk about all the young …

Sammy dodges the steroids issue with a Texas two-step  —  It must have been difficult for Sammy Sosa to decide between giving baseball another try or following Emmitt Smith to fame in Dancing with the Stars.  —  My suggestion: He's better off sticking with baseball.