Pavano likely to go Opening Day  —  With Wang on DL, door opens for maligned right-hander  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees learned Saturday that their Opening Day starter won't be Chien-Ming Wang, who will miss most of the season's first month with a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring.

Francis in April form  —  Catch the daily spring training roundup each afternoon from Rockies beat writers Troy E. Renck and Patrick Saunders in Tucson.  You'll find insider information on players and what the team is working on as it gets ready for the 2007 season.  Check every afternoon for the Rockies Rundown.

Patterson 'kind of passed out' during warmups  —  VIERA, Fla. (AP) - Nook Logan's injury was there for everyone in the sellout crowd to see Saturday: The Washington Nationals' starting center fielder crumpled to the dirt after straining his right groin while running the basepaths in the ninth inning.

Smith, Sele to join Park in bullpen  —  Korean righty would rather start; Pelfrey likely No. 5 starter  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets' 2007 bullpen, likely to be a state of flux into the summer, on Saturday appears to have a semblance of definition for the first time.

Pirates Notebook: Demotion has Burnett 'furious'  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The final makeups of the Pirates' and Class AAA Indianapolis' starting rotations became much clearer yesterday, and Sean Burnett was none too happy to learn he'll be a member of the latter.

Working Overtime  —  Extra Duties Have Varitek Struggling At Plate  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — He is one of the most prepared catchers in baseball.  Jason Varitek will spend hours poring over the stats of opposing hitters as he puts together the next day's pitching game plan.

Former baseball pro Bailey dies at 75  —  Congressional aide, city councilman diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago  —  Ed Bailey, former professional baseball catcher and a Knoxville City Council member for 12 years, died at 10 p.m. Friday at Parkwest Medical Center.  He was 75.

Best-case scenario in NY?  —  Yankees believe they are the team to beat  —  What Johnny Damon told the New York Post last week — "We're the best team" — is no different from what he said after the Tigers eliminated the Yankees in four games in the American League Division Series: "The best teams don't always win."

Zumaya more than just a flame-thrower  —  Right-hander adding offspeed pitches to repertoire  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Joel Zumaya made headlines last Monday by hitting 103 mph on the new Joker Marchant Stadium radar gun, and he's not ashamed to admit it's fun to do.

Q&A with Jim Duquette  —  After working in the New York Mets front office for 14 years, Jim Duquette, 40, was named the Orioles' vice president for baseball operations on Oct. 20, 2005.  A two-time All-New England selection as an outfielder at Williams College in Massachusetts …

Conversation with Crisp goes far afield  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp was asked yesterday how he felt after playing for the first time since March 14.  Crisp talked about shopping.  —  "I went to the mall last night," Crisp said, "and I bought a couple of hats.

Casanova delivers tie for Rays  —  Jackson yields just one run and five hits over 4 2/3 innings  —  RED SOX 1, DEVIL RAYS 1 in 10 innings  —  Red Sox at the plate: Manny Ramirez's run-scoring double off Rays reliever Chad Orvella in the fifth inning scored Coco Crisp for Boston's lone run of the game.

Confidence biggest key to success  —  Tampa, Fla. - Ben Davis is straight out of central casting.  A hulking figure with tattoos and a snarl smile ideally suited for a catcher.  He strolls over to Yankees star Derek Jeter's locker to show off scissor work from a local barbershop.

Wright handed the fifth spot  —  Beats out Loe and Chen as final starter in the rotation  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers fifth starter derby is coming to a close.  —  The job is going to Jamey Wright.  The Rangers just like his stuff and ability too much to risk losing him.

2004 repeat?  Roger that  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In 2007, The Perfect Plan goes something like this: Move Jonathan Papelbon [stats] back to closer.  (Check.)  Add Roger Clemens to the rotation at midseason.  Rumble to a second world title in the last four years.