DirecTV, MLB agree; cable companies still negotiating  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball announced its $700 million, seven-year agreement with DirecTV on Thursday and said the deal contains a provision that allows its "Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games to remain on cable television …

Nationals release Womack, trim roster  —  Team reduces number of players in Major League camp to 56  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals trimmed their roster from 72 to 56 on Thursday, when they gave infielder Tony Womack his unconditional release and reassigned infielders Tony Blanco …

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 …

On Clemens, a resounding YES  —  On Wednesday night, the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network was scheduled to air an exhibition game between the Bombers and Reds.  Instead, the network presented its tribute to Roger Clemens.  —  Who cares about a meaningless game when YES …

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.

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 …

Rest in Peace, Vuk  —  Philadelphia Phillies coach John Vukovich passed away this morning around 10am.  I heard the news from a friend a few minutes after I finished my outing in Ft Myers.  John Vukovich was the closest thing I had to a father since my dad passed away 19 years ago.

Coats, Pie propel Cubs past Padres  —  Outfielders combine for five hits; Wood allows grand slam  —  Cubs 8, Padres 6  —  Padres at the plate: Terrmel Sledge continued his hot spring with his third home run, a grand slam in the fourth inning that tied the game at 5.  He's hitting .400 this spring with seven RBIs.

Patience is no virtue to Jacobs  —  VERO BEACH - Among the adjustments Mike Jacobs could be forced to make at the plate this season: leaving the bat on his shoulder on the first pitch.  —  Only a handful of National League hitters swung at the first pitch more often than Jacobs last season.

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 …

More muscles, less McDonald's  —  VERO BEACH — Miguel Cabrera always commands attention at the plate, but the All-Star third baseman has been turning heads this spring because of his impressive physique.  —  "His weight is the same but he has put on some muscle.  He looks good," hitting coach Jim Presley said.

Bulk mail ...  We've got an overflowing mailbag this week, with topics ranging from Papelbon to Dice-K to Manny and back again  —  The mailbag is back!  Starting this week, Boston Globe baseball writer Gordon Edes checks in every week (usually on Wednesdays or Thursdays) to answer your questions on the Red Sox.

A Spring Tradition Fades for Pitchers  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Brad Penny finished his two-inning stint, then took off on the dead run.  The All-Star ace cut across the field at Dodgertown, darted behind the right-field fence and ducked into the clubhouse.  —  Almost out of sight, too …

Love of Your Team Can Soon Be Everlasting  —  For the baseball fan who has everything in the here and now, how about a team-licensed urn for his ashes in the hereafter?  —  Yes, Yankees fans, an aluminum urn with pinstripes, the interlocking NY logo, a place on top for a ball that you might …