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 …

Grudzielanek due surgery after exam reveals torn knee cartilage  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek became the Royals' first major spring casualty Sunday when an examination revealed torn cartilage in his left knee.  —  Grudzielanek left camp in late morning for Kansas City …

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" …

Ozzie's offensive, hypocritical act getting old  —  Let me guess what might happen here.  I'm going to criticize Ozzie Guillen as a serial defamer, a reckless hypocrite who unfairly questions the late-night habits of departed Brandon McCarthy only months after Guillen ripped the Oakland Athletics for …

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 …

Making of an MVP  —  Reyes ready to run away with award from leadoff spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - MVP voters dig the longball.  But, says Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, don't count out Jose Reyes stealing the award in the not-too-distant future, despite a power infatuation that sometimes shortchanges leadoff men.

Race remains an issue, but for different reasons  —  Spring training invites hope throughout baseball, with one exception.  When it comes to black Americans returning to the game or even embracing it in great numbers, there's no hope.  —  Here at the Mets' camp, only a handful of players are black.

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.

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 …

Notes: Patterson kicks off his spring  —  Zimmerman to discuss contract on Sunday; Schneider's a dad  —  VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander John Patterson made his first start of the exhibition season on Saturday afternoon and gave up one run in two innings against the Orioles.  —  It was his first start since July 9, 2006.

Moores is world serious  —  'Why not?' asks Padres' impressionable chairman  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - John Moores says a World Series title isn't out of the question for the Padres this year.  —  "I was obviously disappointed as hell in the postseason - but I think this team potentially is a notch …

Sweeney's grand finale?  —  Injury-prone Royals captain says he needs to prove he's healthy in the last year of his contract.  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. |  Mike Sweeney understands the skepticism that greets his insistence that, really, he does feel great.  It's been six years now, after all …

Cox says he might retire after 2 more years  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Bobby Cox is beginning to think about retirement.  —  While he hasn't made a final decision, the longtime Atlanta Braves manager said Saturday that he might step aside after two more seasons.

Guerrero feels 'good' about offense  —  Former MVP says team has plenty of big bats and the ability to make it to the World Series.  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — The Angels promised a big bat.  They did not deliver, again.  So, for the second consecutive season, Vladimir Guerrero could stand alone …

Fans must prepare for disappointment with tribe  —  Slim chance that team can afford Sabathia, Hafner, Westbrook  —  LAKELAND, FLA - No matter how the Indians perform this year, the potential exodus of C.C. Sabathia, Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook will hang over Jacobs Field like an impending thunderstorm.

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 …