Strong start a ‘sigh of relief’ for Joba  —  Correction of mechanical flaw returns young righty to past form  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The final spot in the Yankees' starting rotation remains Joba Chamberlain's to lose, and a strong performance against the Reds on Tuesday displayed the progress that the organization wanted to see.

Cashman ‘not proactive’ in market  —  Yankees' GM foresees few opportunities to deal for third baseman  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Tuesday that he is “not optimistic” about acquiring another third baseman to fill in for Alex Rodriguez, believing his club can play on with what it has.

Dutch pull off second upset to advance  —  Come-from-behind victory in extras eliminates Dominican Republic  —  SAN JUAN, P.R. — The Netherlands pulled off another major upset on Tuesday night, when it came from behind in the 11th inning to beat the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in Game 5 of Pool D play of the World Baseball Classic.

Why the Red Sox had as good a winter as the Yankees  —  Signings of Smoltz, Penny, Baldelli and Saito fill needs without breaking bank  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — One team tried to solve its problems with $423 million worth of free agents.  The other team brought in a bunch of guys who spent about 423 million days in the trainer's room.

Rejected nuggets  —  There's another fantastic baseball book available to kick off the baseball season: the Bill James Gold Mine 2009.  This year's Gold Mine follows the same structure as last year's: lots of James' excellent essays on baseball and sabermetrics, as well as 30 individual team sections filled …

Cubs manager Lou Piniella promises spot to Kosuke Fukudome  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Kosuke Fukudome stopped by the Cubs' clubhouse Tuesday before working out with Team Japan in Scottsdale.  —  Though ESPN analyst Steve Phillips recently said manager Lou Piniella mishandled the Japanese outfielder …

Sanchez's exit a chance for others  —  Relievers have better shot as Mets likely to carry seven in bullpen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Tom Martin carried a glove, a baseball and the boot he had been given to protect his calf as he left the Mets' Spring Training clubhouse Tuesday, not to return until Thursday afternoon.

Schmidt: David game for Fame  —  TORONTO - Mike Schmidt calls himself “a nearly 60-year-old man who's a fan of these young stars and their lives,” so he's been watching David Wright closely in the week or so the two have been together with Team USA.  And Schmidt, perhaps the greatest third baseman …

Spring Game 15: Yankees at Tigers  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Some big lefty, CC something.  Then Aceves, Bruney, Veras, Melancon, Jackson.  —  Notes: The Yankees are in Lakeland for the second time in four days. ...  The team is off tomorrow and nothing is planned baseball-wise at Steinbrenner Field. ...

Arbitration, pitch counts now the new barometers for making MLB teams  —  JUPITER, Fla. - It happens every spring, or at least it used to - a highly touted rookie tears it up, drawing rave after rave from opposing scouts, and forces his way onto the opening-day roster to launch a career of stardom.

Rizzo steps up to plate  —  Taming Nationals' disarray is job 1 of acting GM  —  VIERA, Fla. — Mike Rizzo arrives for work every day looking like the most comfortable man around, the events surrounding the Washington Nationals for the past three weeks notwithstanding.

‘Rusty’ Pelfrey declares himself ready for Saturday return  —  Mike Pelfrey tossed a bullpen session Wednesday morning at the Mets' otherwise quiet complex on an off-day.  It was Pelfrey's first time on a mound since being diagnosed with a mild strain in his lower left leg.

Fidel Castro's Reflection on Second Baseball Classic  —  Reflections by Comrade Fidel  —  I am trying to follow the events of the Baseball Classic, thanks to our national television services.  —  The game between the teams from Japan and South Korea, Cuba's strongest opponents, took place on Monday March 9.

Sox re-sign 19  —  The Red Sox agreed to terms with 19 players on one-year contracts this afternoon — including lefthander Jon Lester.  —  But no worries, Sox fans.  The signing today was more or less a formality and doesn't impact the long-term contract Lester is reportedly on the verge of signing.

Gonzalez knocks in 6 in Mexico's 14-3 win  —  Buzz up!  —  MEXICO CITY (AP)—Adrian Gonzalez hit two home runs and a double and drove in six runs to lead Mexico to a 14-3 victory Monday night that eliminated South Africa from the World Baseball Classic.  —  Elmer Dessens allowed two runs …

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.