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.

Deal for Rangers' Young in works  —  'Two or three major issues' delay contract completion, agent says  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers continue to plug along on a contract extension with shortstop Michael Young that could make him the franchise's landmark player.

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.

Interpreters in Baseball Making Sure Nothing Is Lost in Translation  —  Six Yankees jogged across a practice field here, along a path lined with excited fans, toward the bullpen of an adjacent field.  The fans recognized and shouted to Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte …

A Whole New Ballgame for Blomberg  —  Starting a new career is difficult enough, but doing it without the staples of one's life?  That may be asking too much.  —  "They have to have pastrami, corned beef and brisket," Ron Blomberg said.  "A guy I talked to said they don't have it over there.

Bonds has advice for Giants' reliable new leadoff man  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Dave Roberts knelt beside Barry Bonds on the first day of spring training hoping to strike up a conversation with the slugger.  Bonds spoke first with one message: Be aggressive and run.

Who's on first: Donnie or Keith?  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The debate has lingered for over 20 years in greater New York, delightfully unresolved in chat rooms, message boards and, of course, our memory banks.  Just who was the area's best first baseman of the 1980s, Keith Hernandez or Don Mattingly?

For Nationals' Fick, Life Is Bigger Than Baseball  —  Each morning when Robert Fick walks into the clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium — shades covering his eyes, hat cocked a bit sideways on his head, Starbucks in his hand — the rest of the Washington Nationals brace for whatever might follow.

Westbrook gives Tribe a chance  —  Consistency is strength as pitcher enters talks in his free-agent year  —  WINTER HAVEN, FLA. - Can the Indians sign Jake Westbrook?  —  If they do, it will be the first significant player in a long time who entered his free-agent year to sign with the Tribe — and stay in Cleveland.

Mussina wise man to younger starters  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Mike Mussina doesn't quite have his own office at Legends Field, but his locker is wedged so deep into a corner that he is almost hidden from view.  —  "Nobody can find me that way," he said with a smile before the Yankees worked out yesterday.

Around the Grapefruit League  —  Florida Marlins: The Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.  —  Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September.

Hawpe's hope: Prove he can hit lefties  —  Outfielder could approach all-star status with rounded game  —  Tucson - Of all the reasons why the Rockies believe their offense will go from acoustic to electric, the most obvious to the naked eye is Brad Hawpe.

The dust settles  —  With the circus out of town, Sammy gets to work finding his rhythm in the batter's box  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — On Day 2 of his return to the Rangers, Sammy Sosa did not need a police escort — but he got one anyway.  —  The carnival atmosphere surrounding Sosa's arrival Friday …