Choi picked up off waivers for depth at first  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox claimed former Dodger Hee Seop Choi off waivers yesterday, inexpensively adding depth at first base.  —  Choi does have an option remaining, meaning he can be sent to Triple A Pawtucket without having to pass through waivers.

Notes: Unsung Hart continues to flourish  —  Versatility key for young player  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Tucson, Ariz. - Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, never one to spend much time perusing statistical printouts, was checking out his club's exhibition numbers the other day when one stat caught his eye.

Judge denies Bonds' bid  —  Lawyers wanted Game of Shadows proceeds halted  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A judge denied Barry Bonds' bid to block the authors and publishers from making money on a book claiming the San Francisco Giants slugger used steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs …

Unit solid in Yanks' loss to Twins  —  Johnson gives up one run on homer in 6 1/3 innings  —  TWINS 3, YANKEES 1  —  Twins at the plate: There wasn't too much offense in the pitchers' duel that occurred between the two clubs.  Terry Tiffee belted his first homer of the spring, a shot over the left-field fence, in the fourth.

Reed breaks wrist  —  Seattle center fielder could miss six weeks  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Seattle Mariners starting center fielder Jeremy Reed has a broken bone in his right wrist and could miss six weeks.  —  General manager Bill Bavasi announced Reed's injury on Friday morning …

Time running out on Bagwell  —  Ailing slugger's health tops Astros' roster questions  —  KISSIMMEE, FLA. - With a little more than a week remaining until opening day, Astros manager Phil Garner hasn't answered the major questions he had when he arrived in camp last month.

NL East is full of contenders  —  Mets and Phillies to give Braves fight to the finish  —  When the Atlanta Braves developed this addiction to division titles in 1991, their youngest player was Dave Justice, who has now been retired for four years and hits the big four-oh next month.

ORIOLES 2, RED SOX 0  —  Red Sox at the plate: Mike Lowell had Boston's first hit and walked in his second at-bat.  Willie Harris, Wily Mo Pena and Lowell drew walks in the early going, and David Ortiz drew a free pass in the sixth, but the Sox finished with just two hits.

Notes: Hermanson silent after outing  —  Right-hander scheduled to face the Royals on Sunday  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — After throwing one inning in relief and 13 pitches Friday against the Mariners, Dustin Hermanson politely declined to talk to reporters following his team's 4-3 loss at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Piazza: Back in Southern California  —  I'm excited to be here with the Padres.  I'll be back in Southern California where I began my big-league career, but most important, I think we have a pretty good ballclub.  —  It's a good organization with some good personnel and I believe I can contribute.