Mets notes: Pedro whispers  —  Don't rule out Pedro Martinez just yet.  While some Mets' officials continue to claim that the marriage has ended, one person familiar with the discussions said Sunday that the Mets are among the teams that have begun to request financial requirements with the 37-year-old right-hander.

Dice-K, Japan own Cuba in Classic play  —  Righty throws six shutout innings, remains undefeated in tournament  —  SAN DIEGO — Lightning struck twice in the same ballpark for the Japanese on Sunday.  —  Just like three years ago when Japan defeated the Cubans here to win …

Padres pick up reliever Sanchez  —  GM Towers says former Mets pitcher will compete for 'pen role  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — In their quest to solidify their bullpen, the Padres signed 29-year-old right-hander Duaner Sanchez to a Minor League contract, general manager Kevin Towers confirmed on Sunday.

AL East becoming a pitching division  —  There are variables in every case, such as the health of Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell, as well as B.J. Upton's left shoulder.  But as we reach the Ides of March, it remains evident that the American League East …

Hamels Has Elbow Soreness, Flying to Philadelphia  —  Cole Hamels has soreness in his left elbow and is flying to Philadelphia tonight to be examined tomorrow by team physician Michael Ciccotti.  —  “We do not think it is serious, at least at this time” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

MRIs for Cano, Marte pushed back  —  Examinations moved to Monday; Cashman updates A-Rod's status  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have pushed back the scheduled MRIs for Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte, with both players now expected to have the examinations on Monday.

Mets' Evans making Manuel rethink trip to minors  —  JUPITER, Fla. - One day after saying he thought Nick Evans would be better off playing every day in Triple-A instead of sitting on the major-league bench, manager Jerry Manuel said Evans' strong showing in spring training might force the Mets to reconsider that.

The Nats' Love Don't Cost A Thing  —  In November, the Nationals contacted Julian Tavarez, inviting him to spring training on a non-guaranteed minor league contract.  Tavarez, 35, said no.  —  But Tavarez kept on waiting.  Spring training neared, and the right-hander was still very much unemployed.

Hensley out of rotation race  —  Ortiz, Capellan front-runners for Astros' fifth and final spot  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Clay Hensley is out of the mix for a job in the Astros' rotation, manager Cecil Cooper revealed Sunday morning.  —  The race for the fifth-starter job appears to be down to three …

Bondy: Bernie deserves a better sendoff  —  In case you missed it, scandal groped clumsily, shamefully last week for Bernie Williams, of all people.  And for that, we all ought to be ashamed of ourselves.  —  It turns out there is a limit to the cynicism that abounds inside a sports columnist.

Tampa Bay Rays' J.P. Howell finds niche for Team USA on World Baseball Classic squad  —  MIAMI — Even in a Team USA clubhouse filled with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, it didn't take long for colorful Rays reliever J.P. Howell — one of the more anonymous players — to become the center of attention.

Giants spring training: Mays offers Rowand tips  —  (03-15) 17:58 PDT Scottsdale — , Ariz. - When Willie Mays talks, you listen.  If you're a center fielder, you take notes until your fingers blister.  —  When Aaron Rowand took a seat at Mays' table in the Giants' clubhouse last week, something important was happening.

Theo Epstein is the Anti- Scott Boras  —  Red Sox' proactive deals run counter to agent  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  When the signing of Jon Lester [stats] to a five-year deal worth $30 million is announced as expected today, the Red Sox [team stats] …