NY Mets' ace Johan Santana feels ‘strong’ but will not commit to Opening Day start on Thursday at Citi Field  —  Left-hander may or may not face Braves  —  Johan Sanata throws a good bullpen session, but his status for Opening Day is up in the air.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE …

Ranking the major league managers  —  Maddon, Leyland, and Scioscia push the right buttons in our annual rankings  —  With top-tier guys such as Tony La Russa and Terry Francona out of the picture this year, our annual managerial rankings present a challenge.

Doubront, Bard in rotation; concern for Bailey  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lefthander Felix Doubront was named the No. 4 starter of the Red Sox and righthander Daniel Bard the No. 5 this morning.  —  Doubront will start the first game in Toronto and Bard the second.  Alfredo Aceves will pitch out of the bullpen.

Francisco traded to Braves  —  The Reds have traded 3B Juan Francisco to the Braves for J.J. Hoover, a Minor League right-handed pitcher.  —  Francisco, who batted .196 with four home runs this spring, was out of options and did not endear himself to the Reds for among other things …

Castro eager for Astros' season to begin  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — In many ways, Jason Castro's return to Joker Marchant Stadium on Sunday signified just how far he has come since the previous time he set foot in the ballpark.  That was on March 2, 2011, when Castro stepped awkwardly on first base …

Report: Juan Carlos Oviedo faces six-week suspension  —  Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly known as Leo Nunez) is still in his native Dominican Republic, working to finish the assigned hours of community service that stand between him and a freshly-stamped work visa.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero ‘sick of going home in October’  —  CLEARWATER, FLA.—Ricky Romero is done with spring training.  —  So antsy to be rid of the exhibition season is the Blue Jays' ace lefty that after his final Grapefruit League start was cut short by a windy downpour, he was already looking beyond the regular season.

Even after Michael Pineda injury, Yankees GM Brian Cashman still made right move trading Jesus Montero to Mariners for pitcher  —  Second-guessers may come out of woodwork, but Cash made right play  —  KISSIMMEE — Late Friday night, after Michael Pineda had put a scare into the Yankees …

Bourgeois sees time at second base  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Jason Bourgeois played the last two innings at second base for the Royals on Saturday.  But he had no fielding chances.  —  “I got to see him stand out there,” manager Ned Yost said wryly.  “But he looked good standing.”

Pujols' homer backs strong start from Richards  —  MESA, Ariz. — Albert Pujols belted his sixth spring home run for the Angels, but the Cubs scored the equalizing run in the sixth inning when Reed Johnson stole home to force a 3-3 tie on Saturday.  —  Howie Kendrick doubled with one out in the Angels …

Branyan re-signed, continues back rehab  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Russell Branyan thought that a strong spring might have him breaking camp in a Yankees uniform, but the 36-year-old slugger wasn't able to get to the plate for even a single at-bat.  —  Branyan suffered a herniated disc in his lower …