Rodriguez Not Expected to Be as Open as Pettitte  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees will discuss his use of performance-enhancing drugs at a news conference here Tuesday, but he is not expected to imitate Andy Pettitte's performance from a year ago.

Family matters for White Sox's Mark Buehrle, who is considering retirement after 2011 season  —  So much so, that Buehrle may retire after 2011 season  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mark Buehrle arrived for his 10th training camp with the White Sox looking ready to go, as always.

Varitek: No switch from switching  —  In case you're wondering, Jason Varitek knows the idea has been floated.  But if you're expecting him to give up switch-hitting to bat only righthanded, he has a simple answer.  —  “Oh my goodness.  Hell, no,” Varitek said this morning at the Red Sox' spring training complex.

Peter King: What's next for Favre … We've got a lot going on for what's supposed to be a dead time — Michael Vick's on the block while in the cell block, Julius Peppers is trying to politely talk himself out of Carolina, Alex Rodriguez is lying about Selena Roberts (which enrages me) …

A few things . . .  Julio Lugo fields ground balls with the shortstops Monday.  (Chris Forsberg / Boston.com)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — A few things from the clubhouse before players took the field . . .  - Julio Lugo said this morning he'll wait and see how things transpire by the end …

Believe it not, this is about JUAN CRUZ  —  I touched on this in my story for Monday's ink-on-paper editions.  —  A new wrinkle has come up that could make it easier for the Twins acquire someone like righthander Juan Cruz, who's considered one of the best set up men of the free agent class …

2009 Mets rotation  —  As of today, with everyone healthy, this is the Mets' rotation to start the season:  —  1. Johan Santana  —  2. Mike Pelfrey  —  3. Oliver Perez  —  4. John Maine  —  5. Tim Redding  —  Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Pelfrey's better numbers …

Gammons/A-Rod was no Frost/Nixon  —  After a nearly year-long retreat into the shadows, the squirrelly topic of performance enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball darted into view several times in the past few weeks, before finally bursting onto center screen.

PECOTA sure to stir annual debate  —  Named for former infielder, system projects many of season's results  —  When Nate Silver devised the unique PECOTA rating system for Baseball Prospectus, he had a light-hitting Kansas City Royals infielder in mind.  —  And when that infielder …

Pitchers and Catchers  —  Back when I started working in baseball for the Cleveland Indians, the only feeling that rivaled winning in the playoffs was getting in your rental car in Orlando in the middle of February, rolling down the windows, and soaking up the 60+ miles to Winter Haven.

Zimmermann Eyes More Than Just a Spot in Camp  —  A month and a half ago, Jordan Zimmermann started to get a bit nervous.  The Washington Nationals still hadn't invited him to big league camp.  For all of his recent acclaim — Baseball America named him the organization's top prospect …

Ortiz: Give players who test positive a year ban … FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — David Ortiz says players who test positive for steroids should be suspended from baseball for the whole season.  —  The Red Sox designated hitter says the way to clean up the game is through testing and not by taking players to court.

Mets launch Online Ticket Registration for Opening Day at Citi Field Tomorrow, February 17 at 10 A.M on Mets.Com and Losmets.Com  —  Season Tickets Featuring Opening Day on Sale Now at Mets.com and LosMets.com  —  The New York Mets today announced the launch of an online registration …

Hampton leaves camp with irregular heartbeat … KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Astros left-hander Mike Hampton is returning to Houston to get treatment for an irregular heartbeat.  —  Hampton was to be examined Monday by team physician Dr. Jim Muntz and will undergo a procedure that corrects his heartbeat with an electrical current.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Looking at 2009 Free Agency  —  By Maury Brown [February 16 at 10:50am CST]  —  With Spring Training arriving, we can start to peel back the layers of the onion we call free agency and look at some trends.  To begin with, I started by taking a look at total spending in the FA market this season.

Ludwick close to deal with Cards  —  Outfielder cancels plans to attend arbitration hearing  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Ryan Ludwick expects to have a contract finalized with the Cardinals in the immediate future.  The outfielder is so confident that he has canceled plans to fly to Arizona …

INTERVIEW: Peter Schmuck  —  Pitchers and catchers are reporting to camp this week, so Splice talked with one of Baltimore's longest-standing baseball writers about his predictions for the season and his wallowing team.  —  The Baltimore Orioles, once considered a first-class Major League …

Mariners add a catcher in Phillips after losing Oliveros  —  The Mariners brought another catcher into camp Monday on a minor league invite, Jason Phillips.  —  The 32-year-old Phillips is a replacement for Luis Oliveros, who will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee …

3 UP: Mo, Joba and Manny/A-Rod  —  1. In researching this column about whether Joba Chamberlain should start or relieve, I realized something about Mariano Rivera: He not only has been the best reliever ever, he also is among the most durable.  It means the Yankees have had his excellence a lot each season, and for a long time.