Manuel hands left-field job to Murphy  —  Tatis likely to platoon with Church in right field, back up Wright  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Daniel Murphy's outfield internship is now complete.  Mets manager Jerry Manuel revealed that much Sunday, saying that Murphy will be the team's regular …

St. John's faces Georgetown Sunday, March 29 to open Citi Field  —  Tickets go on sale Monday, March 2 on mets.com  —  FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today announced that they will open Citi Field to the public for the first time Sunday, March 29 at 1:10 p.m. with a Big East college …

Girardi taking more personal approach  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Months before his star player admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, Joe Girardi knew he had to change his approach to remain the manager of the Yankees beyond this season.  The controversy surrounding Alex Rodriguez only served to underscore that point in his mind.

Sox Nation can't get over losing Teixeira to Yanks  —  There is an actual Red Sox Nation, you know, a group of fans who unite in their support of the Yankees' rivals.  Former second baseman Jerry Remy is the president of this group, and under him serves vice president Rob Crawford, who works at an elementary school in the Boston area.

Trainer for Washington Nationals prospect blames MLB for error  —  The trainer for a top Washington Nationals prospect who faked his age and name denied any knowledge of the player's deception and blamed Major League Baseball's investigative office in the Dominican Republic for failing to catch the scheme.

Dice-K, Ichiro top Japan's final roster for WBC … MIYAZAKI, Japan (AP) — Japan's final roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic was set on Sunday with Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka among five major league players on the 28-man squad.

A pivotal position  —  JUPITER, FLA. — The politically correct term is “idea,” not “experiment.”  —  It's not a freak show, a publicity stunt or a carnival act.  It is, however, undeniably out of left field.  —  Fans and team personnel find it virtually impossible to walk past without half-stepping …

Behind the plate — Yadi's RAA  —  Yadier Molina is pretty widely regarded as a premier defensive catcher and that was that basis for the long term contract he signed prior to last season.  His defensive excellence was finally recognized by the voting public when he won his first Gold Glove following the '08 season.

BP and Splitters  —  Valerio de los Santos has a serious fastball, of which I'll post video later.  —  He was pitching a BP to Valentin and Castillo in front of reporters, coaches, and fans, all of which were seemingly impressed.  —  Update, 10:55 am:  —  K-Rod, Elmer Dessens …

Cardinals Make Late Pass at Hudson  —  JUPITER, FLA — Free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers is imminent.  Coming off an injury-marred season that required two wrist surgeries, Hudson reached terms on a one-year deal that includes a base salary …

The Return Of Corey Koskie?  —  By Alex Walsh [February 22 at 10:01am CST]  —  Kelsie Smith of the Pioneer Press reports that Corey Koskie will play for Team Canada in the WBC.  His appearance is motivated by a strong interest in returning to the major leagues, after a break from the game …