Ichiro collects three hits in Mariners' win  —  Outfielder also drives in a run in first game back since Classic  —  MARINERS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2  —  Diamondbacks at the plate: Arizona didn't do much against Mariners starter Felix Hernandez, but Eric Byrnes singled in a run in the fifth inning …

ESPN'S Colin Cowherd "Borrows" M Zone Material  —  In case you can't tell, it takes a fair amount of work each night to put up what you read everyday here on the M Zone.  But we have a blast doing it.  We better, because it's not like any of us are doing it for the money.

Soriano Struggles With Mental Adjustment to Left  —  VIERA, Fla., March 23 — He hasn't made an error.  He hasn't misread a fly ball.  He hasn't thrown to the wrong base.  And, in reality, he hasn't been tested.  But two days in, no one associated with the Washington Nationals expects …

A-Rod homers in Yanks win  —  Proctor goes four scoreless innings; Matsui belts third homer  —  YANKEES 8, ASTROS 1  —  Yankees at the plate: Alex Rodriguez collected his first hit in 14 at-bats this spring, crushing a two-run home run against Carlos Hernandez in the fourth inning.

Remedies Abundant, but Wagner Bides Time  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 23 — Billy Wagner will try anything to heal the ailing middle finger on his pitching hand.  —  Well, almost anything.  —  "I'm sure if Saturday comes and it doesn't feel a lot better, they'll just cut it off and put a new one on me …

SECOND THOUGHTS  —  March 24, 2006 — JUPITER, Fla. - The Mets are not asking much from their second baseman.  Bat eighth, play well on defense, show the promise for growth.  —  Kazuo Matsui again failed to ascend to those mild requests.  Anderson Hernandez has.

Notes: Rusch 'comfortable' in start  —  Prior able to do about everything except throw a baseball  —  • Cubs' Lee doesn't miss a beat in return  —  • Rusch sharp as Cubs handle Mariners  —  MESA, Ariz. — Glendon Rusch had an outing more to his liking on Thursday.

Report: Bonds to sue over steroid allegations in book  —  Barry Bonds' lawyer said he plans to sue the authors and publisher of a book alleging the outfielder used an array of performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids.  —  Attorney Michael Rains sent a letter Thursday to an agent for the authors of …

Know-hitters: Oddball stats from '05  —  Park home run figures among last year's statistical surprises  —  The World Baseball Classic is over, and all eyes now return to Spring Training and the upcoming 2006 regular season.  To help you regain your focus, here is a collection of interesting tidbits …

Ortiz turns in solid effort  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals weren't helping out their pitchers in the field with 39 errors in 23 games, so Ramon Ortiz decided to help himself.  —  Ortiz allowed just five hits in six scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory yesterday against a decent Baltimore Orioles lineup.

Notes: Nix gets out in the field  —  Millwood makes final Cactus League start  —  • Rangers' Hyzdu keeps chasing the dream  —  • Rangers fall short against White Sox  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Laynce Nix is back in the Rangers' outfield.  Now he has nine more days to show the Rangers where he will fit on Opening Day.

WBC could see some changes next time  —  MARYVALE, Ariz - Future World Baseball Classics could feature games in Canada, Mexico and South Korea.  A best-of-three championship round.  And yes, actual major-league umpires.  —  Donald Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Players' Association …

Indians financially flexible in 2006  —  Shapiro recognizes Indians' strength is in farm system  —  • Sabathia throws six strong in tie  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Ordinarily, the phrase "financial flexibility" isn't in Mark Shapiro's vocabulary.  —  That's just how life …

Five Questions: New York Mets  —  In 2004 the Mets finished at 71-91, 25 games behind the division champs, Atlanta (who else?).  The front office went to work in the offseason and ended up signing Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran to long-term lucrative contracts.

Team Health Reports  —  Oakland Athletics  —  C Jason Kendall: Ever since his brutal 1999 season, Kendall's been supernaturally healthy (average of 659 PA per year during that period).  Of course, with that PECOTA card, the A's management may be hoping he gets hurt.  The fans certainly do.