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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Angels have options: Aybar or Izturis for shortstop?  —  Neither candidate has made an error in exhibition play.  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — With nine days to go before the season opener, neither Erick Aybar nor Maicer Izturis has emerged as a clear-cut favorite for the shortstop job.

Castillo's future with Marlins now uncertain  —  KISSIMMEE — Jose Castillo thinks he has given the Marlins this spring what they told him they wanted when he signed in December - solid defense at third base.  —  That's why he was surprised that the Marlins placed him on waivers …