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 …

Girardi pumped about Posada's arm strength  —  Good morning Sandy loyalists, long-ago beat guy Peter Botte filling in down in Tampa for the weekend so your esteemed regular blogger can score some Q.T. with the family back in Jersey.  —  My first day away from pucks - and apparently …

Mauer: Little chance for Opening Day  —  Twins GM Bill Smith announced a few minutes ago that every doctor who has been consulted on Joe Mauer's lower back pain concurs that he has inflammation of the sacroiliac joint - the joint that connects the bottom of the spine to the top of the pelvis.

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.

Ramirez embraces change, while Reyes resists  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A difference now can be found between Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes, a pair of gifted 25-year-old shortstops.  Both were offered the same proposition this spring: move from leadoff to third in the batting order.  Their responses were telling.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Mets 4, Orioles 0  — Oliver Perez pitched three scoreless innings in his first start for the Mets since Feb. 26, but he still needs work to undo the faulty mechanics he developed during his time away at the WBC.  Fortunately for the Mets, they have time to fix him.

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 …

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.

John Lackey says Angels ‘not trying very hard’ on contract talks  —  The ace of the Angels' starting staff says he would like to remain with the team, but he's ‘surprised’ at the pace of negotiations.  As for a hometown discount?  Forget it, he says.  —  Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. …

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 …

Atkins out, Street to work back-to-back, Rangers bring Josh Hamilton  —  The Rockies return to Hi Corbett Field today with a strong lineup.  Third baseman Garrett Atkins is not playing, still hitting off a tee as he recovers from an injured right groin.  —  Manager Clint Hurdle told …