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. ...

Getting ahead early could solve woes  —  Mariners outscored by 72 runs in first three innings last season  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners are still uncertain about who will fill the closer role this season, but the first three innings might be even more important.

Newhan released by Astros  —  Veteran irked by exclusion from backup-infielder competition  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Astros trimmed two players from their roster Sunday morning when they released infielder David Newhan and reassigned Chad Paronto to Minor League camp.

Wilkerson leaves team  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona confirmed to reporters this morning that outfielder Brad Wilkerson has left the Red Sox.  He doesn't figure to be in the major league team's plans heading into the regular season.  —  Wilkerson, who had signed a minor-league deal …

A.J. believes in Jeter's pitch  —  TAMPA - A.J. Burnett wasn't a member of the 2008 Yankees, yet he may have played as big a role as anybody in the Bombers' streak of 13 straight years in the postseason coming to an end.  —  Burnett went 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in five starts against the Yankees …

Giles Released; Mayberry and Carrasco Optioned  —  The Phillies made a few roster moves this morning:  — Marcus Giles has been released.  — John Mayberry Jr. and Carlos Carrasco have been optioned to Minor League camp.  — Mike Koplove, Jason Ellison and Pablo Ozuna have been told …

Reliever Will Ohman tries out for specialist role  —  Veteran is offered a contract, believed to be for $1 million for one season, to be the Dodgers' situational left-hander but the team is still awaiting a decision.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — The Dodgers remain active on the free-agent market …

Rangers snag Koshansky off waivers  —  Club adds depth at first base with former Rockies farmhand  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers, concerned about their depth at first base, have claimed first baseman Joe Koshansky off waivers from the Colorado Rockies.  He has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma.

Seaver & Piazza to return … Best Of NYDN.com

Delgado won't dwell on spring stats, even good ones  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Jerry Manuel has seen enough positives from Carlos Delgado in spring training to believe the Mets first baseman isn't going to wait until July to start hitting this time.  —  “From what I'm seeing,” Manuel said …

Rule 5: More competition for Corona (updated)  —  I'll update this post later if Reegie Corona (right) plays in the Mariners game.  For now, there are two bits of Rule 5 news.  —  First, Ivan Nova has cleared waivers and been given back to the Yankees, who have assigned him to Double-A Trenton.

Angels: Matthews leaves camp after meeting with Scioscia, Reagins  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Disgruntled outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. was given permission to leave camp for a day today after being told in a closed-door meeting with Manager Mike Scioscia and General Manager Tony Reagins that he would open …

Albaladejo opening Yankees' eyes  —  Right-handed reliever the favorite to land final bullpen spot  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees originally planned to bring a long reliever north for the season opener, but Jonathan Albaladejo has forced them to reconsider.

Willis placed on 15-day DL  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The long-speculated decision on Dontrelle Willis ended up being an unexpected trip to the disabled list.  The Tigers placed the former 22-game winner on the 15-day DL Sunday morning with anxiety disorder.  —  The diagnosis, Willis said …