Sheets might need elbow surgery  —  Deal with Rangers called off; Brewers may pay for procedure  —  MILWAUKEE — Finally, an answer to one of this winter's most puzzling questions: Why is the National League's All-Star Game starting pitcher still looking for a job?

Moose's save situation  —  Mike Mussina, who is quoted often in Joe Torre's new book, took to the local airwaves Wednesday to address what has been perceived as him taking shots at untouchable closer Mariano Rivera in “The Yankee Years.”  —  According to one passage, Mussina said Rivera …

Conte questions samples collected from Bonds  —  Victor Conte has said for months that the urine samples allegedly belonging to Barry Bonds that were collected by the BALCO laboratory and tested in 2000 and 2001 raise significant questions involving authenticity and chain of custody issues.

JAYS CLOSE TO SIGNING MILLAR  —  The Mets and Yankees both had conversations with Kevin Millar's representatives about the free-agent slugger.  But, the Post has learned, the righty swinger is almost certain to sign a minor league deal with the Blue Jays, possibly today, and no later than tomorrow.

Restructuring of MLB Blackout Policy Becoming More Remote  —  Two months from today, the 2009 regular season for Major League Baseball will get underway, and with it, fans will reach for their remotes (and wallets) to watch out-of-market games via MLB Extra Innings.

Source: Padres, Floyd agree on 1-year deal  —  The San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd, according to a major-league source.  The contract guarantees Floyd less than $1 million.  —  Floyd, 36, spent last season with Tampa Bay, where he primarily served as a designated hitter.

Why Roger Clemens Isn't Barry Bonds  —  No matter what the outcome of the tests now being conducted on the Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee syringes and no matter what the outcome of the anti-defamation suits Clemens and McNamee have filed against each other and no matter whether the government finds grounds …

Teammate: Dodgers can win with or without Manny Ramirez  —  LOS ANGELES — Russell Martin says he and his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates want Manny Ramirez [stats] to return, but the slugger “isn't necessarily the difference between us winning or losing.”  —  Ramirez has rejected three offers …

How MLBAM Can Take its Next Big Step  —  Despite the horrendous economy, MLBAM is actually in a rare sweet spot.  The business models that worked for media companies in the twentieth century are on life support, and may be gone faster than anybody had anticipated.  (Would you advertise in a newspaper right now?)

Murton was added for depth, not as trade precursor  —  Part of the charm of the internet is that every baseball move can be dissected within seconds of the deal.  There were some educated guesses in the blogosphere Wednesday that the Rockies' acquisition of outfielder Matt Murton was a precursor to a Garrett Atkins trade.

OTL: Texans' minicamp contact drills questioned … HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans' coaching staff announced to the linemen that they would be running one-on-one blocking drills during minicamp last May, the rumbling started immediately, players say.  —  The NFL's rules about minicamp …

Major League Snitch  —  Unmasked: How a white-collar Baltimore swindler turned secret FBI informant and ignited a Major League Baseball steroid scandal  —  Even a casual sports fan is by now aware of the key personalities and events of Major League Baseball's ongoing steroid scandal …

Happy birthday, Hammer!  Aaron celebrates 75 years  —  ATLANTA—Happy birthday, Hammer!  Hank Aaron's family and friends are throwing him a 75th birthday party Thursday night at a downtown Atlanta hotel.  Among those scheduled to attend are former President Bill Clinton …

Mets now targeting righthanded hitter for bench  —  The Mets, their major offseason goals achieved, will next target a righthanded hitter for their bench, a person familiar with the situation said yesterday.  —  Some Mets officials like free agent Rich Aurilia, who has ties to both New York and general manager Omar Minaya.