Church 'shocked' after being optioned by Nats  —  VIERA, Fla. — For the second straight spring, the trajectory of Washington Nationals outfielder Ryan Church's major league career was affected by a surprising roster move on the Tuesday before Opening Day.  —  This time around …

Rocker brushes back Glavine over snubs  —  Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker said he didn't want to be "pigeonholed" as a bad boy last night, but then he took a few shots at onetime teammate Tom Glavine on the "Daily News Live" show on Sportsnet New York.

Grissom retires after 17 seasons  —  Departure of 38-year-old opens door for Pagan  —  MESA, Ariz. — Veteran outfielder Marquis Grissom ended what he called a "fun ride" and retired from baseball Tuesday, ending his career after 17 seasons.  —  "When it's time, it's time," Grissom said.

Royals claim Graffanino  —  Andrade claimed; Ambres designated for assignment  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Infielder Tony Graffanino is back in the Royals' fold.  —  The Royals claimed Graffanino on waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and he fits right into the picture in a backup role.

STARTING TO CLICK  —  March 28, 2006 — ONE BAD OUTING WON'T SEND METS OFF TRACH  —  Dodgers 12Mets 3  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Steve Trachsel allowed six hits and six runs in the fourth inning yesterday, the nadir of a brutal outing against the Dodgers for the Mets right-hander.

Cubs acquire McCormack and Holdzkom for Wellemeyer  —  The Chicago Cubs today acquired minor league pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack from the Florida Marlins in exchange for pitcher Todd Wellemeyer.  —  Holdzkom, 24, has recorded a 2.86 ERA in 110 career games in the Marlins organization.

Salmon Gets It Right in Return  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — It had been 20 months — July 25, 2004, in Seattle to be exact — since Tim Salmon played the outfield, so as the Angel veteran stood in right field before Monday's triple-A game against Texas, one thought consumed him: "That first ball always finds you."

Spring Training: No new deal for Littlefield yet  —  Pirates' GM to enter penultimate season  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The Pirates have made no move to extend general manager Dave Littlefield's contract, which has two years remaining, even though that was the same amount of time he had left …

Tracy shrugs off Perez's lack of velocity  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Pirates manager Jim Tracy made a surprising assessment on Opening Day starter Oliver Perez before Monday night's exhibition game against Cincinnati.  —  Tracy effectively defused concern about Perez's lack of velocity throughout …

2006 AL West EWSL Report  —  The second of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point.  EWSL is explained here, and you should read that link before commenting on the method; 2006 revisions to the age adjustment are discussed here.

Someone Forget Their Glove?  —  The New York Yankees are baseball's biggest team.  They dominate the headlines, they dominate the standings, and their team seemingly has every position manned by an all-star.  Yet, since 2003 they've made it to one World Series and they didn't come particularly close to winning that one.

Clubhouse manager forgets bats  —  Tucson — Mike Thalblum, the A's visiting clubhouse manager, was dozing on the team bus to Tucson when he got a call from Billy Beane.  —  "Hey, Mikey, I'm just wondering if you forgot anything,'' the A's GM said.  —  "I said, 'No, Billy, I didn't forget anything …

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 …