passing go  —  quoting from VEB back on february 8: … and so it has, apparently.  read and weep at the official site: … that gibes with derrick goold's chat post yesterday to the effect that encarnacion will be getting "a test drive" in the #2 hole, as that's where TLR would prefer him.

Some Question Soriano's Effort  —  Coach Says He Needs Extra Fielding Work  —  VIERA, Fla., March 26 — Alfonso Soriano, the Washington Nationals' left fielder, had a line drive sail over him in the top of the first inning Sunday, then hit the first pitch he saw well over the left field fence …

Anderson Does Well in the Field  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — So much for working his way back into the lineup as a designated hitter.  After missing almost three weeks because of strained tissue in his left foot, Garret Anderson returned to left field Sunday, hitting a run-scoring single in three …

Bonds might not swing again till regular season  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barry Bonds might not take another Cactus League swing in Arizona, choosing instead to rest his tender left elbow and surgically repaired right knee before the season starts.  —  Bonds was examined by two doctors Sunday …

Chien-Ming dinged  —  Righty takes liner off kneecap  —  TAMPA - On a day when Jorge Posada returned to Legends Field for the first time since breaking his nose Wednesday night, the Yankees watched starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang limp off the field in the top of the third inning of yesterday's game against Detroit.

Dodgers cut bullpen candidates  —  Wunsch reassigned; Hamulack, Houlton, Broxton to Triple-A  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Dodgers' bullpen situation became clearer on Monday, when the club cut four candidates, most notably its two remaining situational left-handers, Kelly Wunsch and Tim Hamulack.

Masterful Pedro blows away fears  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets can finally exhale.  After weeks of having to modify shoes, renovate mounds and rearrange schedules, Pedro Martinez zipped through the Orioles yesterday in what could only be described as an unqualified success.

moving up  —  Brian Bannister seems to have emerged as the favorite for the fifth starter's spot over Aaron Heilman, though team brass officially remains noncommittal.  Mets officials appear to have concluded they are a stronger team with Heilman in the bullpen, even with their lefty relievers performing well.

Notes: Boyer may be ready for opener  —  Reliever recovering nicely from bout with sore right shoulder  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Just a week ago, it was far too unclear for Braves manager Bobby Cox to determine when he might get Blaine Boyer back in his bullpen.

MLB FAILS THE TEST  —  March 27, 2006 — Barry Bonds' alleged steroid regimen is laid out in the new book, "Game of Shadows."  Three of the drugs he's alleged to have used still would go undetected by Major League Baseball's newest steroid policy.  —  One year after Congress grilled them …

Flight problem latest hitch in Prior recovery plan  —  MESA, Ariz. — A delayed flight has delayed the resumption of Mark Prior's recovery program from a shoulder strain.  —  Prior had been scheduled to meet Saturday or Sunday with Dr. Stephen Gryzlo to determine when he could start playing catch and set up a throwing program.

Damon scores twice in Yanks' win  —  Starter Wang hit on leg, leaves after 2 1/3 innings of work  —  YANKEES 9, TIGERS 8  —  Yankees at the plate: Johnny Damon scored a pair of runs, both on base hits by Gary Sheffield.  In the first, Sheffield doubled in Damon, and the next inning …

Sox hurlers send mixed messages  —  Contreras has strong outing Saturday in Triple-A  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Saturday's report card for the talent-laden White Sox pitching staff reads something like the following:  —  One piece of exciting news.  One piece of encouraging news.

Ramirez hopes to stay hot in the cold  —  MESA, Ariz. — It was only one year ago that Nomar Garciaparra tore up Cactus League pitching before falling on his face once the bell rang for the regular season.  —  Garciaparra hit .157 in the first three weeks of 2005 before suffering …

Struggling Dellucci hears trade talk  —  Rangers' frustrated outfielder trying to win leadoff spot  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - It's been a miserable week for outfielder David Dellucci.  —  He's still not sure if his 29 home runs and .367 on-base percentage last year are enough to keep him in the leadoff spot in the Rangers' lineup.

Notes: Rotation decisions looming  —  Padres not fazed by Young's stats; Laforest, Sledge homer  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The discussions are getting serious.  With Jake Peavy's April 3 Opening Day assignment against the Giants drawing near, the Padres have decisions to make about how the rotation will spin behind the ace.