Johnson`borderline' to start the season  —  · Unless Josh Johnson starts feeling better immediately and for the rest of spring training, the Marlins will open the season without him in the rotation.  —  Saturday, Johnson felt enough soreness in the inside of his forearm to bag a scheduled throwing session.

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 …

Sunday's spring training report  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  Fair or foul  —  Stats (Foul): Manager Ron Washington dismissed trying to rank fielders.  "For me, defense is done on the field, not on paper," he said.  —  Cruzing (Down the line): He's seen nothing besides batting practice fastballs …

Q&A transcript  —  Greg Genske, one of Manny Ramirez's agents, met with reporters after Manny reported this morning.  Here's a transcript (with some comments from Gene Matos, Manny's other agent, further below):  —  Why is Manny here today?  —  "He was ready to report, and he's excited to be here."

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.

Mets promote Pelfrey ability  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - You go from one side of the state to the other, from the Yankees to the Mets, and after watching Phil Hughes wow onlookers in Tampa, it felt important to see Mike Pelfrey as soon as possible.  —  It's the year of the phenoms, after all.

Lineup protection is up for debate  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Welcome to the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' batting order, the latest battleground in baseball's ongoing struggle between traditionalists and statistical reformers.  —  Phillies general manager Pat Gillick, representing the old school …

Peterson's pitch: Show & talk  —  Coach helps hurlers grow with unorthodox communication method  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As the Mets prepare to begin their auditions for the rotation and bullpen, a few of them might want to stop off at Blockbuster so they can get a better idea of what pitching coach Rick Peterson is talking about.

Mets Try to Avoid Rushing Pitching Talent  —  Of the nine Mets pitchers in the mix for three starting spots, Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey clearly have the most potential.  They are tall, polished right-handers from strong college programs and are projected to be frontline starters.

Mariners Notebook: Mariners look to lock up Lopez  —  All-Star 2B made just above league minimum last season  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners are trying to sign second baseman Jose Lopez to a long-term contract extension.  —  Lopez's agent, Martin Arburua, is in Peoria and meeting with Mariners officials.

The $103,000,000 mechanics of Daisuke Matsuzaka  —  I will let the smarter folks here at THT get into statistical projections of Daisuke Matsuzaka.  Instead, I would like to focus on Matsuzaka's mechanics from a scout's point of view.  —  Specifically, I'd like to address the mechanical issues …

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 …

Kansas City Royals  —  Right-hander Joakim Soria, acquired in the Rule 5 draft, sparkled Sunday in his session of throwing live batting practice.  —  "He was just painting the corners — for fun," veteran DH Mike Sweeney said.  "When he finished, (Class AAA Omaha pitching coach) Tom Burgmeier just said, 'Picasso.' "

Let the games begin, at least in intrasquad  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Jorge Sosa, Jason Vargas, Pedro Feliciano, Ambiorix Burgos, Joe Smith and Willie Collazo are among the pitchers scheduled to take the mound today in the first of two intrasquad games as the Mets ratchet up their preparation for Wednesday's Grapefruit League opener.

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 …

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 …