Boone leaves Astros for heart surgery  —  Infielder's career in doubt, but condition ‘not an emergency’  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Astros infielder Aaron Boone announced this morning that he will leave the Astros to have a bicuspid aortic valve eventually repaired.

You can Wright it down, USA is in semis  —  Americans put up dramatic three-run rally in ninth to beat Puerto Rico  —  MIAMI — Chants of “USA!  USA!  USA!” rang through Dolphin Stadium as Team USA players piled on David Wright near second base.  —  The calendar may say March …

Pirates option Gorzelanny, Tabata to minors (updated)  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — In a move that narrows the starting-rotation candidates to six and with Ian Snell set to return to their exhibition rotation soon, the Pirates this morning sent down three-year starter Tom Gorzelanny two days …

Sox release Josh Bard  —  Josh Bard's second stint with the Red Sox was even briefer than his first.  —  The Red Sox announced this morning that they have placed the 30-year old catcher on unconditional release waivers.  General manager Theo Epstein indicated that Bard's departure means …

New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui won't play in field until at least June  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Hideki Matsui won't play in the outfield for the New York Yankees until at least interleague road games in June and will be restricted to designated hitter and pinch-hitting appearances until then.

Nats Release Hill, Sign Beimel To One-Year, $2 Million Deal  —  The Nationals today released starting pitcher Shawn Hill and signed free agent left-handed relief pitcher Joe Beimel to a one-year, $2.0 million deal.  Both moves can be attributed to uncertainty.

Andruw Jones could opt out of minor-league deal with Texas Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Center fielder Andruw Jones had a message from agent Scott Boras on his cellphone when he headed to the clubhouse Tuesday, and the five-time All-Star assumed it was to talk about his future with the Rangers.

JOBA IS PLAN B FOR CLOSE CALL  —  TAMPA - If Mariano Rivera's health falters and he is unable to close, the likelihood is Joba Chamberlain would be switched into the role, multiple Yankees officials told The Post.  —  Rivera took a convincing step toward demonstrating full health …

A-Rod magazine photos make teammates wonder  —  In the latest issue of Details, Alex Rodriguez appears to kiss himself in a photo shoot for the magazine.  (Details Magazine)  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Even when Alex Rodriguez is in Colorado recovering from hip surgery, he manages to grab headlines.

Organizational Rankings, Part 2  —  Last Year's Ranking: 2  —  Why They Might Be Better Than This: Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade …

60 seconds with Marlins pitcher Logan Kensing  —  Do you have a duck fetish?  —  I have no fetish with ducks.  My mom always said that ducks in some cultures are considered really good luck.  So once a month I get a new one (from her) - rubber duck, stuffed duck, a duck.  —  Every month?

Your Opening Day Starter... John Lannan  —  John Lannan is 24 years old.  In 2008, he was a rookie.  In fact, he spent the first days of that season in the minors.  But given how Lannan has performed since — how the team views him as an anchor in its rotation — his latest step is no surprise.

Royals request unconditional release waivers on pitcher Jimmy Gobble  —  Pitcher Anthony Lerew Signed to Minor League Contract  —  The Kansas City Royals today have requested Unconditional Release Waivers on left-handed pitcher Jimmy Gobble.  In addition, the Royals have signed right-handed …

HoJo relishes Wright's success  —  Jerry Manuel and hitting coach Howard Johnson both missed David Wright's ninth-inning heroics for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night.  —  “I went to bed early,” HoJo said.  “I was exhausted.  I can't stay up that late anymore.”

Cards payroll is going down  —  Taking into account base salaries, disabled players and termination pay, the Cardinals have obligated about $93.2 million to the projected 25-man roster for the April 6 season opener against Pittsburgh.  —  The number drops from 2008's $101.792 million season-opening figure …

Spring Game 22: Yankees at Astros  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Chien-Ming Wang followed by Brett Tomko, Jose Veras, Phil Coke and Jon Albaladejo.  —  ASTROS  —  Bourn CF  —  Smith 2B  —  Berkman 1B  —  Lee LF  —  Tejada SS  —  Blum DH  —  Johnson 3B  —  Bogusevic 2B  —  Towles C