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.

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.

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.

Hello, Livan: Niese optioned  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets took another step toward making Livan Hernandez their No. 5 starter job today, optioning left-handed prospect Jonathon Niese.  —  The Mets also optioned reliever Connor Robertson while reassigning catcher Robinson Cancel and relievers Jon Switzer …

Nunez could see bigger role in 'pen  —  With Lindstrom, Proctor hurting, righty may close games  —  JUPITER, Fla. — It's unknown what will happen over the next few weeks as expected Marlins setup man Scott Proctor and closer Matt Lindstrom battle through injuries in the race to be ready by Opening Day.

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.

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 …

Marlins assign eight to Minors camp  —  West, Collazo, Standridge, Sinkbeil, Morrison among demotions  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Marlins sent down another wave of prospects Thursday, as left-handers Willie Collazo and Sean West, right-handers Brett Sinkbeil and Jason Standridge …

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 …

Braves beat Tigers; Kawakami misses start  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami was scratched from a start Thursday because of “right shoulder fatigue,” which the team and the pitcher said was not a problem that would hinder him as opening day draws closer.

Beimel, Pudge contracts show deep cuts  —  Evidence of a depressed free-agent market was driven home today with acquisition of official contract figures for reliever Joe Beimel and catcher Pudge Rodriguez.  —  Beimel, considered one of the most attractive left-handed relievers on the market …

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 …

Under The Knife  —  Cutting it Close  —  The reports from early in the week read as very positive.  “No structural damage” is certainly better than the alternatives, but it's important to remember that's usually not the whole story.  The doctors or the team can safely say no structural damage …