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 …

Pedro great; Delgado, Castro hurt  —  Even as the Mets got Pedro Martinez back on Sunday, their injury curse continued.  —  First baseman Carlos Delgado and backup catcher Ramon Castro were both injured and had to leave Martinez's spring debut against the Tigers at Tradition Field.

Duncan can't slow down and doesn't want to  —  Shelley Duncan has seemed baffled by all the furor surrounding his late, spikes-up slide into the Rays' Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday.  —  Duncan never saw plays like that criticized when he was growing up in and around Major League Baseball.

Conine to retire a Marlin  —  Inaugural player was member of both World Series title teams  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Fittingly, Mr. Marlin will ultimately retire as a Marlin.  —  According to a source, Jeff Conine, one of the most popular players in Florida history, will sign a one-day contract on March 28 …

Help from above?  Angels' non-trade looking good right about now  —  Angels: Five things to know  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — You looked at Miguel Cabrera in a Detroit uniform this spring and imagined the possibilities.  A bat that will have a lethal impact on the American League race.

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 …

Young Mets upstage Astros on road  —  Split squad puts up five-run fifth to top Houston  —  METS (ss) 6, ASTROS 4  —  Mets at the plate: Fernando Martinez went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.  Victor Mendez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.  Argenis Reyes tripled in the fifth inning, driving in a run.

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 …

Kyle Farnsworth's softer side  —  TAMPA - Anyone who has seen Kyle Farnsworth unleash his 100 mph heater, daring the hitter to take his best shot, knows one thing about one of the game's most aggressive pitchers: He is a competitor who puts everything he's got into each pitch, sometimes at the expense of his command.

Is Pierre odd man out in Dodgers' outfield?  —  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 …

Barton makes strong push  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa long ago advanced the notion that experience breaks ties at the end of spring training.  The adage is being challenged this month.  —  Unable to carry more than five outfielders into the season …

Every Given Sunday  —  Competing with the Kids  —  Gone is Johan Santana, two-time Cy Young Award winner and considered by many to be the best pitcher in baseball.  Gone is Torii Hunter, seven-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder, team leader and face of the franchise.

Triple threat: Why new Tiger Miguel Cabrera could be first to win Triple Crown since '67  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Houston Astros manager Cecil Cooper played with the last Triple Crown winner.  —  He thinks he might now see the next one.  —  Cooper made that clear last week …

Who is Counting Anyway  —  The Quad post introduced the counting stats in Total Bases and Times on Base, as opposed to rate stats, such as On Base Percentage and Slugging percentage.  —  The formula for Times on Base (TOB) is  — (H + BB + HBP)  —  The formula for Total Bases (TB) is