Jeter is a beacon for the entire WBC  —  Buzz up!  —  LOS ANGELES - Whether you like the WBC or haven't given it any thought at all, whether you view it as the intergalactic baseball championship or little more than puffed-up batting practice, any standing it does have in this country is a reflection of Derek Jeter.

Jays' rotation door wide open  —  Eight pitches into yesterday's exhibition start against the Rays, Jays rookie left-hander Brad Mills had allowed two runs on a walk followed by a homer by left-handed hitting Carl Crawford.  —  Big picture, it seems the Jays have a wide-open race for the final …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Jeter's Big Hit: A 30,000 Square Foot House On Davis Islands  —  New York Yankees slugger Derek Jeter is building a behemoth of a mansion just a stone's throw from downtown Tampa.  —  Once completed, the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom house on Davis Islands will be 30,875 square feet, according to Hillsborough County public records.

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.

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.