Jose Canseco Reviewed: With Spoilers  —  There I was, wandering through a quaint Cambridge bookstore on Monday, when I noticed a copy of Jose Canseco's new book “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball” in their tiny sports section.  That's odd, I thought.

Pettitte pushed back to third or fourth  —  Lefty sidelined with back spasms; Mussina to follow Wang  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have reshuffled their starting rotation to accommodate left-hander Andy Pettitte, who has been pushed back to the third or fourth game of the season because of back spasms.

Moss, Manny come up clutch  —  Rookie ties things up with blast, veteran drives in winning runs  —  TOKYO — The 24-year-old outfield prospect from Loganville, Ga., had to travel all the way to the Far East to club his first Major League homer.  However, the timing was nothing short …

Balentien out of mix in Mariners' outfield puzzle  —  Reed drawing interest from Padres, Rays  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — One piece was taken out of the Mariners' outfield puzzle Monday morning when rookie Wladimir Balentien was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma.  —  Although maybe it shouldn't have, the news came as a major blow to Balentien.

Maine continues to pitch well for Mets  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - One week from now, every player's spring training statistics will be irrelevant, and that's a shame for John Maine.  —  The righthander has dominated the Grapefruit League this month, and that continued yesterday in the Mets' 1-0 win over the Orioles.

What does Cubdom want, mush or truth?  —  Sorry, Cubs fans, but it's about time someone gives you dose of reality  —  As the most tortured and masochistic fans in sports, you demand love and tenderness in Cubdom.  You want hope, optimism, faith.  You want 100-year amnesia.

From Wright to Cabrera: The top 50 for five years … This winter, I made lists of the top players at each position over the next five seasons (2008 to 2012).  Mistakes were made, readers were horrified and corrections were issued.  With that experience to guide me, I've now combined …

Register on waivers, likely headed elsewhere  —  Reliever Steven Register has been placed on waivers, two sources unaffiliated with the Mets told the Daily News.  That signals that Mets officials intend to turn elsewhere - presumably to Joe Smith or Brian Stokes - if Duaner Sanchez is not ready to break camp with the team.

DirecTV, out?  —  I've been getting emails from DirecTV customers, who've said that their packages (ESPN2 and NESN) are out.  Not sure if this is affecting all customers, or just some, but apparently there are some very unhappy early risers.  —  Sorry about that.

Mets Commit to 5-Man Rotation, No Matter What  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Mets will not need a fifth starter until April 12.  The two candidates for that role, Orlando Hernández and Mike Pelfrey, imploded during their outings Sunday.  So, common sense says the Mets …

Harper: A-Rod regrets saying no to Mets  —  During spring training, Alex Rodriguez has mostly avoided discussion of his messy contract opt-out and offseason return to the Yankees, but apparently only because he didn't want to say something that might prove controversial, as is often his habit.

Baseball's sold its soul  —  Good morning.  You just missed Opening Day.  —  The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics played the first game of the major league season Tuesday morning (normal baseball earth time) in Tokyo.  I imagine Japan will reciprocate this breach of tradition by opening the sumo season at Fenway Park.

Beltre prepared to play through pain  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Adrian Beltre suited up to play Monday, just like he always does.  —  His daily preparations include a tight flexible bandage around his left wrist.  —  Beltre injured the wrist diving for a ball June 1 against Texas.

Rockies' Nix named starting 2B  —  PHOENIX — Jayson Nix, the leader from start to finish, officially won the Rockies' second base derby today.  —  “I told him this morning that he's our starting opening-day second baseman,” manager Clint Hurdle said this afternoon after the Rockies beat Milwaukee 6-5 in a Cactus League game.

Will Edgar Martinez head to Hall of Fame?  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle's love for Edgar Martinez is unquestioned.  —  The former Mariners designated hitter brought the city some of its most cherished sports memories, including the 1995 double that might have saved baseball in Seattle.