3 UP: SANTANA, GIRARDI, CHURCH  —  1. I wrote this column about Mets ace Johan Santana in the Post today.  Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen told me that over the final two months of last season into this spring training camp that Santana has taken on Oliver Perez as a “special project.”

Top 100 Prospects: 1-20  —  From Matt Wieters to Gordon Beckham  —  See also: John Manuel and Jim Callis chat about the Top 100 at 1 p.m. ET.  —  This is Baseball America's 20th annual Top 100 Prospects list, our definitive annual list of the absolute best young talent in the game …

Boston Red Sox 2009 regular season game times to move from 7:05 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today announced that start times for 2009 regular season games played at Fenway Park previously scheduled for 7:05 p.m. will be moved to 7:10 p.m. This time change …

MLB investigators to meet with A-Rod this week  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Major League Baseball's investigations team intends to meet with Alex Rodriguez between tomorrow and Friday to discuss his recent confessions of illegal performance-enhancing drug use, a person familiar with the situation told Newsday.

Jon Heyman: Ramirez, Dodgers closer, but deal still not imminent … PORT ST. LUCIE — Both Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers have done some compromising in recent days, according to people familiar with the negotiations, as the two sides seem to now understand that they aren't going to get exactly what they want in a potential deal.

Yankees' Posada making progress with shoulder  —  TAMPA, Fla. - When Jorge Posada reported for spring training and began making a few tosses, things weren't looking so good for the Yankees' 37-year-old catcher.  —  “To tell you the truth,” Posada said yesterday, “when I came down here and started throwing …

St. Louis Cardinals' Brendan Ryan sidelined by sore wrist  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals infielder Brendan Ryan expects to miss the club's Grapefruit League opener and to be sidelined several days with a swollen tendon in his right wrist.  Ryan, who is vying for either of the open jobs …

Cubs' Marmol takes pass on pitching for Dominican in World Baseball Classic  —  MESA, Ariz. — After a sleepless Sunday night, Carlos Marmol decided it was better for his career and his team to concentrate on closing for the Cubs than to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic.

Nats Ownership Encouraging Investigation Of Bowden  —  Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden said on Monday that he has done nothing wrong.  The federal investigators looking into Bowden still aren't so sure, a Major League Baseball source said.  The Nationals, meantime …

Fun and Fellowship on Girardi's Field Trip  —  TAMPA, Fla. — As long as he wears a crew cut, Joe Girardi understands that people will consider him a taskmaster.  He is in better shape than most managers.  He is well educated and meticulous in his preparation.  The label is bound to stick.

South Sider to the end?  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — It's not a topic Paul Konerko dwells on — maybe because, in the back of his mind, he doesn't like how the end game could play out.  —  After earning 10-and-5 status last year — 10 major-league seasons and at least five with the same club …

Macha sets up Brewers' spring rotation  —  Skipper says he won't name regular-season starters until March 25  —  PHOENIX — Stressing that the order could change before Opening Day, Brewers manager Ken Macha set his Spring Training starting rotation on Monday and tabbed right-hander Jeff Suppan …

Keith Law Talks Nationals  —  A favorite among many Nationals fans, Keith Law agreed to a Q&A about the Nationals on topics ranging from how the organization is run to some scouting reports on particular players.  —  Law is currently a writer for ESPN.  Prior to that, he spent 4½ years …

Ron Kittle, former Chicago White Sox slugger, says he fears for safety of steroids whistle-blower Jose Canseco  —  'I wonder who's going to be the first one to shoot him'  —  Former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle says he fears for the safety of steroids whistle-blower Jose Canseco.

End of an era?  —  Irsay will make last-ditch effort to retain Harrison  —  Marvin Harrison's 13-year, record-setting run in Indianapolis appears all but over — but not before a last-minute negotiating attempt today by Jim Irsay.  —  The Colts owner insisted late Monday that Tom Condon …

Wells out with hamstring strain  —  Center fielder expected to miss one month after reaggravating injury  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays have experienced life without Vernon Wells before, and the club is preparing for precisely that once again this spring.

Behind the scenes with Yankees' pro scouts  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Once the season starts in April, Rick Williams estimates he will see about 180 baseball games.  That's roughly one game every day for six months.  —  “In my job, the days off come in the winter,” he said.