NY Mets front office considered releasing Michael Pelfrey before Opening Day  —  Pelfrey follows news with strongest outing on Thursday, allowing one run in 6.1 innings  —  Michael Pelfrey's future with the Mets may not last past this season, as sources say the team considered cutting the righthander before Opening Day.

Reason to Believe Nova's Rookie Season Was a Fluke  —  Ivan Nova pitched against minor leaguers Thursday as he struggles to hold on to his spot in the Yankees' crowded starting rotation.  But despite his 16-4 record and 3.70 ERA last season, his anemic strikeout rate suggests that the Yankees …

No recourse in Carpenter case  —  Injured reliever passed physicals  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Red Sox had complete access to Chris Carpenter's medical records, and the pitcher passed both his Cubs physical and Red Sox physical after he was sent to Boston as compensation for Theo Epstein …

Joe Posnanski is Leaving Sports Illustrated  —  Less than three years after joining the staff at Sports Illustrated, Joe Posnanski is leaving.  Posnanski has told the magazine he's moving on, and his next stop is the USA Today/MLB Advanced Media joint venture that was announced last month.

Hawpe released by Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have given Brad Hawpe his unconditional release in order for him to look for a Major League job elsewhere.  They have also invited him back if he can't find one.  —  “We've talked to some other teams, hopefully there are some opportunities …

Florida prosecutor drops battery charge against Manny Ramirez  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A Florida prosecutor has dismissed a misdemeanor domestic battery charge against baseball star Manny Ramirez [stats] because his wife won't cooperate in the investigation.

Get your rosters here  —  A few players — mostly Charleston guys, for whatever reason — tweeted their assignments last night, but the full lists are out this morning, and here they are:  —  First, the Thunder, because this is a Thunder blog:  —  TRENTON  —  PITCHERS  —  Cory Arbiso

Dickey wants Mets to pick up option now  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — R.A. Dickey could be headed toward a more certain future with the Mets.  —  According to a source, team brass has already begun discussing various possibilities — with no resolution — on which direction to move with Dickey …

A long Los Angeles nightmare ends  —  THERE has never been a shortage of examples to illustrate the old adage that life isn't fair.  But few can compete with the tale of Frank McCourt, the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, now that he has agreed to sell the club for an eye-popping $2.15 billion.