Under The Knife  —  Bonds Tests Positive  —  So now we have the definitive word: Barry Bonds did test positive...just not for the substance everyone expected.  T.J. Quinn of the New York Daily News broke the story when sources told him that Bonds failed a test in 2006 for amphetamines.

LO DUCA'S AGENT RETORTS THOMSON  —  Paul Lo Duca's agent, Dave Stewart, hadn't seen the critical comments Blue Jays righty John Thomson made about his client Wednesday afternoon.  He hadn't spoken to the Mets catcher as of yesterday afternoon, so he doubted Lo Duca had seen them, either.

Big Mac got his just due  —  I'd like to tell you that justice was served Tuesday, when Baseball Hall of Fame voters slammed the door in Mark McGwire's face.  I just don't know for sure if that's true.  —  Oh, McGwire got what he deserved, I don't doubt that.

Nationals agree to terms with pitchers Jerome Williams and Brandon Claussen  —  The Washington Nationals today added depth to their starting rotation by agreeing to terms with 25 year-old right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams on a one-year contract.  The Nationals also agreed to terms …

Baseball needs Frank Robinson  —  Frank Robinson doesn't want to manage again but says playing golf five days a week isn't his bag, either.  He's a baseball lifer.  —  Robinson, a Hall of Famer, is one of the game's icons, a natural resource who would leave a giant void if he ever left permanently.

The Rumor Mill: Coffee is for Closers  —  A lot of people we have spoken with over the last few weeks are mixed on their reactions to the New York Mets' offseason.  —  Sees like those who are confused about what Mets general manager Omar Minaya's motivations and machinations are …

Decision on Lopez soon … Rodrigo Lopez has been the Orioles' Opening Day starter three of the past five seasons, but it is becoming more and more unlikely that he'll be on the team's roster when spring training begins.  —  The Orioles, whose rotation is set, have been listening to inquiries …

Return of the Rocket?  —  It turns out Andy Pettitte is happy to be back in New York and wants to win another World Series.  Big surprise.  —  So what about Roger Clemens?  —  That's when the day got interesting.  Pettitte said he played golf with the Rocket this week and got the impression he wants to play next season.

Martinez expects fastball to return by midseason … NIGUA, Dominican Republic — New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is so surprised with his right shoulder rehabilitation that he is almost certain that he will recover the powerful fastball that helped him win three Cy Young Awards.

Is Scott Schoeneweis Any Good?  —  The Mets are closing in on signing Scott Schoeneweis to a three-year, $10.8 million contract.  In this market, that's not a lot of money, but for a team with a well-stocked bullpen—already including left-handed specialist Pedro Feliciano—the move is a bit confounding.

Padilla in good spirits after missing '06  —  Veteran right-hander hopes to latch onto Mets' bullpen this year  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Juan Padilla stood hunched over, hands behind his back, concentration etched on his face.  A few muffled snickers were heard as the veteran right-hander contorted …

Pirates looking beyond LaRoche  —  Glacial trade talks force expansion of search for power bat  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  The Pirates finally are turning seriously toward options other than Atlanta's Adam LaRoche for their coveted left-handed power bat, two sources said yesterday.

Pirates shuffle ownership group, titles  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Kevin McClatchy is dropping his title as the Pirates' managing general partner, officially ceding control of the franchise to another member of the team's board of directors, Robert Nutting.