Matsui Gets Married, and Not Just to Beat Jeter  —  There was a news release waiting for us in the press box today in Tampa.  It was a statement from Hideki Matsui.  Turns out he sneaked off to New York on Wednesday to get married.  —  Matsui - one of the all-time good guys for reporters - met with us outside the clubhouse.

Register clears waivers  —  Rule 5 pick Steven Register has cleared waivers, the Daily News has learned.  The Mets are trying to work out a trade with the Rockies that would allow them to keep the reliever and place him in the minors.  —  SNY's Ron Darling will join the broadcast crew …

Barry?  Barry who?  It's as if he was never here  —  (03-26) 20:47 PDT — Ladies and gentlemen, Barry Bonds has left the building.  —  It's official, and historic, although not original.  That announcement could have been made during the eighth inning of several Giants' home games last season.

PIRATES 5, YANKEES 2  —  Pirates at the plate: Adam LaRoche drove in the Pirates' first run of the day with a first-inning double and Nyjer Morgan finished the afternoon with two hits.  Second baseman Luis Rivas and catcher Ryan Doumit also both reached base twice.

Hank bashes Canseco, backs A-Rod  —  Yankees general partner Hank Steinbrenner compares Alex Rodriguez to a modern-day Mickey Mantle in terms of ability.  —  In his spirited defense of A-Rod on Wednesday, Steinbrenner told The Record that “if [Sandy] Koufax, [Mickey] Mantle, [Babe] Ruth …

Salcedo Story Takes Another Turn  —  The curious tale of Edward Salcedo has taken another strange turn.  —  Salcedo, a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, was regarded as one of the hottest prospects coming out of last summer's international signing period, and at least …

Duncan earns Dawson Award  —  Selected as top Yankees rookie in Spring Training  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Shelley Duncan charged several strides to his left, losing his cap on a full extension grab and thudding to the outfield turf at newly-christened George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday.

If healthy, El Duque is likely No. 5  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets are likely to go with Orlando Hernandez as their No. 5 starter if El Duque shows he is healthy Friday in his final Grapefruit League start, a team source said today.  —  Hernandez has the upper hand over Mike Pelfrey …

Durbin put on waivers  —  Down to 11 healthy pitchers, the Phillies could drop to 10 by today after placing struggling reliever J.D. Durbin on waivers.  —  Apparently the Phils are pretty confident they'll be successful in their desperate search to add a veteran arm from outside the organization before Monday's season opener.

Opening Day lineup vs. Erik Bedard  —  Manager Ron Washington has set his Opening Day lineup.  Here is what Erik Bedard will be facing  —  2B Ian Kinsler  —  SS Michael Young  —  CF Josh Hamilton  —  3B Hank Blalock  —  DH Milton Bradley  —  LF David Murphy  —  RF Marlon Byrd

Yankees to play final home opener in current Yankee Stadium  —  The New York Yankees will open the 2008 Championship Season-the 106th in franchise history and the 84th and final season at the current Yankee Stadium-on Monday, March 31 vs. the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.

Drew hopes for better luck  —  TUCSON - Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew seemed mildly amused when reporters approached him late last season, asking him what he was doing differently at the plate.  His offensive numbers had been poor all year, but suddenly in the final weeks of September, everything had changed.

McNamee to kids: Learn from my mistake  —  EVERETT, Mass. (AP)—Former New York Yankees trainer Brian McNamee resurfaced to give a brief motivational speech to a small group of workout buffs on Thursday but refused to comment on the steroid scandal that landed him and his famous former client in front of Congress.

Back with the D-Backs (cont.)  —  Around the camps  —  • The Indians are the latest to inquire about Freddy Garcia, who will wait until he regains full health before deciding where to pitch.  By the time he's ready — perhaps June — just about anyone will be able to use him.