Patterson Is in Very Good Form  —  Only a few fans were around when John Patterson took the mound at 10 a.m. Thursday.  "It's a little more relaxed down here," Patterson said.  —  "Down here" is at the Washington Nationals' minor league complex down the road from Space Coast Stadium.

Baseball Bends on TV Plan, but Doubts Linger  —  Major League Baseball does not like the terminology, but it appears to have buckled to pressure from devoted fans irate that the Extra Innings package of out-of-market games would be the exclusive property of DirecTV.  —  Appears is the operative word.

Rocket signals  —  Yankees eager to give Clemens $4 million per month  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees took advantage of Roger Clemens' attendance at Legends Field on Wednesday to ask Clemens back to the Bronx, SI.com has learned.  —  However, Clemens' answer to the Yankees didn't exactly clear up the situation.

Mets Fasten Seat Belts After a Day of Turbulence  —  So far, the Mets have enjoyed a peaceful, easy spring, smiling at the Yankees' occasional soap operas and brushing aside the Phillies' claims that they are going to win the division this season.  Their first serious turbulence arrived Thursday …

Angels' Owner Wants Matthews to Talk  —  When Arte Moreno, the Angels' owner, decided to commit $50 million to Gary Matthews Jr. over the next five years, he thought Matthews would enhance the pleasure he would derive from his team.  However, the first few weeks of Matthews's tenure with the Angels have produced pain instead.

ESPN analyst Phillips is Ozzie's latest target  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Thursday he hopes ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips' latest statement about him is correct.  —  Because as far as Guillen is concerned, if Phillips is right about his speculation …

With Hampton out, Braves need to make move  —  For all the talk about how the Braves' bullpen led to the team's downfall last season, the starting rotation actually had a higher ERA.  —  The 2007 rotation is expected to improve from within, but the loss of left-hander Mike Hampton for at least …

Word of encouragement: Matsuzaka picking up English  —  FORT MYERS - Yesterday morning at City of Palms Park, new Red Sox [team stats] pitching coach John Farrell was jogging with the team's phenom-in-training, Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  And, as jogging buddies will do, Farrell and Matsuzaka talked …

Buchholz expecting bullpen work  —  Tucson - As starters go, Taylor Buchholz profiles as an effective reliever.  —  After his performance in the Rockies' 7-4 win Thursday over the White Sox, Buchholz talked about the possibility of working out of the bullpen, his likely role with the Rockies this season.

Rowand talk resurfacing  —  Former Sox OF could return since Phils need relievers  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — There may indeed be a familiar face from the 2005 World Series team getting a deal done with the White Sox this spring — just not Mark Buehrle, as was erroneously reported on a Chicago radio station.

Reliever Josh Kinney will miss season after surgery  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Three days after Josh Kinney could not straighten his right arm when rising from the dugout bench for a cup of water, the Cardinals on Thursday confirmed the reliever will require season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Finding 8th hitter a major priority  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Can the Padres hit well enough to keep fans awake at Petco Park this year?  —  Will San Diego's offense finish among the National League's bottom four in runs scored for a third consecutive season?  —  Although first-year manager Bud Black …