Lowell: We won't go to Japan if staff doesn't get paid  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell confirmed to the Globe's Jackie MacMullan that the team voted unanimously this morning not to make the scheduled trip to Japan or play its final spring training game against Toronto …

Castro legging it out  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Ramon Castro's MRI exam revealed a strained right hamstring, but Mets trainers felt good enough about his condition to clear him to catch Mike Pelfrey's six-inning simulated game Tuesday.  Castro, who is apprehensive about running …

Don't rush him: Rays would be wise to send Longoria back to Durham  —  His time is near, on that we can all agree.  The tricky part is defining near.  ¶  If you are Evan Longoria, then opening day sounds like the nearest thing to heaven.  If you are a Rays fan, after seeing another Longoria home run …

Ten people to avoid at the ballpark  —  I'll probably cover 120 or so games this season.  But I also plan on attending at least four or five as fan.  It's fun to watch a game and not have to worry about coming up with a story afterward.  —  There are few things better than watching a game in person with your buddies.

Union to look at lack of Bonds offers  —  The lack of offers to Barry Bonds will be examined by baseball's Players Association as part of its annual review of the free agent market.  —  Less than two weeks before Opening Day, the 43-year-old home run king remains unsigned …

Marquis plying his trade  —  With 1.93 spring ERA, right-hander could help Cubs one way or another  —  MESA, Ariz. — With his name a regular part of trade rumors, Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis was asked if he had allowed himself to consider some of the possibilities — like, say …

A's notes: Minor-leaguer De Los Santos hits 97 on gun  —  (03-18) 19:52 PDT Surprise, —  Ariz. - Fautino De Los Santos, who might be the real prize in the Nick Swisher deal, made his first appearance for the A's, and several other potential Oakland players also made their spring debuts with the team.

Phillies Notebook: Phillies' Jenkins shows home-run power  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - How momentous was Geoff Jenkins' first home run of the spring?  —  “We know he can hit one now, don't we?” manager Charlie Manuel said.  —  The Phillies were actually well aware of that fact when they signed …

Nationals Have Logjam Up the Middle  —  Barring a trade — and with General Manager Jim Bowden at the controls, that never is a good idea — the Washington Nationals have three players for two positions in the middle infield.  Two of those players — would-be second basemen Ronnie Belliard …