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.

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 …

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 …

Lofton Turned Down Two Offers  —  Kenny Lofton tells Ken Rosenthal, “age ain't nothing but a number.”  However, he feels that his age (41 in May) is the reason he's not getting offers he deems acceptable this winter.  He's turned down two offers: a minor league one from the Reds and a Major League one from the Rays in excess of $1MM.

Papelbon hopes long flight proves to be a flop … FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] are all in.  —  The approximately 19-hour trip to Japan that the Red Sox embarked upon last night was going to feature an array of time-killing devices but the No. 1 diversionary tactic is going to be poker, the Texas Hold 'Em variety.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Bigbie exiled after breaking code  —  YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Year of the Rat in the Japanese zodiac started Feb. 7, about a week after Larry Bigbie arrived.  —  He came here with some fanfare, more than he had seen in his six years playing in the major leagues.

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.

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.

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) …