Duaner Sanchez released  —  GM Omar Minaya just announced minutes ago that Duaner Sanchez has been released.  Sanchez knew he had to fight for a job this spring — he said as much after yesterday's outing — but the Mets didn't hesitate to cut him loose.  I figured Minaya would wait …

Pettitte pain-free in Grapefruit debut … TAMPA - For the first time since the middle of last season, Andy Pettitte threw a pitch without pain.  —  Granted, none of his 31 throws counted toward the Yankees' goal of a ticket back to October, but a healthy Pettitte figures to be a key component …

STRANGE LOVE: YANKS, SAWX FORM BOND  —  TORONTO - Love is in the air between the Yankees and Red Sox.  —  Maybe “love” is a little strong, but Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis don't mind saying they have formed a bond with Derek Jeter as members of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Bravissimo: Italy boots out Canada  —  Denorfia's 4-for-4 night, Cooper's strong 'pen work carry Italians  —  TORONTO — With their backs against the walls, the Italians showed the baseball world that they should not be taken lightly.  —  Center fielder Chris Denorfia led the charge with four hits …

Tampa Bay Rays, Scott Kazmir disagree on why slider failed him, agree that he needs it back  —  Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir says he didn't lose his feel for his slider last year.  Instead, the left-hander said, he had trouble extending his arm, which caused him to throw his slider less often.

Andruw Jones regrets failing the Dodgers  —  Outfielder, now trying to catch on with the Texas Rangers, says he's sorry he 'didn't stand up to my reputation' last season in L.A.  —  “Are you saying you're sorry?”  —  I'm standing in a spacious Texas Rangers clubhouse, on a gorgeous spring morning …

Towers shopping for a bargain  —  GM in need of pitchers, but he has little to offer  —  TUCSON - Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said Monday he is growing increasingly willing to trade for pitching going into Opening Day.  —  “We'll see what is out there,” he said.

Entering the mix  —  JUPITER, Fla. — With their first pick of what the Cardinals billed as their transformative and revitalizing draft, they planned to select an athletic shortstop from Georgia Tech named Tyler Greene.  —  As the 28th pick of the 2005 draft approached, however …

Making sense of Manny  —  It's become fashionable in Boston to bash Manny Ramirez.  His huge salary and occasional bizarre behavior are much better remembered than his Hall of Fame numbers and World Series MVP.  But even his detractors would have to admit they never really understood the guy.

Banned Substances Found on Materials Linked to Clemens  —  Federal authorities investigating Roger Clemens on perjury charges have found performance-enhancing substances on the drug paraphernalia that his former trainer said he used to inject Clemens, according to people briefed on the case.

Baserunning and Leverage  —  Let's set the scene.  —  2004 ALCS.  Yankees vs. Red Sox.  Game 4.  Red Sox down a run, Dave Roberts on first, ninth inning, no outs. … 2007 National League one-game playoff.  Padres vs. Rockies. 13th inning tie game, Matt Holliday on third, no outs.

Kevin Millwood Pitched Poorly Against the Dodgers Monday, but More Importantly He Pitched  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The results from Kevin Millwood's third spring outing Monday stuck out sorely.  He allowed 10 runs and 12 hits in three innings in the Rangers' 13-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chavez shut down with sore shoulder  —  Former Gold Glover was scheduled to play in field on Monday  —  PHOENIX — The on-again, off-again comeback by Oakland's Eric Chavez hit another snag on Monday, as he was scratched from his expected spring fielding debut at third base because of soreness …