Cervelli to have surgery Wednesday  —  Catching prospect fractured wrist in home-plate collision  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees catching prospect Francisco Cervelli will undergo surgery on his fractured right wrist on Wednesday in New York and is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks.

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.

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 …

Sox win  —  The Red Sox won today, snapping their seven-game winless streak, with a 4-3 triumph over the Mets.  —  As for those comments from Mike Greenwell, who threw out the first pitch yesterday at City of Palms Park, he discussed the steroids issue this afternoon.

Peterson: ‘A small step for Pedro, a giant leap for the Mets’  —  In keeping (momentarily, at least) with our earlier Seinfeld theme, Rick Peterson is sometimes prone to hyperbole, even if he is a bit of a low-talker.  —  He just called Pedro Martinez's latest non-game throwing session …

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 …

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 …

Joel Hanrahan awesome, Zimmerman removed  —  Before we get to the Joel Hanrahan stuff, a quick update: Ryan Zimmerman was removed from tonight's game against the Braves here at Disney with right hip flexor tightness.  The club said it was a precautionary move.

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.

Mailbag: What's the latest on Maroth?  —  Are blue cleats here to stay?  What's a Minor League option?  —  I'm a big fan of Mike Maroth.  I was saddened when the Tigers traded him to the Cardinals and he got released last October.  Is there a good chance of him making the Royals' club?

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 …

Baker: 'It's not easy being Homer'  —  Reds manager knows it can be tough for top prospects  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — This may be the first spring Dusty Baker has ever laid eyes on pitcher Homer Bailey, but the Reds manager has witnessed plenty of Homer Baileys throughout his years in the game.

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.

Young Yankees Pitcher Has Love for Ranching  —  TAMPA, Fla. — There are 52 players in the Yankees' camp, winnowed from 69 at the start of spring training.  By the end of the month, more than half of those remaining will be farmed out to the minors.  At any time, the team could bring in better players through a trade.