It's no time for Rangers to panic  —  ARLINGTON — There was a runner on second and nobody out in a game a few days ago when a Rangers hitter — we won't embarrass him by naming him here — rolled his wrists over and pulled a weak ground ball to third against a fastball pitcher.

Theriot promoted, will get shot at 2nd  —  SAN DIEGO — Infielder Ryan Theriot was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Monday to try to infuse some life in a flat-lining offense.  —  The 26-year-old second baseman, one of the final roster cuts this spring, was hitting .309 at Iowa with five stolen bases.

A Marquee Matchup (but Don't Tell Johnson)  —  There are few scenarios that seem to excite Randy Johnson anymore.  To borrow a line from U2, there's nothing you can throw at him that he hasn't already heard.  —  There was a game in Seattle last season, when he faced the phenom Félix Hernández …

No brotherly love lost  —  Wagner returns to Philly  —  Before Billy Wagner delivered his first pitch as a Phillie in 2004, he already was getting razzed by the home crowd.  In fact, the sewer-mouthed fans were so vile as he warmed up in the bullpen during an exhibition game against the Indians …

Fresh faces help keep ball rolling  —  Vazquez, Thome star in another Sox romp  —  Let's just call it Newcomers Night.  —  Two players who weren't with the White Sox for their championship season helped keep them on pace for another Saturday night.  —  Javier Vazquez, acquired from Arizona …

Rincon says he will undergo surgery  —  Cards would be left looking for another left-handed reliever  —  ST. LOUIS — It appears likely that Ricardo Rincon is headed for shoulder surgery.  It is all but certain that if Rincon has an operation, he will be out for the season.

Mets: Top prospects will stay  —  Mets insiders insisted yesterday that the team's core prospects, including Lastings Milledge, won't be dealt under any circumstances - not even to obtain Barry Zito or Dontrelle Willis if they were made available.  —  "We're going to be fine," a team source said.

Tough times for Marlins — and their fans  —  Tony Gwynn & Jeff Passan: These teams turn it around Can Bonds catch Aaron?  —  MIAMI (AP) — The vendor climbed the steps in the stands behind home plate, searching for customers amid the empty seats during the Florida Marlins' latest loss.

Sheff gets rest of the story  —  Ten to 14 days off should heal his wrist; Melky likely to move up  —  When Gary Sheffield went to get a second opinion on his bruised left wrist yesterday, he feared the worst-case scenario, a season-ending injury, according to a friend.

Agent expects Bonds to have a go at 2007  —  Expect Barry Bonds back next year to battle all his aches and pains, and, of course, to chase Hank Aaron's home run record.  —  Bonds, 41, has sent mixed signals publicly about whether he plans to return for another season, but Jeff Borris …

Reyes keeps them smiling  —  Shortstop's youthful demeanor keeps clubhouse loose  —  It's a few hours before a night game on the West Coast, and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is in familiar form.  —  He's sitting in the clubhouse, he's smiling and, of course, he is chatting up a storm on his cell phone …

Mailbag: Nats new owners to rebuild  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … With the Lerner group expressing the need to rebuild the Nationals' farm system, I have the following question: How bad is the farm system?  — Mike E., Springfield, Va.  —  Mike, it's not very good.

Off Mound, Mets' Ace Loosens Up in His Garden  —  For two hours on the days Pedro Martínez is scheduled to pitch at Shea Stadium, he is alone with his pale yellow daffodils, his purple petunias, his cotton-candy-colored hyacinths, the flowers that make his property look like a botanical garden.