Dodgers lose Choi to Red Sox  —  First baseman claimed by Boston off waivers  —  • Get Dodgers Spring Training tickets  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Hee-Seop Choi, the poster boy for "Moneyball" aficionados but a disappointment in his days as a Dodger, was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

Game of Shadows  —  When Kirby Pucket died a couple weeks back, I didn't post a memorial on The Crawfish Boxes.  And when Hall & Oates came to town last week, I didn't post a review here either.  And that's because I try as best I can to keep this space all Astros.

Notes: Dallas down on depth chart  —  McPherson might not make Angels' Opening Day roster  —  • Angels edged by A's in extra innings  —  • Buy Angels Spring Training tickets  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Dallas McPherson is ready to deal with the future even though he's not quite sure where that might take him.

Johnson explores roots with O's … VIERA, FLA. // The trim man in the sunglasses, jeans and matching World Baseball Classic ballcap and golf shirt wandered into the visiting dugout at Space Coast Stadium yesterday hours before the Orioles played the Washington Nationals.  —  "Hey, Skip," he yelped

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.

Reed out with broken right wrist  —  Expected to miss six weeks, center fielder flies to Seattle  —  • Buy Mariners Spring Training tickets  —  • Complete Spring Training coverage  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners' quiet spring of health has been disrupted in a potentially big way.

Reds are putting things together  —  Keep your eye on the Reds, who might attempt to trade catcher Jason LaRue after acquiring David Ross from the Padres earlier this week.  —  LaRue and Javier Valentin formed the most productive catching tandem in the majors last season, combining for 28 homers and 110 RBIs.

ESPN's Stark apologizes for Cuba remarks  —  ESPN and reporter Jayson Stark apologized Thursday for his tasteless remark involving the manager of Cuba's World Baseball Classic team, but Stark said there was no indication he will be disciplined by the network.

Five Questions: Cincinnati Reds  —  I'm sick and tired this offseason seeing the Reds ranked last in various important statistical categories from last season and projections for the upcoming season.  —  They finished last in runs allowed in 2005 (including last in component statistics such as DER …

My 15 Minutes  —  This week's Sports Illustrated has a lengthy article about "How the Web is Changing Sports Coverage."  —  The piece, which centers around the culture and growing popularity of online sportswriting, focuses largely on Bill Simmons of ESPN.com and to a lesser extent Will Leitch …

Five Questions: Seattle Mariners  —  How painful were the Mariners to watch last year?  Miguel Olivo was replaced by Pat Borders and it actually constituted an improvement.  A full 80% of the starting rotation posted an ERA north of 5.00 while pitching in the cavernous Safeco Field.

Lastings impression  —  Mets foresee bright future  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Wednesday night, Lastings Milledge whacked the game-winning hit against the Dodgers, and yesterday he was penciled in to make the road trip south for a night game against the Marlins.  —  There is just over a week left …

Prey time  —  Timlin relaxes away from camp by going on hunt  —  LA BELLE, Fla. — Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin is going to extraordinary lengths for good, fresh barbecue.  —  It's late in the afternoon and he's dressed in camouflage, sitting in a blind 12 1/2 feet above the fringe of the Everglades.

'No choice': Soriano in left  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The word started circulating through the Washington Nationals' clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium shortly after 10 a.m., straight from manager Frank Robinson's mouth.  —  Alfonso Soriano has said he will play left field.  Not just for the day.