Tavarez: one strike, one brawl  —  Sox reliever punches a D-Ray in latest fracas  —  Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez is set to hit Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright in the jaw yesterday on a play at the plate in the eighth inning.  (AP Photo)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — There have been enough brawls …

Mariners propelled by six-run first  —  Rangers unable to cope with early offensive barrage  —  MARINERS 10, RANGERS 9  —  Mariners at the plate: Roberto Petagine had a two-run double to cap the Mariners' six-run first inning.  He also had a double in the sixth inning that scored Corky Miller from first base.

White Sox set Opening Day roster  —  Rookie left-hander Logan makes team after good spring  —  MESA, Ariz. — Boone Logan came along for the ride to HoHoKam Park on Monday, with pitching coach Don Cooper simply wanting the young left-hander to experience the excitement surrounding a Cubs-White Sox contest.

Rangers cut ties with Durazo, Wasdin  —  Moves may clear a spot for Rule 5 draft pick Castro  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have released first baseman/designated hitter Erubiel Durazo and placed pitcher John Wasdin on waivers, a move that could open a spot on the Opening Day roster for Rule 5 draft pick Fabio Castro.

Astros' insurance claim on Bagwell denied  —  HOUSTON — An insurance claim filed by the Houston Astros to try to recoup $15.6 million of injured first baseman Jeff Bagwell's contract has been denied.  —  The Astros, who in January deemed Bagwell too injured to play, filed the claim …

Mailbag: How will fans treat Soriano?  —  Beat writer Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Do you think Nationals fans will boo Alfonso Soriano at all this year?  Shouldn't fans just make him feel at home at this point?  The team really seems to have taken to him.

Prior throws for first time in two weeks  —  Cubs still have no timetable for ace's return  —  MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, sidelined for two weeks with a strained muscle in his right shoulder, was able to play catch on Monday, but neither he nor the medical staff can set …

Notes: Barfield locks up second base  —  Padres rookie named starter; Bellhorn to backup role  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The obvious has become official.  Josh Barfield is the Padres' second baseman.  —  Manager Bruce Bochy informed the rookie he'd earned the job on Monday, a rare day off for Barfield.

Five Questions: Philadelphia Phillies  —  Despite his reputation for being one of the smartest men in baseball, Phillies general manager Pat Gillick didn't come to Philadelphia with a cutting-edge plan.  He was going to make himself comfortable with familiar players, and he didn't care how many people he'd alienate along the way.

Mets' bullpen far from set  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets manager Willie Randolph said naming his bullpen would "go down to the wire."  And if he was bluffing, everybody was cooperating.  —  "Other than Billy," submariner Chad Bradford said, nodding over his shoulder to closer Billy Wagner, "I don't think there's anything settled.

Reitsma injured in win over Yankees  —  Braves closer forced to leave contest with tight left hamstring  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Chris Reitsma was forced to leave Monday night's game against the Yankees with what appears to be a slight strain of his left hamstring.

Yankees edged by Braves  —  A-Rod blasts third spring homer; Giambi collects three hits  —  BRAVES 5, YANKEES 4  —  Braves at the plate: Ryan Langerhans' RBI single capped the four-run sixth-inning the Braves used to claim a comeback victory.  Adam LaRoche's three-run homer highlighted the sixth inning.