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.

Lightning Rod  —  After a stormy off-season, Alex Rodriguez is back on course for the record books and, perhaps, that ever-elusive ring.  Can baseball's $275-million man redeem himself — and the game?  By Seth Mnookin  —  On Opening Day last season, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit …

Linden learns he won't make club  —  Non-roster invitee was tearing up Cactus League pitching  —  PHOENIX — First baseman/designated hitter Mike Sweeney got half of the good news he's been hoping for Sunday when the A's informed him he'll be going to Japan with them Wednesday.

Pettitte backs Papi off the plate  —  TAMPA - Andy Pettitte admitted he did try to back Big Papi off the plate in his second at-bat today which seemed to irritate the Sox slugger.  —  Pettitte, who hadn't pitched in 10 days because of elbow soreness, came in tight to Papi's midsection, but didn't hit him.

Bob Costas Addresses Last Week's Comments  —  Last night, while preparing for today's tournament lunacy and trying to find a picture of Mississippi Valley State's logo (he is Ming, and he is merciless), our phone rang.  We didn't have time to answer it, so 20 minutes later, we checked our messages.

Traber seizing opportunity with Yanks  —  Journeyman emerging as favorite to be lone lefty in 'pen  —  TAMPA, Fla. — In the early days of camp, when comfortable running shoes were the most valuable equipment for a Yankees starting pitcher, an unknown prankster decided to rib journeyman Billy Traber …

Valentin's career in jeopardy  —  Jose Valentin's career appears in jeopardy because of what he suspects are a pair of disks pinching a nerve in his neck, which is sending pain radiating down his right arm fairly consistently.  Valentin, who indicated the discomfort is “like someone sticking a knife in you …

Great Moments In Brian-Roberts-To-Cubs-Trade- Rumor History  —  “The first test of Andy MacPhail's authority as Orioles president of baseball operations will come if a rival club makes a strong push to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts.  —  “A year ago, Orioles owner Peter Angelos refused …

A farewell to Dodgertown  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. - Taking a left off State Highway 60 for the short, slow crawl into the parking lot at Dodgertown, I find the moment more or less matches my expectations.  —  The anger is gone.  —  The disappointment, no.  —  It still hurts.

New study says HGH users not getting boost  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Athletes who take human growth hormone may not be getting the boost they expected.  —  While growth hormone adds some muscle, it doesn't appear to improve strength or exercise capacity, according to a review of studies that tested the hormone in mostly athletic young men.

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.

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)

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 …