Beckett: No Japan trip  —  But he takes step forward on back  —  Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who has been bothered by his back, threw from flat ground without pain yesterday and said, “Everything's good.  I did everything I wanted to do.”  (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

Joba believes he'll begin in bullpen  —  Righty to discuss his role with Yanks' coaches Wednesday  —  TAMPA, Fla. — With less than two weeks remaining before the Yankees break camp, Joba Chamberlain believes that he will begin the year in New York's bullpen.

Miller remains work in progress  —  Marlins lefty finds positives to build from in latest start  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — He's still a work in progress, but 6-foot-6 Andrew Miller took some steps in the right direction on Sunday afternoon.  —  The 22-year-old Marlins left-hander showed improvement …

Categorizing Pitchers by Strikeout and Groundball Rates: Starters - 2007 Edition  —  It is no secret that the best outcome for a pitcher is a strikeout.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that statement of fact.  That's the way it has always been and that's the way it will always be.

Broken bat makes mess of Delgado  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Carlos Delgado needed four stitches to close a bloody gash on his right forearm after he was speared by Brady Clark's broken bat as he led off third base in the third inning of Sunday's 7-4 split-squad win over the Tigers.

Hendry not done dealing  —  MESA, Ariz. — Two weeks from today, the Cubs open the regular season by hosting the division rival Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field.  This has been a seemingly smooth camp, with most of the key decisions made before pitchers and catchers reported last month.

Volstad makes key start today  —  VERO BEACH — Raised in a churchgoing family by a dentist and dental hygenist, Chris Volstad of Palm Beach Gardens might be the most clean-cut pitcher the Marlins have ever produced.  —  But there he was in a Southern California tattoo parlor in December …

American League Over/Unders  —  I haven't been chiming in here nearly enough, and I couldn't resist taking a look at this year's team over/unders.  A lot of this is guess work, and I fully expect to look stupid on a bunch of them, but it's fun as hell nonetheless.  American League today, National League tomorrow.

Sabathia won't bite on Apple  —  TAMPA - Some Yankee fans view Indians' ace C.C. Sabathia, last year's AL Cy Young award winner, as the perfect target for the team when the lefty becomes a free agent next year.  —  Sabathia, though, says he's not thinking about the future, unless it applies to this season with the Indians.

College Top 25: March 17  —  Arizona State takes over top spot  —  DURHAM, N.C.—Arizona State, one of two unbeaten teams in the nation, leapfrogged Arizona to take the top spot in Baseball America's college baseball rankings.  —  The Wildcats remain second after winning a series …

Not so fast on Braves backup jobs  —  Lovetron ... er, Jupiter, Fla. _ Coming to you not from Darryl Dawkins' home planet, but from the spring home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins, a fine little ballpark with a good BBQ concession (just ate the pulled pork).

Pirates sign Snell, beat Boston  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Ian Snell today agreed to a multi-year contract that could keep him with the Pirates through the 2012 season.  —  The Pirates made the announcement moments after beating Boston, 6-3.  A three-run double by Freddy Sanchez sparked a four-run seventh inning.

Rays ace Kazmir likely to start season on DL  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir likely will start the season on the disabled list after having his first scheduled spring training start Sunday pushed back a few days.  —  Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday …