Mussina fast and furious in spring debut  —  TAMPA - Mike Mussina won eight of his first nine decisions last season, and Joe Torre believes the fast start was due in part to Mussina concentrating on throwing his fastball during spring training.  —  So Torre was happy yesterday when Mussina threw …

What a relief!  McCarthy covets fresh start  —  He wasn't very happy in Chicago, but he has potential to thrill Rangers, writes Phil Rogers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Brandon McCarthy still doesn't get it.  —  But in dealing with the surprising off-season trade that sent him from the White Sox …

A-Rod wants to opt out of speculation  —  TAMPA - Alex Rodriguez knows the speculation about his opt-out clause is going to be there all season.  He knows there will be more days like Friday, when this newspaper put him on the back page and proclaimed that he sounded like a "future Cub" …

Papelbon begins painting — with broader strokes  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Even in an exhibition game on the first Saturday in March, baseball can still provide you with one of those moments.  —  It was the third inning of yesterday's game with the Phillies.

Prospectus Q&A  —  Reid Nichols … David Laurila: What brought you to Milwaukee, and what approach did you bring to the table when you became the team's Director of Player Development?  —  Reid Nichols: I had been in Texas for eight years—seven as farm director and the last as the Rangers …

Welcome to the club, Gary  —  If it is true about Gary Matthews Jr., if he was buying human growth hormone online, trying to order a better career for himself the way people order movies from Netflix, then Matthews is the new poster boy for it all.  He is the poster boy for this season …

Health issues won't deter Guerrero  —  Angels outfielder expects to have strong year with bat, glove  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — When the Angels talk about getting a leg up on the competition, they could be referring to the right one attached to seven-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero's imposing frame.

O's Perlozzo adjusts his stance … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // He stood stoically near the third-base line with his arms folded, and his eyes, hidden by a pair of dark sunglasses, fixated on the field in front of him.  It was a warm day at Fort Lauderdale Stadium and the monotony …

Price is still right for Mike  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Way back when, Nolan Ryan was in spring training, preparing for his second season with the Rangers, and he was reminded of just how underpaid he would be at a mere $1 million.  —  Based on the previous year's performance …

Helton balks at talk of past Angels rumors  —  Tucson - For a few fleeting moments in December, there was a chance Todd Helton would wear an Angels uniform.  The deal fizzled before Helton had an opportunity to exercise his veto clause.  —  On Saturday with the Angels at Hi Corbett Field …

Mitchell must focus on the true offenders  —  Tucson - The alphabet soup continues to scream trouble for baseball.  —  Where DH once was a dirty word, HGH now plagues the sport.  Gary Matthews Jr. and Jerry Hairston Jr. are among the players linked to an ongoing investigation into the sale …

Phillies Notes |  Dobbs slugs his way toward Phils' roster  —  Phillies Notes  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Greg Dobbs is swinging the bat like a man with something to prove.  The lefthanded-hitting infielder-outfielder went 4 for 5 with four RBIs and four runs in helping the Phillies beat the Boston Red Sox, 12-9, in 10 innings yesterday.