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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

“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 …

THE CITI FIELD DRESS REHEARSAL.  —  Like everyone else, we went out to Citi Field today to check the place out during the St. John's vs. Georgetown game.  Most people just wanted to walk around and see the new place.  There were cameras everywhere.  I felt sorry for the people who genuinely came …

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 …

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 …