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.

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.

Dawn of a new season in more ways than one  —  TOKYO - They are the defending American League East champions, American League champions, and World Series champions.  —  This morning, they can be Champions of Breakfast.  —  It will be 6:05 a.m. back home in Boston when Dustin Pedroia steps …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Reed All About It!  —  The last time I wrote, I spoke of the Mets' desperate need to find another non-moribund option for their corner outfield woes.  I think I have found him.  —  It's Reed Johnson, former fourth-outfielder from the Toronto Blue Jays, who was just released the other day in order to make room for Shannon Stewart.

When he's not taking care of Nationals' NCAA pool, Lo Duca can't wait for opener  —  VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Paul Lo Duca spent a good chunk of his Monday meticulously updating the NCAA tournament pool charts hanging in the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium.  —  There he was in the morning …

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.