Braves ink Redman to minor-league deal  —  The Altanta Braves, acting quickly to replace injured left-hander Mike Hampton, have signed free agent lefty Mark Redman to a minor-league contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Redman will pitch for the Braves Saturday in a Grapefruit League game …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Lou says there's no room for Pie  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — No matter how you slice it, Felix Pie is out.  That's the message Cubs manager Lou Piniella clearly delivered after another impressive performance by the touted young center fielder Thursday against the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex.

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.

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 …

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.

State of the Systems, AL Central  —  This year's State Of The Systems features some new categories, so before we get going, some explanation.  — 2007 Rookies: Simple enough: what first-year players will contribute in the big leagues this year.  — Minor League Road Trip …

There's another side to Hamilton story  —  The Josh Hamilton story is a great one.  Good for him.  It is nice to see Hamilton overcome his demons and start to thrive again.  Baseball is a game of redemption; when you fail there is always a chance to bounce back.

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.

Shea It Ain't So?  —  One of the more fun stories of this (and next) off-season is the opt-out provision in Alex Rodriguez' contract.  The bandwidth and destruction of woodlands to be enlisted in covering this event will be nothing short of staggering.  —  If you're into baseball voyeurism …

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 …

Notes: Yost sees Bill of goods  —  Manager says Hall has tools to be MVP  —  Phoenix - Bill Hall for National League most valuable player?  —  It could happen one day, according to Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost.  —  "I think Billy one year will contend for an MVP in the National League, I really do," Yost said Thursday.