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.”

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

The Sandman rules in pool  —  The Yankees had two Eight-Ball tournaments.  Mariano Rivera won both of them, once paired with Phil Coke and the second time with Andy Pettitte.  —  There will be some quotes and some photos shortly.  —  UPDATE, 3:00 p.m.: Via a pool reporter, some comments were obtained.

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.

X-rays reveal small cheek fracture for Astros' Erstad  —  Outfielder not expected to miss much playing time  —  X-rays taken Monday revealed a small fracture on Darin Erstad's right cheekbone.  —  Resources  —  Sorry, your version of Flash doesn't support this video.