Baseball Plans to Test for H.G.H. in Minors  —  Major League Baseball, which had long been skeptical about a viable test for human growth hormone, now plans to implement blood testing for the substance in the minor leagues later this year, according to an official in baseball with direct knowledge of the matter.

With Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui gone, time for Robinson Cano to be clutch for New York Yankees  —  TAMPA - In theory the Yankees have replaced Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui sufficiently enough so that the offense should continue to be the most imposing in the American League.

Nats' Rodriguez terms Strasburg ‘amazing’  —  VIERA, FLA. Before his bullpen session here on Tuesday, Stephen Strasburg glanced to see who'd be his catcher of the day.  In his first work of spring training Sunday, it was minor leaguer Derek Norris.  This time he saw Iván Rodríguez, 14 All-Star games, 13 Gold Gloves.

Cashman: Granderson is the center fielder  —  Braaaaaaaains.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)  —  The latest motif out of Tampa has been the Yankees' quiet Spring Training.  Without a new manager or A-Rod's PED revelations to rile up New York's sports media world, most commentators and reporters …

Kerry Wood won't complain about role on rebuilding Cleveland Indians … GOODYEAR, Ariz. — This isn't the team Kerry Wood figured he'd be with in the spring of 2010.  The name and colors are the same, but the team he signed with was supposed to be a contender, a team built to play in late October …

Former NY Times writer Jack Curry joins YES  —  NEW YORK - Jack Curry, who covered the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball at The New York Times for nearly 20 years as its Yankees beat writer and most recently as its national baseball writer, has joined the YES Network as a Yankees studio analyst …

Alex avoiding touchy subjects  —  TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez was at George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday for a physical in preparation for the World Series champion Yankees' first full-squad workout today.  —  Judging by the way he avoided touchy topics, it appears the third baseman is committed …

Tax men strike out against McCourts  —  Jamie and Frank McCourt, who are now separated, made $108 million from 2004 through 2009 but paid no federal or state income taxes.  The couple, shown above at a Los Angeles Dodgers game, are battling over control of the team.  (Carlos Delgado / Associated Press / September 25, 2008)

Lowell: ‘No idea’ where he'll be on Opening Day  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell spoke at the team's minor league training facility on Tuesday.  He discussed his health and his status with the team this spring, following an offseason where the team nearly dealt …

The Complete Top 100 Prospects List  —  The Top 100 Prospects list is the culmination of our offseason prospect coverage, which begins with our reviews of the top talent in each minor league and proceeds with ranking the talent in each major league farm system.

Drew discusses his shoulder surgery  —  J.D. Drew talked to the media this morning.  He went into some detail on his left (non-throwing) shoulder and the surgery he had in the offseason.  —  Drew had two cortisone shots during the season, one just before the playoffs when he took a few days off.

Figgy, Takahashi kick off Grapefruit League  —  Plenty of nuggets I've learned at Mets camp today ...  * The starting pitcher for the Grapefruit League opener on March 2 against the Braves at Tradition Field?  That honor will go to either Hisanori Takahashi or Nelson Figueroa, both of whom are scheduled to pitch that day.

Shelby Miller makes debut  —  February 23, 2010 - Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller throws on the bullpen mound during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Shelby Miller, the Cardinals' top draft pick in 2009 who turned 19 in October …

Dotel sits with sore left side  —  Bucs closer eyes quick return from minor injury  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Soreness in his left side kept Octavio Dotel from taking the fields with the rest of his Pittsburgh teammates on the first day of full-squad workouts at Pirate City on Tuesday.

Angel Pagan seems to be leading candidate to sub in center for New York Mets' Carlos Beltran  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Angel Pagan's primary wish for spring training has nothing to do with beating out Gary Matthews Jr.  —  Pagan, who appears to be Jerry Manuel's favorite to bat leadoff and start …