Gary Sheffield released by Detroit Tigers  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have released nine-time All-Star Gary Sheffield, who is one home run away from 500 for his career.  —  Detroit parted ways with the designated hitter Tuesday after a disappointing stay with the Tigers.

Murphy nails down No. 2 spot in lineup  —  Hernandez officially the fifth starter; Takahashi signs Minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Less than four days after he said he felt inclined to use Luis Castillo as his No. 2 hitter, manager Jerry Manuel said on Monday night that Daniel Murphy …

Ollie sharp, helps calm Mets' fears  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Oliver Perez can exhale.  So can Jerry Manuel.  —  After a rocky showing in the World Baseball Classic, then a subpar outing last week against the Tigers, Perez looked far more like the pitcher the Mets signed to a three-year …

An Opening Day preview?  —  The Red Sox are getting ready to face the Tampa Bay Rays, the team they'll face next Monday in Game 1, but the above title refers as much to today's lineup as the opponent.  This is probably the lineup the Red Sox will go with to start the year, starter Clay Buchholz aside.

Chipper close to contract extension  —  Deal would likely allow veteran to finish career with Braves  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It appears Chipper Jones may get his wish to remain with the Braves throughout his entire career.  —  A Major League source has indicated that Jones and the Braves …

A big night for The YES Network  —  The YES Network can be mystifying.  Why, for instance, will only two of the 12 Yankees games from March 20 to April 1 televised?  That's just when spring training gets interesting.  And why do they need so many announcers?  Why is Kim Jones not used during the game to report news?

Q.& A.: Mets Bloggers Assess the Coming Season  —  As opening day draws near, The Times will be previewing the Yankees' and Mets' coming seasons from all angles, with analysis from Tyler Kepner, Ben Shpigel, Jack Curry and many others.  But with so much happening this off-season there are a lot of opinions to go around.

The scouts weigh in on camp performances  —  This is the never-ending spring training, almost as long as the artificial spring of 1995, when replacement players were used, and which turned into a scramble after the players' strike was settled.  I asked some talent evaluators …

NL CENTRAL PREVIEW  —  The division preview series continues with the big one, the six team National League Central.  I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR.  —  Chicago Cubs  — Position player WAR: 28.0  — Starters WAR: 15.7

Spring training: McCutchen's demotion has asterisk  —  Pirates can delay free agency by keeping top prospect in minors for stint  —  Left: Andrew McCutchen — 22, hit .318 with two HRs, seven RBIs and two steals this spring.  Right: Brian Bixler — 26, batted .345 with three RBIs and three steals this spring

A's Trade OF Matt Murton to Colorado for IF Corey Wimberly  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's traded outfielder Matt Murton to the Colorado Rockies for infielder Corey Wimberly, the club announced today.  Wimberly will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.

Nick Green, Chris Carter make the cut for Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nick Green and Chris Carter have been told that they have made the Red Sox [team stats] Opening Day roster, with the understanding that things could change if the Sox make a last minute deal or waiver claim.

Former pitcher Browning arrested  —  Reds Minors coach charged with not paying child support  —  Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning has been arrested and charged with not paying child support, according to jail records uncovered by the Associated Press.

McJaygate: Day 31  —  Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler learned Feb. 28 he was discussed in a three-team trade proposal that would have sent him to Tampa Bay and Matt Cassel to Denver.  The deal didn't happen, but Cutler has since been on the outs with the man who considered trading him, new coach Josh McDaniels.

Lasorda defends former Dodgers catcher Piazza on steroid allegations in new book  —  It's going to take more than accusations from former players to make Tommy Lasorda doubt Mike Piazza.  —  Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher, was one of a handful of players singled out as a steroid user …