Phillies release Jenkins; eye Sheff?  —  With less than a week until Opening Day, the Phillies released veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins on Tuesday.  —  The left-handed-hitting Jenkins hit .250 in 11 Grapefruit League games, with one homer and five RBIs.  Last season, his lone campaign …

Park overjoyed to be Phils' No. 5 starter  —  After putting all aside in bid for role, veteran hurler overcomes Happ  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chan Ho Park signed with the Phillies because they promised him the opportunity to win a job in the rotation.  —  He wanted that job so badly …

Offseason In Review: New York Yankees  —  Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Yankees.  Here's what we wrote about them on October 13th.  —  Additions: Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Nick Swisher, Damaso Marte (re-signed), Jason Johnson, Sergio Mitre …

It's official: Rockies go with Fowler  —  GLENDALE, ARIZ. — The future is now for the Rockies' Dexter Fowler.  —  Manager Clint Hurdle confirmed today after the Rockies-White Sox game that the fleet 23-year-old center fielder will be on the 25-man roster to begin the 2009 season.

No Worries: Joba at 96 M.P.H.  —  SARASOTA, Fla. - If anybody is worried about Joba Chamberlain's velocity, don't be.  He is out after 5 1/3 innings here in Sarasota against the Reds, and he looked terrific.  A scout I just talked to said he clocked Chamberlain as high as 96 miles an hour …

Gardner wins Dawson Award  —  This from the Yankees as well ...  The Yankees today announced that outfielder Brett Gardner is the recipient of the 2009 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in spring training.  Gardner will receive the award in a pre-game ceremony …

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 …

McGehee in; Lamb out  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - Manager Ken Macha just told us that veteran infielder Mike Lamb has been told he won't make the team coming out of spring training.  —  Instead, the Brewers have decided to keep Casey McGehee, who is having a banner camp.

AL EAST PREVIEW  —  The division preview series continues with what maybe the strongest division in baseball, the American League East.  I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players and designated hitter, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR.  —  Tampa Bay Rays

John Calipari leaving Memphis for Kentucky … After over a day of deliberation, John Calipari is headed to Kentucky.  —  The coach sent a text message to ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Tuesday evening saying, “I am accepting the UK job!  Go Big Blue, coach Cal.”

These things will happen this season  —  Manny will be a pain.  A-Rod won't come all the way back.  Just a few of the things you can bank on in 2009.

Final: Red Sox 8, Rays 7  —  SOX WIN (3:52, END 9, 8-7 SOX)  —  Ramon Ramirez gave up a one-out single up the middle to Jon Weber and a walk to Zobrist, making the victory precarious, especially after an Adam Kennedy sacrifice fly put the tying run 90 feet from home.

Cincy trades reserve SS Keppinger to Houston … SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Jeff Keppinger was packing his gear when he got a call saying manager Dusty Baker wanted to talk to him.  The reserve shortstop thought he was about to be released.  —  Instead, the Reds traded him to the Houston Astros …

Former Giants, Cubs manager Franks, 95, dies … SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former Major League Baseball player and manager Herman Franks has died.  He was 95.  —  Franks' daughter says he died Monday of congestive heart failure at his home in Salt Lake City.