Crisp's finger not yet sharp  —  FORT MYERS - Coco Crisp still is experiencing the aftereffects of a fractured left index finger almost a year after suffering the injury, according to Terry Francona.  —  The Red Sox [team stats] manager said that his switch-hitting center fielder recently told …

Milledge Looks to Rein in Free Spirit but Retain Flair  —  Willie Randolph eyed the 20 or so reporters encircling him in the dugout and, with a sigh, prepared for what he considered inevitable.  —  "Come on, give me the first Milledge negative question," Randolph said.  "Come on, throw it at me.

Arbitration on tap for Zambrano  —  Barring late deal, hearing will be Cubs' first since 1993  —  MESA, Ariz. — Despite personal assurances that a deal would be struck in time to avoid an arbitration hearing scheduled for today, contract talks between the Cubs and ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano headed late …

Young to compete for spot with Nats  —  First baseman battled through many personal problems in '06  —  VIERA, Fla. — When Nationals general manager Jim Bowden contacted first baseman Dmitri Young almost two weeks go, Bowden started the conversation by asking, "Do you need a tow?"  —  They both laughed.

2006 EWSL Wrapup By Team  —  As I did last year, before diving into my preseason Established Win Shares Levels roster analyses, I'm going to take a quick look back at last season's.  First up is the team-by-team results.  For those of you who need a primer on EWSL and my annual roster roundups, go here.

Benson will hold off on surgery … Orioles pitcher Kris Benson will put off surgery to repair his torn right rotator cuff and instead undergo a rehabilitation process, which could last a month, in a final attempt to pitch in 2007, a baseball source said last night.

Long way from Shea for former Mets star Ordonez  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -The first day of Rey Ordonez comeback couldn't have been any more humbling.  Or wet.  —  The former Gold Glover with the New York Mets began his first day on a baseball diamond since 2004 by fielding ground balls hit by a Mariners coach.

Alomar backstop insurance  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets signed catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to a minor-league contract yesterday, a move that gives them added depth behind the plate and reunites the catcher with his father, the team's third-base coach.  —  Alomar, 40, batted a combined .278 …

Rangers GM has yet to pass test  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The newest Rangers manager was walking off the practice field following the team's first workout of the spring Sunday when he suddenly remembered just who he was and what he was supposed to be doing.  —  "Oh hell, Art," …

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 …

Beltran turns the page  —  Final out of NLCS a popular talking point at camp Monday  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The hangover persists.  And now that the public eye again can focus on Carlos Beltran, it may get worse.  No "hair of the dog" exists for this one.

He's on deck once again  —  Santo tries to be upbeat about his Hall of Fame chances  —  MESA, Ariz. — Another opportunity to make the Hall of Fame is coming up for Ron Santo, and although he's cautiously optimistic about next Tuesday's Veterans Committee balloting, Santo has learned the hard way to keep his emotions in check.

Baseball caps to have new feel  —  A pitcher stands on the mound in the August sun, tugging at the bill of his sweat-soaked cap, stained white with the salt of his labors.  —  That might be an image of the past if Major League Baseball's new caps work according to plan.