Jeter hits 1st, Damon 2nd; it could stay that way  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Johnny Damon didn't even get two steps into the Yankees' clubhouse yesterday morning before manager Joe Girardi intercepted him.  —  “Just the man I want to see!”  Girardi said.  —  On that note, they entered …

Reds Values Return  —  The Cincinnati Reds have announced the return of $5 single game tickets and the debut of new value-priced concession items at Great American Ball Park for the 2009 season.  —  “We want fans to know that Reds baseball will continue to be an affordable entertainment destination …

So far, SNY closed to captioning  —  Carl DeStefanis is deaf, and thus doesn't bother with TV shows that do not offer closed captions.  —  One exception: Mets games on SNY, which he called “a continuous reminder of my disability.”  —  “I can't help but try to watch the Mets,” DeStefanis …

Exploitation, steroids hitting home in Dominican Republic  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — A mid-morning workout on a barren field during a bright Friday in March provides a picture of the dreams baseball engenders in this impoverished country of 9.5 million people.

Padres' ownership transition officially under way  —  Jeff Moorad, the new CEO of the Padres, donned a jersey at a news conference yesterday at Petco Park.  (Nelvin C. Cepeda / Union-Tribune)  —  Jeff Moorad assumed the dual roles of Padres CEO and vice chairman of the board Thursday …

CLEVELAND INDIANS  —  Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More  —  Indians won't pursue Cliff Lee contract extension this season, citing economic uncertainty  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia are left-handed starters, former teammates and have won the last two Cy Young awards in the American League.

Raissman: Meet the Mets' Carlin & Ojeda  —  It wasn't a mirage.  Still, it was a sight you would not expect to see on a beach in Tampa - a big fellow, wearing a trench coat, pacing back and forth in the sand.  Between two fingers was a lit cigarette.  The other hand was holding a cellphone, pressed to his ear.

Ichiro: Time to act like “professionals”  —  By the way, we're not doing Geoff Baker Live! today.  Sorry, but still too many technical issues.  We'll try again tomorrow.  —  So, Ichiro joined the team for the first time since he and Kenji Johjima helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic title.

Johan talks to Perez after tough outing  —  Mets ace expresses team's need for struggling hurler to right ship  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Long fingers are an advantage for a pitcher.  For a man generously listed as 6-foot tall, Johan Santana has relatively long fingers.

For Buchholz, it's a learning curve  —  Clay Buchholz has made it almost all the way back, and so the best thing for him now is to stop.  Take pause.  There is simply no point in destroying what it has taken an entire winter to rebuild.  —  Continuing his resurgent spring yesterday …

Skip Schumaker nails down 2B job  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The goal for Skip Schumaker is to be “average.”  —  Normally, that isn't a very lofty goal for a big leaguer.  But in the case of erstwhile outfielder Schumaker, who is trying to be a most-days second baseman in the big leagues …

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.

Oakland pitcher Justin Duchscherer likely to begin season on DL  —  PHOENIX — Oakland Athletics starter Justin Duchscherer had another setback in his rehabilitation from an elbow injury and will miss the start of the season.  —  Duchscherer had to stop playing long toss on Saturday morning …

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 …