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.

Spring Game 34: Yankees at Reds (now updated with roster moves)  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Joba Chamberlain.  —  REDS  —  Tavares CF  —  Dickerson LF  —  Votto 1B  —  Phillips 2B  —  Bruce RF  —  Hernandez C  —  Encarnacion 3B  —  Janish SS  —  Owings RHP

Phillies Release Jenkins  —  Just got word that the Phillies have released outfielder Geoff Jenkins.  —  Does this mean Gary Sheffield is on his way?  —  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he would talk later.  —  Reporters just met with Jenkins.  Here is some of what he said:

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.

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.

Royals option Hochevar to Triple-A  —  Ponson, Bannister, Ramirez in mix for final rotation slots  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Right-hander Luke Hochevar, one of the prime candidates for the last two spots in the Royals' rotation, was optioned on Tuesday to Triple-A Omaha.

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.

TRUE BREW FANS  —  BLEACHERS ARE AGAIN BEER-ABLE  —  The raucous fans who populate Yankee Stadium's bleachers should return to form this season, now that the team has lifted its nine-year prohibition on performance-enhancing suds.  —  Beer was banned in Section 39 at the old Stadium in 2000 …

White Sox test De La Rosa  —  Glendale, Ariz. - Outfielders Dexter Fowler and Scott Podsednik, two candidates battlig for remaining roster spots, start against the White Sox today at Camelback Ranch.  Fowler leads off and Podsednik hits second.  —  Lefty Jorge De La Rosa, the No. 4 starter …

Garland happy, but questions offer  —  TUCSON - As a free agent this winter, Jon Garland said he always had the Diamondbacks, and the National League West, in mind.  He just didn't expect his off-season to transpire the way it did.  —  Not that Garland is complaining.

LACK OF VELOCITY STILL JOBA ISSUE  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — You were seduced by Joba Chamberlain's 100 mph fastball when he introduced himself in 2007 as the premier set-up man in baseball.  —  The Yankees right-hander blew away the best hitters in the majors, and made them look ill against a slider with fangs.

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 …

Mets ax Valentin, two others  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets released popular infielder Jose Valentin and two other veterans from their minor-league system today in a move that likely will end Valentin's playing career.  —  Also let go were right-hander Tony Armas Jr. and journeyman infielder Junior Spivey.

A-Rod ramps up his workouts  —  Slugger on target for a May return to Yankees' lineup  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez has ramped up his rehab program as he comes back from right hip surgery, and the Yankees continue to believe that the All-Star third baseman will rejoin their lineup sometime in May.