Pirates Notebook: Fifth starter might come from a trade with Atlanta  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Both Victor Santos and Brandon Duckworth pitched well for the Pirates in their 8-3 victory against Philadelphia yesterday, but in the short run it might not have mattered.

Agent: Bagwell to have 'last resort' surgery … Jeff Bagwell announced Saturday that he's going on the disabled list and will have surgery to remove bone spurs from his shoulder as "a last resort" to see if he can play again, his agent, Barry Axelrod, told ESPN.com Saturday morning.

New fielding book may leave Rangers feeling defensive  —  Management using 'Fielding Bible' as evaluation tool  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Two new books sit prominently on the desk of Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.  One, the memoirs of John Schuerholz called Built to Win …

Cards contenders despite so-so offseason … JUPITER, Fla. — Excitement builds and emotions crest in the weeks before a ballpark's debut.  Just don't expect St. Louis manager Tony La Russa to get all Dick Vermeil-ish over something as mundane as a change of workplace.

Notes: Francoeur practicing patience  —  Right fielder hot since returning from World Baseball Classic  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — While there might be better ways to develop patience, the eye infection that confined Jeff Francoeur to his living room much of November might have actually been a blessing in disguise.

Hee Sop Joy  —  I'm not sure whether to be more amazed by the abilities of this front office or the inabilities of 25 others.  Hee Sop Choi, a man whose closest 2003 comp was David Ortiz and who looks every bit like a player who would have breakout potential if someone ever gave him a decent chance …

Three vets out for redemption  —  Frank Thomas and Tim Salmon were playing against one another in the Cape Cod League in 1988.  Steve Finley already had made it to Triple-A with Rochester.  Ronald Reagan was the president.  —  Now, 18 years later, Thomas, Salmon and Finley came …

Brewers break out bats vs. D-Backs  —  Koskie, Hardy, Jenkins, Fielder each collect two hits in win  —  BREWERS 16, DIAMONDBACKS 5  —  Brewers at the plate: After a 1-2-3 first, the Brewers erupted for 11 hits over the next two-plus innings against D-Backs Opening Day starter Brandon Webb.

Rose Continues to Wilt  —  Pittsburgh had just killed me.  As I watched the final seconds of the Panthers loss to Bradley in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, I felt frustrated and angry.  Under normal circumstances this game would barely register on my radar screen.  But these weren't normal circumstances.

Sweeney could see Major time in 2006  —  Youngster adjusts, once again considered a top prospect  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — During a recent morning meeting with his coaching staff, manager Ozzie Guillen asked the question that many White Sox fans have been wondering for the past year or so.

Melvin's expectations high for Brewers  —  General manager fields fans' questions during Webchat … Ashley_Kolata: Mr. Melvin, Corey Hart has been having a pretty good Spring Training this year.  Is he going to start the year at Miller Park or in the Minors?

Nationals have big plans for Casto  —  Hot-hitting prospect may make switch to second base  —  VIERA, Fla. — Third baseman Kory Casto did something last year that every other hitter in the Nationals organization had a tough time doing: drive in runs.  —  In fact, Casto, 24 …

Zimmerman reached majors in just 85 days … BRADENTON, Fla. — And now for something completely different — a Washington Nationals story that doesn't involve Alfonso Soriano.  —  Or leases.  Or owners.  Or Luis Ayala's ulnar collateral ligament.  Or that ever-popular baseball-loving gang, the D.C. Council.