Yankees' Gardner-Cabrera battle will continue  —  TAMPA, Fla. - The update on the Yankees' centerfield race: It's still too close to call.  —  Manager Joe Girardi said he's pleased with the play of candidates Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera and expects the evaluating process to continue right …

Jones to stay through weekend  —  Veteran unlikely to make Rangers' Opening Day roster  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Andruw Jones has been told he is not expected to make the Rangers Opening Day roster, but he will stay with the team through the weekend.

Ramirez effect extends to future Dodger contracts  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) -Manny Ramirez's presence will be felt long after his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers ends.  The slugger's recent signing has inspired the club to institute a so-called “Ramirez provision” in all of its future contracts.

Mike Pelfrey Experiments With His Pitches  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After Mike Pelfrey gave up just one run and three hits over six innings in a 12-1 victory over Houston on Thursday, he said he felt more comfortable this spring than in the past because he is assured a spot in the starting rotation.

Niese out of fifth starter's mix  —  Jon Niese has been reassigned to minor-league camp, further solidifying Livan Hernandez as the fifth starter.  Omar Minaya acknowledged the fifth starter will come from camp, and he could only list Freddy Garcia and marginally Nelson Figueroa as other candidates.

Nationals make third round of cuts  —  Four are sent to Minor League camp; two are optioned to Triple-A  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals made their third round of roster cuts after their 5-4 victory over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon.  —  The team sent outfielder Ryan Langerhans …

Wang grounds Astros in Yanks' win  —  Ten groundouts occupy five innings of one-run ball; Damon hitless  —  YANKEES 4, ASTROS 1  —  Astros at the plate: Jason Smith tripled and scored in the first inning on a Carlos Lee hit.  —  Yankees at the plate: The Yankees scored two runs off Doug Brocail …

How to fix the World Baseball Classic  —  Holding WBC semis and finals during July's All-Star week would produce great theater  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — I stood with a longtime baseball man this week, watching what passes these days for who's-No.-94-out-there spring-training baseball.

Horrifying accident didn't stop Cubs' Hill  —  Buzz up!  —  MESA, Ariz. - They're called dados, circular saw blades that come in stacks, and they're used by woodworkers to cut joints.  Cabinetmakers use dado cuts to make slots for shelves.  —  Koyie Hill, the big league catcher and son …

Willis tries on old delivery for size  —  Tigers hurler returns to trademark leg kick during rough outing Thursday  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Dontrelle Willis is still trying to find his old form.  In the process, he has gotten back to his old delivery.  —  The change became noticeable in his third, and final, inning of work.

Pudge Rodriguez officially an Astro after passing physical  —  KISSIMMEE, Florida (AP) — Ivan Rodriguez's $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros was finalized Friday after the catcher passed his physical.  —  “We're very happy to have him here,” general manager Ed Wade said.

Prosecutor advises probation, no jail for Tejada … NEW YORK — The United States Attorney's office has recommended that Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada receive a sentence of probation for lying to congressional investigators in 2005, according to a memorandum filed on Thursday in Washington, D.C., federal court.