Sources: Schoeneweis, Sosa being shopped  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. - Mets GM Omar Minaya has let teams know that relievers Scott Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa can be obtained in trades, according to sources briefed on the players' availability.  Schoeneweis has two years and $7.2 million left on his original three-year deal.

Notebook: Ponson reappears; reassignments loom  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals will lend former pitcher Sidney Ponson a place and a mound to throw for scouts Thursday at lunchtime.  —  Ponson, who made 13 starts for the Cardinals in 2006, is said to have slimmed down to 245 pounds and cranked up his fastball to 91 mph.

Papelbon sticking to his guns over contract  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jonathan Papelbon may be young, but he knows how the business of baseball works.  —  He knows that, with a little more than two years of major-league service time, he has no contractual leverage with the Red Sox.

Warm day in the sun for Giants' prospects  —  (03-03) 04:00 PST Mesa, Ariz. — The Joe Crede rumors have become such a fixture of the Giants' spring training, you expect him to stroll through the clubhouse at any moment, in search of his new uniform.  —  For the sake of the Giants' infield defense …

Live blogging the Yankees-Astros game  —  You're looking live at Osceoloa County Stadium in strip-mall strewn Kissimmee, Fla.  —  It'll be Mike Mussina against Wandy Rodriguez.  We're about to get underway.  I have some work to do but I'll throw in some updates from time to time.

Crosby pulled from lineup due to back spasms  —  TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby was dropped from the starting lineup for Monday's exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels due to back spasms.  —  Crosby, who missed the final two months of 2006 …

Cole Hamels is out of line  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Cry no tears for Cole Hamels.  —  This isn't Ryan Howard all over again.  —  Not even close.  —  Hamels is bent out of shape over having his contract renewed yesterday.  Howard was in a similar mood after having his deal renewed a year ago.

Roberts trade talks heat up  —  Orioles second baseman could go to Cubs with Payton  —  The Cubs and Orioles have resumed trade talks involving second baseman Brian Roberts, and one person familiar with the talks indicated discussions were starting to get serious.

Prospecting in Long Beach  —  The first two weekends of the college baseball season brought three-ranked teams into Long Beach to play the Dirtbags.  I was able to see a number of pro prospects, most of whom will be eligible for the draft this June.  —  The newly implemented uniform start date pushed …

Kenny Rogers gets by without curveballs while ‘frustrated’ Brandon Inge catches  —  WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Kenny Rogers is 43 years old.  He missed more than half of last season because of shoulder and elbow issues.  He has lost range and quickness.  His fastball has lost velocity throughout his career.