Beckett pessimistic about back  —  Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who spent the morning undergoing treatment for a strained lower back muscle, was considerably more pessimistic about his condition today than he was yesterday.  He said he had difficulty sleeping last night because of the back …

Yankees' Girardi still taking collision hard  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Shelley Duncan, all 6-5 and 225 pounds of him, was tearing around third base yesterday, trying to score on a double to left-centerfield by Morgan Ensberg.  There was no throw and no play at the plate, but Duncan still slid …

Year One A.B.  —  Giants will have more fun, fewer runs without Bonds  —  Also in this column:  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Things are quiet around the Giants now.  It's the quiet after Barry Bonds.  —  The clubhouse is more spacious and relaxed without the security detail …

Felix Pie could miss five days  —  Cubs center fielder Felix Pie was scratched from the lineup today and could miss five days because of a recurrence of the “testicular torsion” that cost him a day of workouts early in camp.  —  He was to undergo an outpatient surgical procedure today …

Dodgers' Park throws three perfect innings  —  Park strengthens his bid for the fifth spot in the rotation.  He has allowed two hits and no runs in seven innings this spring.  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Chan Ho Park continued to make a strong case for the final spot in the Dodgers rotation today …

Stadium game likely for Bronx Blueshirts  —  The House that Ruth Built is on track to be the house the Rangers bring down.  —  As the current Rangers continue to drive down the stretch of this season, what is shaping up as a historic 2008-09 schedule now is expected to include a game at Yankee Stadium.

Cha-Ching!  Selig Gets 4% Raise.  Made $15.06M Last Year  —  While player salaries haven't kept pace with the skyrocketing growth of revenues in MLB, one player off-the-field is certainly cashing in.  After receiving an extension (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=1846 Itemid=42) …

Dude, I am your father  —  Dusty Baker  —  Evil Incarnate  —  The destruction is almost complete.  —  As I have taken control of the Cincinnati Reds this spring, I will graciously lend my knowledge to them.  They shall soon see the way to power.  They will learn that anger, not patience, is the way to dominance.

VET PRANKSTERS HIT ROOKIE HARD  —  The clubhouse pranks for the Yankees have picked up this spring, and last year's No. 1 pick Andrew Brackman, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, has been hit hard.  He walked to his locker yesterday morning to find that all of his sliders, his baseball underwear, had been slit down the middle.

More Taxes and Lies  —  Over the past few days, a lot of new information has come to light on the Gwinnett stadium deal—actually it's been pried from public officials.  For any Gwinnett residents who still had confidence in their elected officials, it all has to be gone by now.

Lineup, Yanks sign Chad Moeller  —  Well, the Yankees signed a veteran catcher to add some depth in the wake of Francisco Cervelli's injury — Chad Moeller.  He was released by the Nationals yesterday.  Said Moeller: “This one came up immediately.  It's a place to go right away and play at Triple-A.”

Calling Ray Milland  —  It's a mystery pitch that needs a catchy name.  Too bad “Gyroball” is taken.  The Orioles will have to come up with another way to describe what Rule 5 pick Randor Bierd is throwing.  —  Bierd has a “swing-and-miss” pitch that's almost as difficult to describe as it is to hit.

Linden has doubts about roster security  —  Outfielder voices concerns on opportunities with A's this spring  —  PHOENIX — It wasn't supposed to be this way for Todd Linden, the former Giant who figured that he was a slam dunk to start in the A's outfield this season, considering their youth movement.