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 …

TAKE IT FROM ME  —  PEDRO HAS NO PROBLEM STEPPING BEHIND JOHAN  —  Willie Randolph hasn't officially named an Opening Day starter yet, so Pedro Martinez did it for him yesterday.  —  Despite another strong simulation and the best health he has enjoyed in years, Pedro conceded …

Still a tough pill to swallow  —  Greenwell resents '80s steroid users  —  Mike Greenwell shakes hands with another ex-Red Sox left fielder, Jim Rice (right), after Greenwell threw out the ceremonial first pitch before yesterday's game against the Mets.  (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

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.

Ailing Mets will get Castillo back next  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - By Wednesday, there's a strong chance that Moises Alou will be the lone Mets regular still unavailable.  Luis Castillo wants to be the latest rehabbing Met to return to the depleted lineup.  —  The second baseman said he's ready …

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.”

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.

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.

Pettitte scratched from start  —  Andy Pettitte has been scratched from his start Wednesday with minor muscle irritation in his left forearm on the outside of the elbow.  —  Manager Joe Girardi heavily emphasized that the ailment is minor.  Pettitte is not being sent for any tests …

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 …

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 …

Name The Three Kids, Win DVD Set and Yankees Century Book  —  Update: I have just been informed by a representative of MLB that I am not allowed to give away tickets.  I am sorry for the confusion.  The Yankees Century Book will replace the tickets in the offer.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

These Numbers are Disconnected  —  Time for some mischief.  Maybe it will get the Fire Joe Morgan treatment (h/t to ‘Ken Tremendous’ who gave me my first scandal ... one of the more enjoyable moments from last season).  —  I have been reading many verbal grenades being tossed back and forth …