Angels' Lackey seeking extension  —  Ace prepared to test free agency if deal not reached  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — After his most recent outing on Tuesday in Peoria, Ariz., against the Padres, John Lackey said his camp was waiting to hear back from the Angels on a proposal submitted to management for a contract extension.

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 …

Game recap: Mets 4, Orioles 0  —  Down and out  —  The Orioles had eight hits, but were shut out for the second time this spring and have now dropped four straight Grapefruit League games.  They had their chances today, particularly in the final two innings.

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.

David Wright's decision to play hurt irks NewYork Mets manager Jerry Manuel  —  David Wright took one for Team USA and stayed in the game — and that didn't sit well with his major league manager.  —  The New York Mets third baseman stayed in Wednesday's World Baseball Classic game against Venezuela …

Roy Oswalt will start for Team USA in WBC semifinals  —  LOS ANGELES — Roy Oswalt will start for the United States in its semifinal against Japan in the World Baseball Classic.  —  Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement Friday after the Americans worked out at Dodger Stadium.

Offseason In Review: Toronto Blue Jays  —  By Tim Dierkes [March 20 at 4:54pm CST]  —  Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Blue Jays.  Here's what we wrote about the team on October 3rd.  Changes for 2009:  —  Additions: Matt Clement, Mike Maroth, Ken Takahashi, Michael Barrett …

A mound of questions  —  Readers wonder what the Sox rotation will look like if everyone's healthy  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — It's almost six weeks into spring training, and already one member of the Red Sox has had surgery, pitchers are headed toward five innings at a clip, and my bracket is shredded beyond recognition.

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.

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.

Balester has up-and-down day  —  Young right-hander struggles in start against Tigers  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Collin Balester had his fifth start of the spring on Friday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium, and he ended up having another shaky outing.

Organizational Rankings: #11  —  Today, we keep looking at some teams that have legitimate hope, so it gets harder from here on out.  And, for those of you who haven't seen the previous parts (which are linked below), keep in mind that this is a forward looking exercise …

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.

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 …