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 …

Castro has strain  —  The Mets announced this morning that Ramon Castro's MRI revealed a strain of his right hamstring.  The official prognosis is day-to-day (of course).  But it is a good sign that Castro is behind the plate catching Mike Pelfrey for this morning's simulated game.

Lo Duca, Milledge still have issues with Mets  —  Washington Nationals catcher Paul LoDuca (right) is still upset over how the Mets turned their back on him this winter.  (Newsday/Kathy Kmonicek)  —  VIERA, Fla. - Whether or not the Mets consider the Nationals a threat in the NL East this season …

No. 2 Lester to arrive late  —  FORT MYERS - For Jon Lester [stats], there is a price to be paid for being named the Red Sox [team stats]' starter for their second regular-season game in Tokyo - he won't be joining his teammates on the flight to Japan.  —  Lester, who was announced yesterday …

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 …

Mailbag: Alternatives to Delgado?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  With Moises Alou unavailable and Carlos Delgado a question mark, what do you think of trading Ruben Gotay and a Minor League prospect, such as Robert Parnell, to the Orioles for outfielder Jay Payton and first baseman Kevin Millar?

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 …

New-and-improved SportsCenter throws Ombudsman curveball … In a column last summer, posted in response to the insipid, month-long Who's Now competition on SportsCenter, I broached the notion of ESPN's producing a crisp, clean half-hour evening edition of SportsCenter, focused on news and highlights …

Phillies Notebook: Lidge may start weekend exhibition  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Assuming everything goes smoothly in a minor league start Thursday, Brad Lidge should make his first Grapefruit League appearance this weekend.  The Phillies closer, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Feb. 25 …

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 …

Ex-Reds World Series pitcher Purkey dies at 78  —  BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Bob Purkey, who pitched in three All-Star games and one World Series with the Cincinnati Reds, has died.  He was 78.  —  Purkey died Sunday, according to the Paul L. Henney Funeral Home.

National League Over/Unders  —  In case you missed it, we ran through the American yesterday.  Now on to the senior circuit.  For entertainment purposes only:  —  Arizona Diamondbacks - 86.5  —  Under: The Diamondbacks won 90 games last year, despite allowing more runs then they scored.

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.

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.