Mets will play it safe with Heilman  —  MIAMI - The Mets say they will walk a fine line of being cautious with Aaron Heilman's surgically repaired right elbow, but not overly protective.  —  Heilman underwent surgery last winter and was shut down a week in spring training with a mild case of tendinitis.

Nationals Go 13 Innings, Win on Lopez's Fly Ball  —  If there is a game going late, and the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals are on the schedule, chances are they are the teams left on the field, long after the children are in bed, the stands have emptied, the local news has started.

Quick Work Left In Wake  —  Finally, Some Runs For Knuckleballer  —  TORONTO — If baseball truly wants to shorten the length of games, it should just arrange for Tim Wakefield to pitch all of them.  —  Wakefield has long been the master of the sub-three hour game.

Gonzalez to have MRI on elbow  —  Left-handed reliever is feeling soreness, will sit out Thursday  —  ATLANTA — As he struggled through his first few Spring Training outings, Braves left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez indicated he was healthy.  But just two weeks into the season …

A 7-2 victory for Rockies overshadows loss of RHP Lopez  —  Lopez is out, but Rockies savor win against Dodgers  —  Box score  —  Tempered by the loss of right-handed starter Rodrigo Lopez for at least a couple of weeks, the Rockies still got some satisfaction out of their 7-2 victory against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Who's Picking Up the Tab When it Comes to Player Salary?  —  With baseball awash in cash, the stakes have never been higher for general managers.  The game is "enjoying a golden age of fan support and excitement," as Commissioner Bud Selig is fond of saying.

Analysis: Why are Brewers outspending Pirates?  —  Despite similar markets, situations, Milwaukee's payroll $20 million higher  —  MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers, based in the National League's smallest market and a region two-thirds the size of Pittsburgh's, will outspend the Pirates …

Howard might need MRI on sore leg  —  First baseman pulls up lame running bases, but stays in game  —  WASHINGTON — The postgame limp paled in comparison to the pained look on Ryan Howard's face as the injured first baseman tried to block out the agony.  —  Howard stood, then dragged …

Kendrick goes on disabled list  —  Broken bone in his left hand will sideline the second baseman a month to six weeks.  —  OAKLAND — A team starved for offense lost another of its top hitters Wednesday when second baseman Howie Kendrick, who was batting .327, went on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken bone in his left hand.

Carpenter will resume his efforts to rehab  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will resume an exercise and throwing program today as a hoped-for first step toward returning to the mound next month.  —  Carpenter, on the disabled list retroactive to April 2 due to persistent swelling …

Piniella may hunger for 12th pitcher  —  Lou Piniella debated all spring about whether to start the season with 11 or 12 pitchers.  —  The Cubs finally settled on 12, but with Angel Guzman sent to Triple-A Iowa to be converted back into a starter, how long can Piniella go with an 11-man staff?