Adjustments work wonders for Wang  —  Yanks' ace avoids overstriding, keeps ball down in strong start  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Those of you holding tickets for the final Opening Day at the current Yankee Stadium, feel free to breathe a hearty sigh of relief.  —  He may not be perfect …

Beckett to miss Red Sox's MLB opener in Japan … FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox haven't broken the news to the good people of Japan yet that Josh Beckett isn't going to be starting Opening Day in Tokyo.  —  But it's all but official now: Josh Beckett isn't going to be starting Opening Day in Tokyo.

Pedro shows flashes of old form in simulated game  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - On Monday, the Mets told Pedro Martinez they wanted him to pitch a simulated game yesterday at 9:30 a.m.  —  Too early, said Pedro.  So the outing was moved to 12:30 p.m.  —  Martinez stepped to the mound at Tradition Field at about 12:25.

3 DOWN: Reed Johnson, Blanton and Benitez  —  1. The Mets have inquired with the Blue Jays about righty-hitting outfielders Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson.  It would seem unlikely that Stewart would be a match for the Mets because he is not suited to play right field …

Still batting around those ‘Abstract’ ideas  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bill James can, and will, tell you lots of things about baseball that you don't know.  That it doesn't pay, for example, for the Tampa Bay Rays to shift their defense against David Ortiz so that it looks like “a town meeting in right field.”

Cards seek help on mound  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Four days after Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak downplayed the club's search for additional starting pitching, the club reacted Tuesday to persistent questions about Joel Pineiro's right shoulder by inquiring about free agent Kyle Lohse.

Fish to go with four-man rotation at first  —  Early-season days off give manager Gonzalez some leeway  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — A couple of early-season days off has Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez leaning towards going awhile with a four-man rotation.  —  “I'd like to go with four, and keep those guys on schedule,” Gonzalez said.

For Angels' Rivera, it could be wait till next year  —  Although he appears to be a superfluous outfielder now, team is reluctant to trade him because he could fill a prominent role in 2009 and 2010.  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Juan Rivera has been labeled the odd man out in an Angels outfield …

Injuries leave Texas Rangers' rotation reeling  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — When the Texas Rangers begin the regular season in Seattle on March 31 they will have a healthy starting rotation.  Now, about the guys they planned on being in that rotation, well, that's a different story.

Bored...  I didn't expect Joba, Ian and I to get so many questions about the three of us this spring.  We've done two tri-interviews the last couple days.  The most recent being this afternoon with the YES network.  We've been asked everything from Joba's role this season to which nickname …

Inquiry Into Doctor May Link Players to Drugs  —  Prosecutors at the United States attorney's office for the Northern District of California are investigating a California doctor to determine whether he illegally wrote prescriptions for patients, including major league baseball players …

Ichiro not sweating streak  —  Outfielder takes 0-for-21 Cactus League hitless skid in stride  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Ichiro Suzuki has found a “happy place” in his 0-for-21 streak to start the Cactus League season, relishing the heightened atmosphere a seven-game hitless streak is bringing to him every time he takes the field.

Name The Three Kids, Win DVD Set and Yankees Tickets  —  The Bronx Block is proud to present our first major contest of the season.  The mainstream media in New York has recently taken to calling the three Yankees pitching phenoms “Generation Trey”.  From what I have been able to tell …

Piniella wants hitters to start producing  —  Manager may shake up lineup, play regulars more  —  MESA, Ariz. - Derrek Lee isn't concerned about his .125 average in the Cactus League, though manager Lou Piniella is anxious for his regulars to start hitting.  —  “I've had terrible springs and great springs,” Lee said.

Gallardo set for next step  —  He'll throw against minor-leaguers today  —  Phoenix - Yovani Gallardo takes his first significant step this morning in the slow but steady process of rejoining the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation.  —  Gallardo, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee …

Sheets comes up short for first time  —  Allows initial spring runs and is knocked out after three innings  —  GIANTS 8, BREWERS 4  —  Giants at the plate: Ray Durham went 4-for-4 including a single in the second inning, when San Francisco sent 10 men to the plate against Brewers starter Ben Sheets and scored five runs.