Rocket visits Yanks; no decision yet  —  Pettitte, Jeter think Clemens will pitch again, when he's ready  —  TAMPA, Fla. — As Andy Pettitte warmed up on the mound before Wednesday night's game against the Reds, Roger Clemens settled into a seat next to the Yankees dugout, just behind Joe Torre.

A's dealt a blow  —  Kotsay to have back surgery, likely out until June  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics center fielder Mark Kotsay could be sidelined up to three months following arthroscopic surgery on his back Thursday.  —  The procedure, to be performed in Los Angeles …

Guzman grabs hold of opportunity … ST. PETERSBURG - The best news that Rays prospect Joel Guzman heard when he was traded from the Dodgers late last season was that his new team wanted him to return to the infield.  —  As Guzman - a former shortstop - sprouted to 6 feet 6 …

Mariners Notebook: Mellow Bonds shows up with little fanfare  —  Scene surrounding Bonds mirrors his mellow attitude  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — If you didn't know better, you'd have sworn Barry Bonds was the happiest, most carefree guy in the world.  —  As he came to the plate …

Buehrle's contract open for discussion  —  Parties express similar sentiments; free agency looms  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — The doors remain wide open on both sides in regard to negotiations for a multi-year contract between the White Sox and Mark Buehrle.  —  But by reading between the lines …

Martinez lightly throws  —  Mets ace tosses ball for first time since surgery in Oct.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Pedro Martinez threw a baseball Wednesday for the first time since rotator cuff surgery last October.  —  The New York Mets ace lightly tossed a ball for about 10 minutes …

Lou and Ted ... enough said  —  In this corner, wearing a baby bear patch on his chest and a glove on his right hand, Ted ''The Toronto Mauler'' Lilly. ...  In the other corner, wearing three World Series rings and a 5 o'clock shadow, Sweet Looooouuuuu Piniella.  —  Let's get ready to — well, you get the idea.

Younger Garciaparra makes his own comeback with M's  —  Michael bounced back by not trying to be like Nomar  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Nomar Garciaparra might have been baseball's comeback player of the year last season, but his little brother has become a nice comeback story himself.

Rocker denies he had prescription for HGH  —  Former major league relief pitcher John Rocker told ESPN Radio on Wednesday that he was directed by doctors to take over-the-counter supplements that would raise his human growth hormone levels — and that he never purchased human growth hormone with a prescription.

Which 'pen is the cream of the crop?  —  American League relief squads take four of the top five spots  —  A good bullpen doesn't guarantee a postseason berth, but just try to get to the playoffs without one.  Last season five of the eight playoff teams had bullpens that finished …

Throwing Out the First Pitch  —  I've done it.  I've caved and am actually taking the blog plunge.  There's no single reason for it, but over the life of this space we'll touch on a few.  —  I've been called everything from outspoken to blowhard to much, much worse.

Notes: Fielder ready to return to lineup  —  First baseman says he'll be available to play Thursday  —  PHOENIX — So much for Prince Fielder's return to action.  —  The Brewers first baseman has been sidelined by a strained right quadriceps and was expected to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Kapler is managing nicely  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .  An entire other baseball universe exists.  While Daisuke Matsuzaka and the rest of the varsity were taking on the Florida Marlins across the state in Jupiter, the hopefuls and the wannabes …