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 …

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.

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 …

After Italy's Upset, Piazza Praises Yanks' Cervelli  —  TORONTO - If the Yankees are worried about Jorge Posada's shoulder, there's a pretty stellar catcher in the minors.  He is not a top prospect like Jesus Montero, and not an experienced major league back-up like Jose Molina and Kevin Cash.

And then there were cuts...  FORT MYERS, Fla. — All you Argenis Diaz fans out there will now have to travel to the player development complex to see the shortstop.  Pitcher Charlie Zink and catcher Carlos Maldonado have been reassigned to the minor league complex, and Diaz was optioned to Portland.

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 …

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.

Harper: Gardner's on center stage  —  TAMPA - The snickering is beginning to subside already.  Maybe the idea of Brett Gardner as the Yankees' everyday center fielder is not so crazy, after all.  —  Actually, the way he's going, maybe Gardner will hit cleanup during Alex Rodriguez's absence.

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.

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.

Cubs' Vizcaino in jeopardy of losing his spot in bullpen  —  Stiff competition may kick supposed locks to the curb  —  MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs' biggest question mark heading into the season is the bullpen, which was overhauled over the winter with the departures of Kerry Wood, Bob Howry and Michael Wuertz.