Mets release Sanchez  —  Right-handed reliever never the same after 2006 accident  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Convinced that Duaner Sanchez would not regain the form he had in 2006, the Mets released the 29-year-old right-handed relief pitcher on Tuesday morning.

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.

Red Sox agree to terms with 19 players  —  The Red Sox announced that they had signed 19 players on the 40-man roster to contracts for the 2009 season.  The deadline to do so is March 11.  —  Agreeing to terms were pitchers Michael Bowden ($400,000), Clay Buchholz ($413,500), Manny Delcarmen …

Kearns, Eckstein, and Adjustments  —  So I have — in the past, by my fellow scribes - been accused of being the president of the Austin Kearns Apologists Club.  It's a nice club over which to preside, because I'm the only one who wants to go to the meetings, and therefore I don't have to consult with anyone else about times or places.

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.

Amezaga returns to South Florida from Mexico's team in WBC with stiffness in knee  —  JUPITER — Marlins utility player Alfredo Amezaga returned to South Florida from the World Baseball Classic on Monday after experiencing stiffness in his left knee.  —  Amezaga is expected to be evaluated by team doctors Tuesday.

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 …

Braves release RHP Lerew, re-assign 3 others  —  The Braves released right-handed pitcher Anthony Lerew in their first round of roster cuts on Tuesday.  —  Right-handed pitchers Rafael Cruz and Emiliano Fruto, and left-handed pitcher Juan Perez were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Minaya: Pagan debating surgery  —  VIERA, Fla. — Angel Pagan is still mulling over surgery to repair the bone spur in his right elbow, GM Omar Minaya said today.  If Pagan opts for surgery, which appears likely, he would miss just 6-to-8 weeks and not the entire season.

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

Sheets rehabbing with Rangers doctor  —  Texas GM says ‘no connection’ between pitcher's work and team  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers might not be done with Ben Sheets.  —  Sheets, who is recovering from surgery on his right elbow, is doing his rehabilitation work at TMI Sports Medicine in Arlington …

Sizing up the spring  —  Just another thought on A-Rod  —  When I went down to the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic team practice before A-Rod opted to shut it down for the tournament and have hip surgery, I got to talk to him a little bit.  He came right up to me and said …

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.

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.