R.A. Dickey writes of confronting darker sides of human nature … From WHEREVER I WIND UP: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball, by R.A. Dickey with Wayne Coffey, published by arrangement with Blue Rider Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright © 2012 by R.A. Dickey.

Catching up with pitcher Lackey  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - He was the poster boy for bad behavior last year.  In a season of Red Sox woes, nobody sunk lower than John Lackey.  Early in the season, Lackey told us, “everything in my life sucks right now,” and then things got worse.

Lee Pitches 6 Shutout Innings in Phillies Win  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Cliff Lee definitely looks ready for the regular season.  —  Lee pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 exhibition victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.

Postseason prognostication is perilous  —  Here's how brilliant my picks were in 2011:  —  I went 1-for-6 in division winners, getting it right only with the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  My other selections — cover your children's eyes — were the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies in the NL …

Rockies release Casey Blake  —  The Casey Blake experiment ended before it started, with the Rockies releasing the veteran today.  —  Looking to bridge third base before the arrival of top prospect Nolan Arenado at some point this season, the Rockies signed Blake to a non-guaranteed $2 million contract in December.

Corbin dazzles on mound, at plate vs. Rockies  —  Lefty pitches five no-hit innings, delivers RBI triple  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Patrick Corbin pitched five no-hit innings and contributed with his bat as well as the D-backs beat the Rockies, 7-3, on Tuesday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields.

It's Uni Watch's 2012 MLB preview!  —  Certain Uni Watch readers have occasionally accused your friendly uniform columnist of being too much of a naysayer.  “You never like anything!” these readers say.  “Whenever a team unveils a new uniform, all you do is complain about all the things wrong with it!”

Mat Latos leaves after bad step  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Reds starter Mat Latos left the game in mid-inning after appearing to make a bad step on a pitch, giving Cincinnati another pitching scare.  —  Latos left in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday after apparently hurting himself on a pitch.

Allen named first baseman for opener in Tokyo  —  TOKYO — Bob Melvin wouldn't reveal his entire Opening Day roster Tuesday, but the A's manager did disclose his starting first baseman: Brandon Allen.  —  The decision comes just one day after Kila Ka'aihue, who was also in the mix for the starting job …

Rays set plans: Niemann in rotation, Davis in bullpen  —  UPDATE, 10:26: Niemann said he looked at it as a “win-win” for the organization, and that he was pleased to retain his spot.  “It's one of those things that's always there but it's not really weighing on you, but just to have the whole …

Nolasco Helps Miami Top Washington 3-1  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Ricky Nolasco breezed through the first inning in four pitches.  That made it a whole lot easier to become the first Miami starter to reach the seventh this spring.  —  Nolasco pitched 6 1-3 innings of one-run ball …

Jackson hits inside-the-park HR, Astros top Tigers  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Austin Jackson hit an inside-the-park home run and Brennan Boesch also homered for the Detroit Tigers before the Houston Astros rallied for a 14-7 win Tuesday.  —  Both Detroit homers came off Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez, who gave up five runs in six innings.