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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Colon progressing slowly from shoulder injury  —  Bartolo Colon's rehabilitation from a rotator-cuff tear is on schedule, but that schedule likely won't allow him to pitch in a major league game until May.  —  Manger Mike Scioscia said Sunday that Colon was "unlikely" to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring.

Prospect Smackdown: Cameron Maybin Vs. Jay Bruce  —  Prospect Smackdown: Cameron Maybin vs. Jay Bruce  —  Background and Intangibles  —  Maybin: Maybin was the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, picked out of high school in Asheville, North Carolina by the Tigers.

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.

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.

Spring Training Preview: AL West  —  Smarter Than YouFeb 25th, 2007 - 19:51:25  —  'because the strength of the team in years past - its pitching staff - has some huge question marks surrounding it.  You are out of your mind.  The Angels have arguably the best staff in the AL.

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 …

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.' "

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 …