Spring Training: Pitching uncertainties pointing to trade  —  Pirates' talks with Mariners include Pineiro  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Pirates cut five more players yesterday, including standout third baseman Jose Bautista, but seem no closer to making several key decisions.

No Salvation for Church  —  Upon learning that Ryan Church had been sent down to the minors, I was tempted to write an expletive-laden indictment of Jim Bowden's failure as a general manager and as a human being.  But then I realized that I did that last week, and I have to keep the content fresh …

Small ball is yielding big results  —  Time to play ball.  Real ball, not the mutant, pharmaceutically enhanced monstrosity that supposedly saved the sport.  —  Some call it small ball.  Others call it a return to fundamentals.  Still others call it a pitching-and-defense revival.

Mets Make Bannister's Day; Heilman to Bullpen  —  JUPITER, Fla., March 28 — In one corner of the Mets' clubhouse, Brian Bannister fired off blissful text messages to friends and family back in Arizona, preparing for his first workout as a genuine major leaguer.

Injury may land Rangers' Eaton on DL  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers set their starting rotation Wednesday morning and watched the plan blow up early in the afternoon.  —  Not more than two hours after naming R.A. Dickey the fifth starter, solving one spring-long issue …

Phillips packs bags without destination  —  Indians prospect does not know details of a deal  —  WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Brandon Phillips slowly packed up his belongings and prepared to wave his final goodbye to the Chain of Lakes complex and the Indians organization.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  PECOTA Breaks Hearts  —  I've done a lot of local radio over the past week or two, which means that I've broken a lot of hearts.  No, Kansas City, not even the Good Witch of the North can bring Carlos Beltran back to the prairies, and no, Baltimore …

Mitchell to head steroid investigation  —  Major League Baseball will investigate alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds and other players and plans to hire former U.S. Senate majority leader George Mitchell to lead the effort.  —  Mitchell will not be the lead investigator, but he will head the investigation effort.

Eddie Guardado: The M's undisputed king of hijinks  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Cristian Guzman could not stop itching.  This went on for four days, until he found himself on the shoulder of a Minnesota freeway, outside of his car, scratching at his underwear like a man with the worst case of chicken pox in human history.

Didn't See That Coming: Dodgers Extend Kent's Contract  —  Jeff Kent has hit 20 or more home runs in nine consecutive seasons and was the best second baseman in the National League last season.  But at age 38, most - if not all - figured that after this season, he would give way to the Dodger youth movement.

Relive the excitement of the 1986 Mets  —  New DVD offers an in-depth look at franchise's historic title run  —  NEW YORK — Next week on Opening Day, Jesse Orosco will once again climb the mound at Shea Stadium, peer at catcher Gary Carter, raise his right leg toward his chest and recreate …

2006 Lookouts Team Will Be A Mixture Of Veterans And New Players  —  Three Players Are On Baseball America's Top Ten Prospect List  —  Although the opening day roster for the 2006 Lookouts may not be complete until the last day of spring training, it appears that the team will be a mixture …

Here are the outs in Red Sox lineup  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The actual 25-man roster won't be submitted until it has to be, which is Monday, Opening Day itself.  But the decisions have been made, the affected players told as much, the composition of the 2006 Red Sox effectively set.

Dragons' roster taking shape despite injuries  —  Newly drafted pitcher Wood has strong outing  —  SARASOTA, FLA .  The Dayton Dragons' roster on Tuesday moved closer to what it will look like on opening day, which was an interesting sight to new manager Billy Gardner Jr.