Marlins' Lindstrom a man on a mission  —  JUPITER — Think you don't like it when religious folks come knocking on your door?  Try having door after door slammed in your face.  That's the reception Matt Lindstrom often got after he put his baseball career on hold to serve as a Mormon missionary in Sweden.

Slow starters may get minor-league at-bats  —  MESA, Ariz. — Some of the Cubs' key players could be going to the minors by the end of spring training if new manager Lou Piniella has his way.  —  Piniella plans to talk to his regulars to find out how many at-bats they feel they need …

Tiant isn't expecting call  —  Veterans vote due tomorrow  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Luis Tiant is not optimistic about his chances when the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee announces the results of its voting tomorrow.  —  Tiant is among those on a ballot of 27 former major league players nominated …

Future Mets outfielders show promise  —  Prospect Martinez displays extraordinary power at young age  —  Hot topic: He is listed at 6 feet and 180 pounds.  The height may be a bit generous.  When Fernando Martinez swings, though, he looks significantly taller.

Rays veterans want to see those game faces … ST. PETERSBURG - Manager Joe Maddon was not the only one bothered by the lack of professionalism in the Devil Rays clubhouse last season.  —  Several veteran Rays said Sunday the problem was widespread, most evident in terms of poor pregame preparation …

Phils learn of life sans cheesesteaks  —  A dietitian puts better fare in the clubhouse.  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - To help the Phillies reach their first postseason since 1993, Pat Gillick hopes to leave no stone unturned.  —  And fewer doughnuts eaten.  —  In the off-season …

Arms race puts Bernie out in cold  —  TAMPA - For what it's worth to Bernie Williams, it wasn't only his advanced age, diminished skills and the desire on the Yankees' part to make Jason Giambi a full-time DH that squeezed him off the roster and into likely retirement.

Wallace Matthews  —  Modest Omar in spotlight  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets may not have gotten as far as they wanted to last year, but at least their general manager has arrived.  —  Omar Minaya had an appointment with Gary Smith last night.  More accurately, the famously painstaking …

Donnelly's deliveries can be biting  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — He's got a World Series ring.  He was the winning pitcher of the 2003 All-Star Game.  His lifetime big league record is 23-8 with a 2.87 ERA.  Major league batters have hit only .219 against him.

Clement Will Start Throwing Next Week  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox begin their exhibition season in a matter of days, but the player most excited to turn the calendar to March isn't going to be playing any time soon.  —  Matt Clement will be happy just to toss a ball, perhaps as early as next week.

Live, from Fort Myers, it's Dice-K  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — One of the great things about the pre- game phase of spring training is "live batting practice."  It's when hitters step into the batting cage and try to hit real big league pitching.  The hurlers give them the courtesy of telling …