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.

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.

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.

Dice-K will start opener; Lester in Game 2  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Red Sox manager Terry Francona today announced his starting pitchers for the two regular season-opening games in Japan next week: Daisuke Matsuzaka gets the nod on Opening Day in his home country, and Jon Lester will start Game 2.

Liriano remains work in progress  —  Lefty shows signs of former self, but has more work to do  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Left-hander Francisco Liriano said that he threw at “100 percent” in his start on Monday, the first time he's done so all spring.  —  But one question remains …

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 …

Dusting Off the Archive for the Web  —  As magazines and newspapers hunt for the new thing they need to be to thrive in the Internet era, some find that part of the answer lies in the old thing they used to be.  —  Publications are rediscovering their archives, like a person learning …

Tigers prospect dislocates shoulder  —  Hollimon suffers injury during game against Reds  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Tigers prospect Michael Hollimon's spring is likely over, and possibly more than that, after he dislocated his left shoulder on a play in the field during Monday's loss to the Reds at Ed Smith Stadium.

Mailbag: Best course with Parra?  —  Beat reporter Adam McCalvy answers Brewers fans' questions  —  The Crew can't really keep Manny Parra out of their rotation, can they?  He has been fantastic, while Chris Capuano and Dave Bush have been pretty much the polar opposite.

Lohse to pitch Saturday vs. Twins  —  Right-hander impresses Duncan, will take hill vs. former team  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Kyle Lohse is rocketing up through the levels.  A week after facing college hitters, Lohse stepped to the mound to throw to low Class A players.

Hard Feelings Emerge as Mets Face Lo Duca  —  VIERA, Fla. — Paul Lo Duca and Lastings Milledge, two players no longer with the Mets, sat in the opposing clubhouse Monday and did their best not to say anything controversial about the fact that they now play for the Washington Nationals.

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 …