Yanks ease VT back toward normalcy  —  Pride restored to college community as one-year mark nears  —  BLACKSBURG, Va. — To get to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, follow the highway until it becomes a four-lane road, then follow that until it's a two-lane road, then drive a little while longer.

Who's No. 5?  —  Well, the Mets still aren't saying, which means that Orlando Hernandez has to somehow convince them he's capable of the fifth starter's job in the next two weeks.  Today's simulated game was inconclusive.  Hernandez topped out at 81 mph — no joke — and the majority …

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 …

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 …

MLB.com looks to crown baseball's first millionaire fan  —  “Beat the Streak presented by Mitchum” launches with record-setting grand prize of $1 million  —  NEW YORK — MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, is offering fans the opportunity to challenge one of baseball's …

Rumors mill  —  The press room at Ed Smith Stadium also serves as the lunch room for media, scouts and front office people, so it's a breeding ground for rumors.  —  Here's one I heard today: The Reds are actively seeking a catcher.  —  That serves to reason.  They've got to be concerned about David Ross' back.

Mets and Anheuser-Busch sign new multi-year marketing agreement for final year at Shea and for Citi Field  —  Budweiser and Bud Light become first “Signature Partners” at Mets' new home  —  FLUSHING — The New York Mets' home venue will change in 2009, but thanks to a deal announced today …

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?

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 …

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 …

Report from the minor league complex  —  Mariano Rivera vs. Class AA New Hampshire:  —  2 innings  —  0 hits  —  0 runs  —  0 walks  —  4 strikeouts  —  23 pitches / 16 strikes  —  “I felt good,” Rivera said after his first two-inning outing of the spring.  “All of my pitches were in the strike zone.

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.

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 …