Jeter to bat first in new look lineup  —  The Yankees' lineup will have a new look this season.  —  Derek Jeter will be the leadoff hitter and Johnny Damon will bat second, a top of the lineup switch the Yankees will use for the rest of spring training.  —  Manager Joe Girardi said the reason …

Bob Sheppard not expected at new Yankee Stadium opener  —  Bob Sheppard likely will not be at the public address microphone when the Yankees officially open their new stadium April 16, his wife, Mary, said Thursday.  —  “His doctor said he doesn't have the stamina yet to go back at this time …

Rangers cut ex-All-Star Donnelly  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Brendan Donnelly felt he was pitching “pretty good.”  The Rangers felt otherwise.  —  Donnelly, a former All-Star reliever for the Angels, was released by the Rangers on Thursday morning, leaving seven relievers fighting for four spots in the bullpen.

Baseball's Best Commissioner  —  George Will responds to column on Bud Selig.  —  Dear Steve:  —  Although I count myself among the many millions of admirers you have earned as a vigorous defender of rigorous thinking, I must file a respectful dissent from your recent column excoriating Commissioner Selig.

O's to reassign Wieters to Norfolk  —  Club to make expected move official Monday; MacPhail: ‘I think he had a good camp’  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Orioles told top prospect Matt Wieters on Thursday that he will be reassigned to the Triple-A Norfolk roster effective Monday.

Perez responds to Warthen's allegations  —  Oliver Perez denied this morning that he is out of shape, only a little behind after making only two starts in the span of 19 days for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.  Pitching coach Dan Warthen made the claim that Perez had put …

2009 Season Begins With MLB Blackout Policy Still a Bone of Contention  —  “We're still working on it.”  —  That was is the word from MLB on its television blackout policy that affects not only MLB Extra Innings, but national broadcasts on ESPN, TBS, and now MLB Network's Thursday Night Baseball.

Ichiro rejoins M's, calls jealous teammates ‘silly’  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki didn't want to spend time talking about jealous teammates, a divisive clubhouse or record flops from a year ago.  —  To him, it's all just “silly.”  —  Suzuki arrived at Seattle Mariners spring training …

Initial sale of Padres completed  —  Moorad to step in as VP/CEO in deal with majority owner Moores  —  Majority owner John Moores has completed an “initial transaction” by selling a one-third interest in the Padres to Jeff Moorad, a general partner of the Diamondbacks, and about a dozen partners.

Organizational Rankings: #3  —  As we reach the top three, you've probably noticed that they're all coming from the AL East.  It really is remarkable how strong that division is.  One of the three best teams in baseball isn't going to make the playoffs this year, and probably for the next few years.

Pirates-Ohman talks heat up  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates have aggressively ramped up their pursuit of free-agent reliever Will Ohman, to the point the parties have exchanged offers in the past week.  —  “They've definitely put themselves in the mix this week,” Page Odle, Ohman's agent, said tonight.

3+ Weeks later, and Jim Bowden is still a major pain in the ass.  —  3+ Weeks later, and  —  Jim Bowden is still a major pain in the ass.  —  Jimbo won't go away, ever.  —  The gift that keeps on giving: Jimbo's inexplicable handshake agreement with Dmitri Young forces Stan's hand …

1 Fish, 2 Fish: How the Marlins Stadium Deal Impacts the Rays  —  After more than a decade and three ownership groups, the club now called the Miami Marlins will soon have a new baseball-only facility to call their own.  With all the trimmings, the ballpark, parking, and infrastructure improvements …