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 tell Sanchez to stay home for 2nd day  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Duaner Sanchez's "one-day" absence has stretched into a second day.  The Mets told the injured reliever to stay home again on Friday as a continuing disciplinary measure because of repeated latenesses.

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.

Piniella finds the good in Miller  —  'Life' on pitches pleases manager  —  MESA, Ariz. — Wade Miller's second start wasn't pretty, but manager Lou Piniella saw a silver lining.  —  Miller allowed only one run but gave up six hits and two walks, apparently regressing from his first outing.

The Best Benches in the National League  —  Earlier this week, I took a look at the best benches in the American League.  Naturally, it's time to switch our focus to the senior circuit.  —  In general, benches appear to be a little weaker in the National League.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

An expert's take on Rays … ESPN's Peter Gammons might know more about baseball than anyone on the planet.  In the 1970s and '80s, his full-page Sunday columns in the Boston Globe became a must read not only for sports fans but baseball executives.  He went on to work for Sports Illustrated …

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 …