Register might be next in line  —  If Duaner Sanchez isn't ready to break camp with the Mets, and it's certainly possible, it would seem that the next reliever in line would be Rule 5 pick Steven Register from the Rockies.  —  Basically, the Mets paid $50,000 to the Rockies to draft Register (pictured) during the winter meetings.

Venues set for World Baseball Classic  —  Japan, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico to host first round in '09  —  The first-round venues are set for the second running of the World Baseball Classic, which will begin on March 5, 2009, in Japan.  —  As in 2006, Tokyo Dome and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan …

Rox making roster moves  —  Giles on trading block; Wells bound for bullpen  —  TUCSON — As spring training winds down, the Rockies began making significant roster moves today.  —  They are trying to trade veteran second baseman Marcus Giles to the injury-riddled Dodgers.

Valuing Miguel Cabrera  —  Miguel Cabrera is reportedly close to signing an eight-year $152.3 million deal.  As hard as this is to believe, given the contract size, this is an amazing deal for Dave Dombrowski and the Detroit Tigers.  I have Cabrera valued at $268 million over this time period …

No change in plan for Mendoza  —  Fifth starter to open season in Triple-A before April 12 debut  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Luis Mendoza has left no doubt that he belongs in the Rangers' rotation.  —  He'll just have to wait a few more weeks before he gets to enjoy the full benefits and privileges that go with that honor.

Dallas McPherson running out of games to impress Marlins manager  —  Injuries again have set back third baseman  —  JUPITER - It's probably too late for Dallas McPherson to unravel whatever roster plans manager Fredi Gonzalez has formulated, but at least he's in a position to try.

Ross working back from knee injury  —  Hermida conutinues batting practice; Treanor rests Sunday  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Soggy conditions on Sunday didn't prevent Cody Ross from getting in some needed work as he rebounds from a hyperextended left knee.  —  Ross, in the chase …

Send Salty to the minors?  There must be a better answer  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — It's the Texas Rangers' Catch-22, if you will, and not exactly the position they expected to be in this spring when they dealt Mark Teixeira to Atlanta at last season's trading deadline.

Iconic ace Darvish pushes Japan's boundaries  —  SAPPORO, Japan - Following a victory last season, Yu Darvish, the winning pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, stood in front of a microphone inside a packed stadium, thanked his teammates and fans for their support …

Trade review: Bobby Abreu  —  You folks seemed to enjoy my trade analysis of Edgar Renteria and Andy Marte a month or so back.  Unsurprisingly I got a ton of e-mails asking me to look back at some other recent trades.  Today I look back at the Bobby Abreu trade that moved him to the Yankees from Philadelphia in July 2006.

Casey injury forces Sox roster shuffle … TOKYO - A new injury has forced the Red Sox [team stats]' specialized Japanese-only roster to be re-jiggered the day before the season opens.  —  Sean Casey's stiff neck, which came from the plane ride over here, has forced him to be one of the three players on the inactive list.

Girardi seeks relief from numbers game  —  BRADENTON, Fla. - One week.  Three spots.  Eleven pitchers.  —  That will be Joe Girardi's concern over the next seven days, as the Yankees manager looks to fill out his bullpen for the start of the regular season.

Backing up: Yankees' Pettitte still bothered by back spasms  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Andy Pettitte underwent treatment but did not play catch Sunday, one day after being scratched from a scheduled start due to back spasms.  —  “I was really feeling pretty good last night, and feeling good about it …