Papelbon takes closing argument  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Case closed.  The Red Sox have a closer, and if Jonathan Papelbon has his way, he'll be making last call for at least the next 10 years.  —  According to the principals, the Red Sox determined that closing no longer posed the same medical risk …

Notes: Williams helps his cause  —  Righty nears solid rotation spot with another impressive outing  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Right-hander Jerome Williams inched closer to joining the Nationals' starting rotation on Thursday.  Williams had his second consecutive solid outing …

Thursday's spring training report  —  Rangers vs. LA Angels, canceled  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  A pair of heavy rainstorms hit the greater Tempe metropolitan area and forced the cancellation of the game at Diablo Stadium after a 51-minute rain delay and an abortive attempt at a restart.

Mirror Mirror  —  The death of former commissioner Bowie Kuhn caused a lot of reflection in baseball circles about his contributions (or lack thereof) to the sport.  Kuhn will always be linked in the minds of many to his foil—Marvin Miller, former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Mariners Notebook: Good session for relievers  —  Rhodes further along than Putz in nursing sore elbow  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — There was a little unexpected pain when ailing relievers J.J. Putz and Arthur Rhodes threw on flat ground Wednesday morning.  —  The pair threw from distances up to 125 feet …

Questions remain about fourth starter  —  Left-hander Rodriguez has edge over Sampson, Moehler  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — To the critics who wonder why manager Phil Garner is still giving Wandy Rodriguez that "leg up" for the No. 4 starter job, even though the left-hander has had less than a stellar spring …

Erstad teaching — and winning  —  Veteran lending hand to Anderson despite battle for CF job  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Darin Erstad and Brian Anderson don't talk about ''the situation.''  —  Why should they?  —  ''Things work out the way they work out'' is Erstad's philosophy.

Mets Have More Very Young Phenoms  —  Last year, the Mets were aggressive and sent not one but two 17-year-old prospects to make their pro debuts at low Class A Hagerstown.  Outfielder Fernando Martinez and righthander Deolis Guerra didn't just survive-they thrived.

Five Questions: Colorado Rockies  —  1. Are the Rockies rebuilding yet again?  —  How many rebuilding plans have the Rockies had?  Too many to count, for sure, at least not without upsetting every baseball fan in the state of Colorado.  And it seems like yet again, the Rockies have decided to wait 'til next year.

5th Spot Down To Howell, Jackson  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The competition for the fifth starter's job is down to RHP Edwin Jackson and LHP J.P. Howell, and the two will make their closing arguments the next two days.  —  The Rays bumped tonight's scheduled starter against the Reds, LHP Scott Kazmir …

'October' finds comedy in Cubs' futility  —  The docu-comedy "Chasing October" is a timeless proposition.  Being a Cubs fan goes beyond October, November and into a burden that becomes Wrigley gum on life's shoe.  —  Inspired by a ghostly visit from Harry Caray, filmmaker Matt Liston set …

Figgins out with fractured finger  —  Third baseman hopes to be ready Opening Day  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Angels third baseman Chone Figgins has a fracture near the tip of his right middle finger and will be examined on Friday in Los Angeles at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic by Dr. Steve Shin, an orthopedic hand specialist.

La Russa arrested for DUI  —  Jupiter police: Cards manager was cooperative  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested early Thursday morning for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor in the state of Florida.