El Duque might start season on DL  —  MEMPHIS - Mets officials appeared to be leaning toward placing Orlando Hernandez on the DL to start the season, paving the way for Mike Pelfrey to make at least two starts, the first opposite Tom Glavine on Saturday in Atlanta, the Daily News has learned.

PINKY WOE NO WORRY FOR JETER  —  Of course, he was fine.  Isn't he always?  —  After Derek Jeter was lifted in the third inning of last night's 4-2 exhibition win over the Marlins, the question was why.  —  “During batting practice a ground ball nipped his finger, the right pinky …

Brian Cashman answers your questions  —  We've had a lot of fun with the reader Q&A feature on the blog but this one is special.  —  We put the word out for questions for Brian Cashman last week and a record 512 e-mails came into blog headquarters from around the world.

Dodgers' Pierre isn't happy about situation  —  Veteran outfielder, who will learn today whether he has lost starting job in left to Ethier, says he doesn't get management's thinking.  —  Juan Pierre will meet with Manager Joe Torre before the Dodgers' exhibition finale against the Boston Red Sox today …

To Be Dealt: Bay, Nady, Marte, Morris, Wilson  —  A short but sweet article came out in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this morning detailing the Pirates' five main trade candidates.  No new or surprising names appear on the list but it's a handy roundup for those not up to date on their Bucco news.

Giants cut veterans Alfonzo, Kline  —  Roster spots likely to be filled by young relievers  —  SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants jettisoned a pair of veterans on Saturday, optioning catcher Eliezer Alfonzo to Triple-A Fresno and designating left-hander Steve Kline for assignment in a move that will officially be announced Sunday.

Orioles release Gibbons  —  Team responsible for paying $11.9 million left on outfielder's contract  —  The Orioles finalized their roster today, releasing veteran outfielder Jay Gibbons, who had been the second longest tenured member of the club.  —  With the move, the Orioles …

Ozzie reveals Opening Day lineup  —  Uribe to play second, Swisher to lead off against Sabathia  —  MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ozzie Guillen never has been one to hide the truth from White Sox fans, the media covering the team or anyone else in the general vicinity when he is holding court.

Angels' closer Rodriguez to wait on negotiation talks  —  ANAHEIM - Opening Day might be a point of no return for the Angels and closer Francisco Rodriguez, but neither side is willing to say so at this point.  —  Rodriguez can become a free agent after this season and has made it known he expects to test the market.

THE WRIGHT THING TO DO  —  WHY DAVID CUT DOWN ENDORSEMENT DEALS  —  March 30, 2008 — SO THAT the Mets can say yes to the postseason this season, David Wright has been saying no.  —  Wright, 25, cut back on many possible endorsement deals and promotional activities this year …

Could go either way  —  Whether it's boom or bust, this season likely will be Sheets' last with Brewers  —  When Ben Sheets takes the mound Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field, he will be making his sixth opening day start for the Milwaukee Brewers.  —  And, in all likelihood, his last.

Smith makes cut  —  The Mets haven't announced their roster yet - the deadline is 3 p.m. - but Joe Smith just emerged from the manager's office and confirmed that he's on the team.  Smith was told around 11 this morning.  —  “It feels good to finally get the word,” a smiling Smith said.

The First Game  —  If you hung around New Nationals Park a good 25 minutes after tonight's First Game by Our Washington Nationals—you would have enjoyed one of best moments of the entire evening.  A test for what's coming tomorrow on Opening Night— A FABULOUS FIREWORKS DISPLAY.  Yes, Bang!!

Astros look to contend in '08 with new formula  —  Cecil Cooper might have been new to the managerial chair, but he had seen enough of the Astros during his previous three seasons as bench coach to come to the conclusion things needed to change.  —  It didn't matter to Cooper that the club …

Deep Inside the Big Ballyard in the Bronx  —  The Yankees' second baseman is named for the Brooklyn Dodgers' second baseman, the man who stole home at Yankee Stadium in the first game of the 1955 World Series.  Where Jackie Robinson once slid, Robinson Canó now hits.  —  It is not only Canó, of course.