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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

And a Phillies Fan Has Already Been Asked to Leave Citi Field  —  The following fan report comes from one of the first Phillies fans to step foot in Citi Field, the Mets new home.  It also comes from the first Phillies fan to get the boot from said stadium.  Seems his choice in attire was not appreciated.

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.

Pena Given Unconditional Release  —  After refusing to accept a minor league assignment, Wily Mo Pena was released tonight by the Washington Nationals, ending the outfielder's tenure with an organization that once viewed him as a centerpiece of its future.  Pena had been placed on waivers this weekend, but went unclaimed.

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.”

Brewers' Braun day-to-day with thumb injury … PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is day-to-day with a right thumb contusion after leaving in the second inning of Tuesday night's game against the San Diego Padres.  —  The 2007 National League rookie of the year …

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.

Marlins part ways with McPherson  —  Team also sends Ryan, De Aza and Koronka to Minors camp  —  JUPITER, Fla. — With Emilio Bonifacio solidifying the third-base job, Dallas McPherson became expendable.  —  After the Marlins lost, 9-2, to the Mets on Tuesday night, the Marlins announced that McPherson has been released.