Joe Girardi still unsure of Joba Chamberlain description  —  TAMPA - With Opening Day two weeks from tomorrow, the Yankees still are deciding what role Joba Chamberlain will have on the pitching staff.  —  Chamberlain allowed four hits, including a solo homer by Curtis Granderson …

Angels learning why rotation depth is vital  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this  —  The Angels' loss of John Lackey for at least a month demonstrates yet again …

Castillo's back for Mets, who are getting healthy  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Second baseman Luis Castillo made his exhibition debut yesterday for the Mets, who are getting more whole at every position except catcher.  —  Castillo went 0-for-1 with two walks in the Mets' 10-3 loss to the Cardinals at Tradition Field.

For crowd, game is its cup of tea  —  Fans even boo when told first MLB contest in China, between Dodgers and Padres, would end in 3-3 tie.  —  BEIJING — Driving balls toward the empty metal bleachers behind the outfield wall during batting practice Saturday, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was admittedly worried.

Yanks' young guns face uphill fight against history  —  TAMPA - Although no one in the Yankees' high command is prepared to put a specific number on it, it is reasonable to assume they are hoping for Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy to make 25 to 30 starts apiece this season …

Kemp, Ethier both in?  —  VIERA, Fla. - By all accounts, including their own, neither Andre Ethier nor Matt Kemp has been told anything specific about what Dodgers officials have planned for them once the regular season begins.  —  As a result, they have toiled this spring under a constant cloud …

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?  RON HUNT  —  Ron Hunt, the first Mets player to get a hit, score a run and hit a home run at Shea Stadium, wants to be on hand when the team officially closes the stadium.  —  Speaking from his home in Jasper, Mo., Hunt, 67, said he hasn't been invited to a Mets alumni function …

Minor League Report: Philosophy  —  Organization looks to minimize free bases from the ground up  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rangers Minor League officials made a study of their six farm teams over the final three months of the 2007 season.  —  The officials found when their clubs allowed five …

Parra, Bush shine against Royals  —  Brewers get strong outings from rotation candidates  —  BREWERS 8, ROYALS 3  —  Royals at the plate: Kansas City benefited from some sloppy Brewers defense in the fourth inning, taking a 1-0 lead with help from two errors.

Glut gone, Rays begin search for outfielder  —  TAMPA — For years, the Rays were known for their glut of outfielders.  —  But after last week's acknowledgement that they'll be without Rocco Baldelli indefinitely, following the offseason trades of Delmon Young, Jason Pridie and Elijah Dukes …

Brewers add three to list of first cuts  —  Dillard sent to Triple-A; Bouchie, LaPorta head to Minors camp  —  PHOENIX — Turns out that the Brewers' cut list was a bit longer than the team first reported Friday.  —  On Saturday came news that right-hander Tim Dillard had been optioned …

Dice, Dice baby: A Matsuzaka is born  —  Right-handed hurler becomes father to second child, first boy  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka became a father again on Saturday morning, and as a result, he is all but certain to be able to join the Red Sox during the season-opening trip to his native country of Japan.