John Patterson Released [With Update]  —  Dave Sheinin reports from Viera that the Nationals have released right-hander John Patterson.  —  Patterson, the Nationals' Opening Day starter in 2007, was limited to 15 starts in 2006 and '07 because of a series of nerve problems in his right arm and elbow.

Joba works in 'pen, but should start at end  —  Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain throws live batting practice as pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras watches during spring training at Legends Field.  (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan)  —  We all knew this day was coming.

New deal is set for Wainwright  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.  • The Cardinals' opening day starter and present-day ace Adam Wainwright is expected to sign a long-term contract today with the club that assures his place in its future.  —  The Cardinals plan to finalize and announce …

Time running out on Lofton's '08 hopes  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this  —  Kenny Lofton is frustrated.  Four times since 2002, a contender has wanted him badly enough to trade for him.

Sox touch down safely … Good morning, America!  The Red Sox [team stats] have landed!  —  The Red Sox' charter flight to Japan for their seven-day visit - which will feature two exhibition games and the first two games of their 2008 World Series title defense - touched down safely in Tokyo at 12:16 a.m. Friday morning.

Management undecided on Longoria  —  Financial aspects might matter in prospect's future in Majors  —  ST. PETERSBURG — A decision must be made on Evan Longoria in the near future.  And all the Rays' top prospect has done this spring is play like a top prospect.

Marlins' Willingham out to improve against lefties  —  One of the National League's best and one of its worst hitters against left-handed pitching in 2007 are Marlins.  —  Beginning Opening Day, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Willingham, respectively, hope to prolong and reverse the trends.

Jays holding Ryan out of games  —  Toronto closer may not be ready to go by Opening Day  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — B.J. Ryan's goal of returning to the Blue Jays' bullpen in time for Opening Day may have been a little too optimistic.  With less than two weeks remaining in the spring slate …

Spring Training: Morgan/McLouth competition may not be either/or situation  —  Yankees pitcher Billy Traber misses the tag, allowing Ryan Doumit to score from third last night.  The Yankees won the first night game at McKechnie Field, 12-9.  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Pirates management …

Nomar could swing bat by weekend  —  Dodgers liken microfracture in right wrist to bad bruise  —  PHOENIX — Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra has a microfracture in his right wrist, which was struck by a pitch on March 7, but club officials liken it to a bad bruise and say he could be swinging …

Valentine says timing of MLB Japan trip ‘ludicrous’  —  Bobby Valentine has nothing against the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics opening Major League Baseball's 2008 season in Japan.  It's just the timing of it he can't understand.  —  The former Texas Rangers and New York Mets manager …

Tina Cervasio joins MSG, MSG Plus  —  As expected, MSG announced the hiring of Tina Cervasio, late of NESN, as a host/reporter for MSG and MSG Plus.  —  She will co-shot “MSG, NY” and be a sideline reporter for Red Bulls games, among other things.

Selling the Drama: Red Sox, Collusion, and Barry Bonds  —  If you need any further proof that we're nearly at Opening Day, all you had to do was read the news yesterday surrounding Major League Baseball.  If it wasn't real news (Red Sox threatening to boycott their trip to Japan) …

State of the Systems, AL East  —  2008 Rookies: Luis Hernandez takes over at shortstop, and while the defensive upgrade from Miguel Tejada should not be ignored, the offensive dropoff draws comparisons to Niagara Falls.  James Hoey and Rocky Cherry are both competing for Opening Day bullpen jobs, although Hoey has had arm troubles.

In baseball they're called ‘clubhouse’ pools  —  In each clubhouse I've visited this week, there has been at least one common denominator: Each team has its own NCAA tournament pool and each squad had players who were poring over their picks in front of their lockers.