Pirates found it hard to connect  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Struggle?  Did someone say something about Daisuke Matsuzaka struggling?  —  "If that's struggling," manager Terry Francona said yesterday after Matsuzaka's best showing yet, "we're in for some fun."

Lieber might start season in Phillies' bullpen  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ending weeks of speculation, Jon Lieber was told on Wednesday that he's going to the bullpen because the Philadelphia Phillies have six starters.  —  "I'm disappointed," Lieber said Wednesday.  "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.

Vegas, Baby, Vegas  —  There's nothing like a long weekend in Vegas to recharge the batteries before the season starts.  From a couple Cirque du Soleil shows to one of the best fights I've ever seen, it was a four day vacation that Barney Stinson would describe as an "awesomefest."

Notes: Nats make roster changes  —  Club adds Fick, Belliard to 40-man roster, cuts three others  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Nationals trimmed their roster to 38 players and added to two others to their 40-man roster on Wednesday night.  —  Washington purchased the contracts of infielders Ronnie Belliard …

Cashman: Yankees won't sweeten pot to retain A-Rod  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees don't intend to offer Alex Rodriguez a contract extension, leaving him the option of opting out of his deal after the season and becoming a free agent.  —  "Alex has a significant contract.

Tuesday's spring training report  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  Rangers 4, Giants 3  —  Nelson Cruz hit two home runs and Matt Kata delivered a big RBI single as the Rangers held on for the win.  Frank Francisco got the win after pitching two scoreless innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

Better glove earns Cedeno roster spot  —  Shortstop's work with Trammell clicks  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ronny Cedeno struggled last year after being handed the starting shortstop job in the off-season and was considered a long shot to make the team when camp opened in mid-February.

Mariners, FSN near 10-year deal  —  Extension of TV rights worth $300M to team  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — The Mariners and cable TV partner Fox Sports Northwest are nearing agreement on a 10-year extension of their current agreement, through 2020, that would bring the baseball club more than $300 million …

NCAA Basketball Scouting Reports  —  Gary Sheffield assumes his familiar bowlegged batting stance, his eyes focused slits, his bat cocked and waggling by his right ear, ready to annihilate anything thrown his way.  He holds the pose for 60 seconds.  Then he slowly uncoils …

Baseball not just about haves and have-nots  —  Hope.  —  Not so long ago, commissioner Bud Selig dwelled on that word when talking about Major League Baseball's need for greater competitive balance.  —  Speaking for Kansas City, Cincinnati, and of course his beloved Milwaukee …

Royals tab Gordon as third baseman  —  Bell informs rookie of decision before Wednesday's game  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — It was not really a surprise from Surprise, but the Royals made it official on Wednesday that Alex Gordon would be their starting third baseman when the season opens.

Is Small Step for Johnson a Leap for Nats?  —  At 12:55 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium was empty, a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves still more than six hours off.  But down the right field line at the barren ballpark, two figures emerged …