Gibbons given lifeline through 2008  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — John Gibbons's status as a lame-duck manager didn't even last until position players reported here for spring training.  —  According to sources close to Gibbons and Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi …

Koskie yet to heal from concussion  —  Third baseman will miss spring training  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Phoenix - After weeks of uncertainty, the Milwaukee Brewers now know that third baseman Corey Koskie will not be physically ready to take part in spring training …

Big Unit says he still has the stuff to dominate  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Randy Johnson made the familiar trek down Interstate 10 from his Paradise Valley home and found his name on the same spring training locker he occupied during the best seasons of his extraordinary career.

Zambrano optimistic about new deal  —  Righty is 85 to 90 percent sure agreement will be reached  —  MESA, Ariz. — Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano said he expects to reach some sort of agreement before Tuesday's scheduled arbitration hearing in Phoenix.  —  Zambrano said on Monday that he talked …

Pirates Notebook: Chacon has arthritis in knee  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Shawn Chacon freely allows that he will have to pitch through some pain in 2007.  —  Chacon, one of four starters vying for the lone vacancy in the rotation …

Fresh start for Milledge?  —  For the record, Lastings Milledge did show up early — position players were only required to let the Mets know they were in the neighborhood yesterday — and he did more than drop off equipment.  Milledge worked out with the handful of players already in camp …

A-Rod says he's not as close with Jeter as he was  —  TAMPA, Fla. — On the first day of his fourth season with the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez finally acknowledged his relationship with Derek Jeter has cooled.  —  After insisting for three years that they remained close, Rodriguez said it was …

NL West preview  —  CHICAGO STORY  —  CHRIS YOUNG, Diamondbacks  —  Center fielder with 30/30 combination of speed and power figures to haunt White Sox general manager Ken Williams, who traded him for Javier Vazquez.  He will be a regular at 23 this season and could have a Rookie of the Year season in him.

Fogg, Kim trying to earn spots with Rox  —  Righties not assured of starting roles this time around  —  TUCSON — Rockies right-handed pitchers Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim had several sparkling performances and some inconsistencies in 2006.  It was good enough for them to stay in the rotation …

Mets sign catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a Minor League contract  —  The New York Mets today signed catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  He is expected to join the team and be in uniform on Tuesday.  —  Alomar, 40, appeared in 27 games …

Mariners Notebook: Beltre looks bigger, but is he?  —  Third baseman says he's in shape for a fast start  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — To look at Adrian Beltre, you'd think he'd muscled up during the offseason.  —  His forearms are bigger.  His biceps are bigger.

Around the Grapefruit League  —  New York Mets: Carlos Beltran wants to be on the run a lot more this season for the Mets.  —  Two years removed from stealing 42 bases, the All-Star outfielder intends to be more of a base-stealing threat after swiping just 18 a year ago.

With a Year in the Books, O's Mazzone Set for Next Chapter  —  After less than a month as the Baltimore Orioles' pitching coach, Leo Mazzone, on a spring whim, had a blue and white pennant tattooed on his left arm.  Inside the pennant were the words "14 Straight," a tribute …

Tavarez: Ramírez a latecomer  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez said in a TV interview last night that Manny Ramírez will not report to camp until March 1 because his mother requires surgery for an undisclosed reason.  —  Tavarez, who is good friends …

Fans to pick all-time Gold Glove team  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brooks Robinson has made just one concession to age.  At the Orioles' fantasy camps these days, he plays first base so he doesn't have to bounce any throws across the diamond.  —  During his playing days, the Human Vacuum Cleaner …