NETTLES BATTLING CANCER  —  Cancer has invaded the Yankees' family again.  —  Former third baseman Graig Nettles is facing April 8 prostate surgery at Manhattan's Sloan Kettering Hospital.  —  “I was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving,” Nettles told The Post yesterday.

Pitching decisions expected Monday  —  Piniella cites the center-field race as his most pressing concern  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Opening Day starter Carlos Zambrano tuned up against a Minor League team, Kerry Wood's next appearance was delayed and Sean Marshall made his final push for a spot on the Cubs' roster.

Buchholz stays on right track … TOKYO - Clay Buchholz ran into a slight, second-inning hiccup before a singing and chanting sellout crowd at last night's exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers in the Tokyo Dome.  Other than that, the rookie right-hander remained on track to accomplish …

PEDRO UNLEASHED  —  NO PITCH COUNT FOR HEALTHY MARTINEZ THIS SEASON  —  The Mets aren't going to coddle Pedro Martinez this season.  —  Manager Willie Randolph saw enough from the three-time Cy Young winner in his second Grapefruit League start yesterday to proclaim an end to the pitch counts that handcuffed Pedro last September.

Leyland's gut says Tigers may make a trade soon  —  CLEARWATER, Fla.—Although he stressed the Tigers didn't have any trade in place as of this morning, manager Jim Leyland said today that he has a “gut feeling” that the Tigers could make a trade for a relief pitcher in the next few days.

Versatile Hinske stays in Rays outfield mix  —  Rays manager Joe Maddon, left, says Eric Hinske, the 2002 rookie of the year with Toronto, has performed well on defense in the outfield and likes the offense his left-handed bat provides.  —  Times]  —  TAMPA — Manager Joe Maddon …

Reassigned Braves C Lopez may retire  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)—Javy Lopez said he may retire after being reassigned to the Atlanta Braves' minor league camp on Saturday.  —  Jo-Jo Reyes and Brandon Jones were optioned to Triple-A Richmond as the Braves reduced their roster by seven.

Cueto, others turning heads with eye-popping springs … SARASOTA, Fla. — How can you tell when a pitcher has inspired a scout to awaken from his somnambulant spring-training state?  —  When he bolts to attention as his radar gun begins to rattle.  And, especially, when he then feels …

Wang will start Opening Day for Yanks  —  Right-hander coming off back-to-back 19-win seasons  —  TAMPA, Fla. — One year ago, Chien-Ming Wang got his hopes up to pitch on Opening Day before suffering both an injury and ultimate disappointment, forced to watch from a Tampa apartment as his team went north without him.

Trade partners hard for White Sox to find  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Trade talks haven't materialized in the manner general manager Ken Williams envisioned five weeks ago.  —  “I've had very few conversations this spring,” Williams said Friday.  —  Most of the attention has centered …