Breaking news: Gardner in CF  —  Joe Girardi just announced that Brett Gardner will be the center fielder.  —  More to come.  —  UPDATE, 5:08 p.m.: The plan is for Melky to be on the team, Girardi said.  But saying that is the plan is like saying he could be traded. ...

Tigers talk trade with Mets, put Willis on DL with anxiety disorder  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers had serious discussions with the New York Mets in recent days about relief pitcher Brian Stokes, the Free Press has learned, but the chances for a deal fell dramatically when the Mets determined …

Wilkerson out?  —  The Red Sox have not made a formal announcement yet, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona acknowledged this morning that Brad Wilkerson has at least temporarily left the club to assess his options, suggesting that he will not part of the Red Sox' plans when the club breaks camp.

Morrow's starting days done — for good  —  UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Meant to update you in this earlier, but the M's have acquired Chris Burke from the Padres for cash considerations.  He spent parts of five seasons with the Astros and will provide insurance — likely from Class AAA …

Rox face Holliday; Rangers claim Koshansky  —  Phoenix - Comfortable in his green and gold, Matt Holliday starts in left field and hits cleanup for the A's today as they host the Rockies.  —  “I feel like I'm in a good place,” Holliday said before the game.  “I feel healthy, everything's good.”

Chicago Cubs name Kevin Gregg closer  —  MESA, Ariz. - Cubs manager Lou Piniella named Kevin Gregg the team's closer on Sunday over Carlos Marmol.  —  Piniella spoke to both pitchers this morning and made his announcement after batting practice at HoHoKam Park.

“At Bat 2009” Now Available for iPhone and iPod Touch  —  MLB.com announced today that that MLB.com At Bat 2009 application developed exclusively for iPhone and iPod Touch, is now available from the Apple App Store.  —  Gameday Audio  —  This season's MLB.com At Bat will feature the addition …

Improved Royals could surprise in 2009  —  We all know that Kansas City is a small market.  Fine.  But we also know what it was like before any player made $3 million per year, when in the George Brett era — from 1975 through 1989 — the Royals averaged 89 wins a season …

Live Stream Of What We See At Citi Field Today  —  Right now, all you will see above is an old video that we took on Madison Avenue.  In a few hours, we will be at Citi Field for the first event there when St. Johns takes on Georgetown.  We plan on trying out our newest foray as 21st century digital boys …

Reds Ready to Get Back in the Black  —  Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.  —  As pundits look for the 2009 version of the Tampa Bay Rays, many have pointed to the Cincinnati Reds as a breakout team.  —  And while it's hard to pick any team to improve by 31 games …

Weaver set to write new chapter in LA  —  Veteran trying to win job for Torre, who was critical of pitcher in book  —  PHOENIX — If you haven't read “The Yankee Years,” the portrayal of right-handed pitcher Jeff Weaver is not very flattering.  —  The authors refer to Weaver 11 times …

Mariners trade for Chris Burke  —  On a day when plenty of things are going on around Peoria, general manager Jack Zduriencik added another move to the fray, acquiring utility infielder/outfielder Chris Burke from the San Diego Padres for future cash considerations.

Spring Game 32: Pirates at Yankees  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: A.J. Burnett, who is scheduled for at least 90 pitches.  Rivera, Coke, Marte and Veras are on the list to follow.  —  PIRATES  —  Morgan LF  —  Sanchez 2B  —  McLouth CF  —  Doumit C  —  Adam LaRoche 1B  —  Hinske DH

HALL OF FAME PITCHER TO MR. PRESIDENT  —  Nolan Ryan is the only club president in baseball history who pitched seven no-hitters, won 324 games, struck out 5,714 batters, including 383 in one record-setting season, and received 98.79 percent of the votes in his election to the Hall of Fame.