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 …

Girardi gets mixed grades in games vs. Rays  —  Like a giant wave crashing onto the beach, last week's hostilities between the Yankees and Rays were full of sound and fury - only to retreat quietly back to the sea.  Saturday's rematch in Tampa, Fla., was uneventful, even peaceful …

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 …

Beckett throws without pain  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Sox pitching coach John Farrell played catch with Josh Beckett and indicated while Beckett will likely not accompany the team to Japan, he is progressing well and threw without pain.  —  “Good news was there were no restrictions as far …

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 …

REGGIE LOSES HIS PINSTRIPES  —  Major League Baseball has ordered Reggie Jackson out of uniform for the remainder of spring training games after the Hall of Famer was on the field during this past Wednesday's altercation.  —  Jackson, who was on the field dressed in gray baseball pants …

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 …

Texas Rangers' pitching trio delivers sharp outing  —  Millwood, Benoit, Wilson dominate minor leaguers  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Now here's some chicken soup for the tortured Ranger fan's soul: the heart of the pitching staff looked like men among boys Saturday afternoon.