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.

Yankees honored to visit Va. Tech  —  Tuesday's exhibition game can be seen free on MLB.TV  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The itinerary for the Yankees' trip to Virginia Tech includes a visit to the memorial site at Drill Field, where the traveling party will depart from buses and pay its respects …

Mets' injured Valentin is mulling retirement  —  VIERA, Fla. - Jose Valentin sounded as if he were on the brink of retirement yesterday in talking about a pinched nerve in his neck, but general manager Omar Minaya later insisted the situation is not that desperate.

Andy Sox it Papi, Boston  —  TAMPA - The Yankees didn't seemed overly concerned about Andy Pettitte's elbow injury when he was scratched from his start two Saturdays ago.  —  Still, there had to be some comfort for the entire team Monday as the lefty tossed 65 pitches against the Red Sox.

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 …

For Dukes, Joining Nats Is a Move Toward Stability  —  More than four hours before an exhibition game last week, sweat poured off Elijah Dukes's face, soaked through his red shirt.  He worked alone with one of the Washington Nationals' batting practice pitchers, drilling baseballs …

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.

Jason Jennings picks up pace for Texas Rangers  —  Pitcher showing much improvement, but other staff question linger  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Texas Rangers are within two weeks of opening the season.  Do you know who your Rangers pitchers are?  —  Neither do they.

O's face roster of decisions  —  With spring training almost over, competition fierce in quest to be named starting shortstop, fifth starter  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - With fewer than two weeks remaining before the Orioles break camp and move their rebuilding project north, their final roster is far from set.

Team wants to deal, but needs its pitchers  —  (03-18) 04:00 PDT Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Giants remain in the trade market, still trying to upgrade their offense, but their thinking has changed given what's happening in the trainer's room.  —  With reliever Vinnie Chulk shelved …

Wood over Marmol: Cubs will regret it  —  Piniella shouldn't put most-pressing need all on Kerry's shoulders  —  He's one of those blue “I Believe” wristbands.  He's the shriek in Ron Santo's voice, the quiver in the soul of every diehard, the ongoing template of hope in Cubdom.

Ankiel ready to provide protection?  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Whether in a back field dawn workout at their spring training complex or in the relative anonymity of middle relief during a 2004 comeback to the major leagues, the Cardinals long handled Rick Ankiel as a precious commodity, something to be protected, even shrouded.

Long-term contract talks with Miguel Cabrera continue  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The Tigers and third baseman Miguel Cabrera are continuing to talk about a long-term contract that would keep the talented third baseman in Detroit for the next several years.  —  It isn't clear how close the sides …

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 …

Linden Doesn't Have Spot With A's  —  Outfielder Todd Linden hit .353/.421/.482 in 85 Spring Training at-bats in 2007.  That and the fact that he was out of options helped him snag the Giants' fourth outfielder job that year.  Linden can play all three outfield positions.