New Blue Jay Thomson rips Lo Duca's catching  —  TORONTO — John Thomson was surprisingly candid Wednesday about one of the reasons he chose the Toronto Blue Jays over the Mets: He didn't want to pitch to New York catcher Paul Lo Duca.  —  Thomson agreed to a $500,000 …

Sources: Schoeneweis close to 3-year deal with Mets  —  The New York Mets are on the verge of signing free-agent pitcher Scott Schoeneweis to a three-year deal, major league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.  —  Schoeneweis has experience as a starter and a reliever …

Mulder to return to Cardinals  —  After weeks of speculation, Mark Mulder has finally decided where he will pitch next season.  —  ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday that Mulder will return to the St. Louis Cardinals.  The guaranteed deal is for two years and $13 million …

Photos: Mets Mini-Camp  —  I pulled out my trusty camera phone at today's mini-camp in Port St. Lucie...  (David Wright)  —  More after the break ...

Worrell retires from Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Relief pitcher Tim Worrell retired Wednesday after a 14-year career that ended with the San Francisco Giants.  —  Worrell pitched for nine teams as a dependable, durable reliever and an occasional starter.

Anderson joins Brewers' broadcast team  —  New play-by-play announcer replaces popular Sutton  —  MILWAUKEE — The Brewers made it official Wednesday and named Brian Anderson of The Golf Channel to their television broadcast team.  —  Anderson will serve as the play-by-play announcer …

Grace will be back at Cubs Convention  —  When he told us last March that he was ready to come home, the Cubs weren't sure whether to believe him.  —  Well, they can believe it now.  —  Mark Grace has set aside six years of animosity and will return next week to the Cubs Convention …

Cubs may still have some moves to make  —  After spending nearly $300 million this off-season, the Cubs still aren't finished.  —  The team is trying to add two outfielders, and a trade of right fielder Jacque Jones remains a possibility.  —  Jones, signed for $9 million over the next two seasons …

Bears Quarterbacks Love to Party  —  Assuming this photo sent in by a reader is in fact Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman - the same one who dabbles in unintentional porn on the football field - then we need to start partying with the Chicago Bears quarterbacks.  Those guys know how to throw down.

Murcer vows to battle back from tumor  —  Ex-Bomber, current Yanks broadcaster says fight just starting  —  NEW YORK — Bobby Murcer, a Yankees broadcaster and former All-Star outfielder, has learned that a tumor removed from his brain last month was malignant.

Tainted title  —  Marises believe MLB should return HR crown to Roger  —  Mark McGwire was already on the mind of Rich Maris, one of the kids of Roger Maris, when I phoned him on Tuesday.  But that's only because earlier that day McGwire's annual $6,200 check had arrived to Roger's widow …

Preaching patience is name of game  —  They made a play for free agent sluggers Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano.  —  They told the Red Sox they were interested in outfielder Manny Ramirez.  —  They inquired of the Rockies about the availability of first baseman Todd Helton and with the White Sox about third baseman Joe Crede.

All Time Least Favorite Mets Team  —  Inspired by Bill Simmon's recent article where he suggests a way to torture a longtime Mets fan by asking him to make his "All-Time Least Favorite Mets" lineup, then tell him that he can pick only three outfielders between George Foster, Vince Coleman …