De Aza earns shot in center  —  FORT MYERS — When bench coach Carlos Tosca writes the lineup card every day, he uses black ink for right-handed hitters, blue for switch-hitters and red for left-handers.  —  Alejandro De Aza saw his name in red, and the rookie outfielder had his own explanation: "I'm on fire.''

Prognosis on Wood not good  —  Often-injured Cub hurt again, could be put on disabled list  —  MESA, Ariz. — Kerry Wood's chances to open the season on the Cubs' active roster likely ended Sunday when the injury-plagued right-handed pitcher suffered another setback.

Oops!  Maybe Sox got it right  —  Getting Danks for McCarthy might make GM look good  —  Scouts don't write glowing reports on pitchers because of their pickoff moves.  Teams certainly don't hand out super-sized bonuses because of them.  —  Even the best prospects often have to work on the little things.

Simontacchi, Logan likely to go on DL  —  Pitcher, center fielder expected to miss early part of season  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Both right-hander Jason Simontacchi and center fielder Nook Logan are expected to miss the start of the season because of right groin injuries.

Pelfrey locks up fifth spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The identity of the Mets' fifth starter was not much of a mystery by the time Mike Pelfrey threw his opening pitch in yesterday's start against the Astros at Tradition Field.  —  As long as the 6-7 Pelfrey walked off the mound under his own power …

Pirates Notebook: McCutchen upbeat despite demotion to Class AA  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen walked out of the Pirates' clubhouse yesterday morning with a wide smile.  —  Probably because, even though he finally was assigned …

Notes: Brewers relievers deliver  —  Villanueva pitching well in various roles this spring  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Finally, some relief.  Brewers manager Ned Yost delivered a message to his relievers on Saturday that it's time to see some results, and on Sunday, he got what he was looking for.

Hot springs can turn cold in a hurry  —  Arizona averages can be deceiving for Cubs  —  MESA, Ariz. — Carrying over a hot spring into the regular season would seem like a relatively easy transition, but the Cubs know it's easier said than done.  —  Nomar Garciaparra tore up the Cactus League in 2005 …

Five Questions: Atlanta Braves  —  We all know the story: for the first time since 1991 the Braves failed to win their division.  Shocking, wouldn't you say?  Or perhaps not?  —  By thinking back to some of the events in 1990 we can put the Braves' achievements into perspective.

Famous guest blogs in  —  Given 'invite,' Schilling issues direct answers  —  Curt Schilling isn't one to sit on an opportunity to get an unfiltered message to the fans.  (FILE/BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Getting a little tired and bored here in the final week …

Clubhouse chemistry winning formula?  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - "Hey Greg, I've got one for you," Brian Giles said to new Padres teammate Greg Maddux last month.  —  "Why was the mathematics book depressed?"  Giles said.  —  After the 333-game winner pondered the question for a few seconds, Giles slowly delivered the punch line.

Why don't the Yankees win titles anymore?  —  Though they're supposedly baseball's neighborhood bully, the New York Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000.  —  Yes, the Yanks always grab the column inches/bandwidth for being perennial free-spending contenders, but they haven't laid hands on a trophy in almost seven years.

Interview with Bill James  —  Former independent writer turned revolutionary Bill James, who is now a part of the Boston Red Sox Front Office, was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.  Bill and I discuss Mark McGwire, his own potential website, parody in sports, and more.