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.

No setbacks for Pettitte during bullpen session  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Andy Pettitte, who was hampered by back spasms for a few days, had no setbacks after throwing a bullpen session Wednesday.  —  Pettitte, who originally was scheduled to start the Yankees' second regular-season game …

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 …

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.

Trade-Off Looms On Mitchell Proposals  —  With all 30 major league teams about to begin the regular season, the players association and the commissioner's office continued efforts Thursday to reach an agreement on the Mitchell report's recommendations on performance-enhancing drugs.

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 …

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.

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.

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

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.

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 …

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.

Roberts shrugs off latest news  —  O's second baseman offers little reaction to news that he's unlikely to be traded before Opening Day  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - After hearing his name get tossed around in trade rumors for three months without a deal being consummated, Brian Roberts hardly needed the confirmation.

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.