Papelbon gets $775k from Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jonathan Papelbon was going to be the Red Sox closer this season; there was no doubt about that.  The only question, really, was how much he would be paid.  Would the sides hammer out a multiyear deal?  Would Papelbon be renewed at a number set by the club?

Giants' Lowry needs surgery  —  (03-07) 04:00 PST Tempe, Ariz. — Manager Bruce Bochy tried to put the best face on Thursday's news that Noah Lowry will undergo surgery on his throwing arm today.  Bochy termed the procedure minor, said Lowry might begin throwing “in two, maybe three weeks” and could return to the mound in late April.

Orioles' Patton headed for surgery; out until '09  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Troy Patton will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, delaying the left-hander's debut with the Baltimore Orioles until at least 2009.  —  Obtained in the December trade that sent Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros …

Baseball Taps Wisdom of Fans  —  If you've ever dreamed of being a Major League Baseball scout, your day has come.  —  Last month, the St. Louis Cardinals announced a novel contest: Fans are invited to submit scouting reports on promising college ballplayers.

All-you-can-eat seats for 2008  —  At least thirteen of Major League Baseball's 30 teams are offering all-you-can-eat seats for all or part of the 2008 season.  —  Ticket prices for these seats range from $30 at the low end with the Atlanta Braves to $200 at the high end with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hillman delivers on-field lecture to players over sloppy base-running despite victory  —  It didn't matter Thursday that Ryan Shealy had just hit a game-ending homer for a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Surprise Stadium.  Or that the Royals had just won their fourth game in a row.

Gushing water  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — It looks like there might be a slight delay at the start of today's game.  The field has seemed to have sprung a leak.  All of a sudden water started bubbling up behind the pitcher's mound, creating a pooling of water.  The players all seemed a bit confused.

Chamberlain holds a starting gun  —  The New York Yankees' 2007 playoff run had barely ended when Hank Steinbrenner declared that hard-throwing rookie right-hander Joba Chamberlain would be installed in the Yankees starting rotation for 2008.  As spring training approached, however …

KYLE'S BILE  —  FARNSWORTH BLAMES TORRE FOR STRUGGLES  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - Joe Torre's lack of confidence and poor communication skills led to Kyle Farnsworth's two years in The Bronx being ugly.  —  At least that's how Farnsworth sees it.  Not his inability to locate fastballs.

Why Do Players Take Human Growth Hormone If It Doesn't Work?  —  I hear this question quite a bit when I point out that growth hormone does not improve athletic performance.  One plausible explation is that players are not well informed on the subject, given that most of their information comes …

Notes: Patterson happy and relaxed  —  Right-hander healthy for first time since 2005  —  VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander John Patterson was scheduled to pitch against the Mets on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium, but the game was canceled because of rain.

A-Rod to DH due to sore shoulder  —  Yankees third baseman skips throwing session  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a sore right shoulder and is scheduled to be the designated hitter in Friday's game against Houston.  —  Rodriguez said he felt discomfort Thursday …

Spring training Game 7: Astros at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching  —  Andy Pettitte (2-3 innings, 40 pitches)  —  ASTROS  —  Pitching  —  Notes: Mike Mussina will start tomorrow against the Leave Out The Devil Rays.  Jefff Kartstens will follow along with Kyle Farnsworth, Jon Albaladejo and Ross Ohlendorf. ...

Pedro throws 53-pitch simulation  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — After having his spring debut washed out the night before in Viera, Pedro Martinez threw a 53-pitch simulated game here this morning.  —  Pedro pronounced himself pleased after the roughly half-hour session, which had him facing Damion Easley …