Piniella changes Prior 'game plan'  —  Once-promising righty to get start Thursday vs. minor-leaguers  —  MESA, Ariz. — Mark Prior says he's taking baby steps this spring in his attempt to return to his old form.  —  But the next steps Prior takes will be down the street at the Cubs' minor-league camp.

Overcoming hype, O's top Matsuzaka, Red Sox … FORT MYERS, FLA. // Melvin Mora stumbled across home plate, stood in the opposite side of the batter's box and collected his thoughts, rather than a hit.  Jay Gibbons took two bad swings and flung his bat and helmet toward the visiting dugout.

Pirates Notebook: Grabow, Gorzelanny have rough outings  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Tom Gorzelanny struggled early and John Grabow struggled late yesterday.  —  The result for the Pirates was a 9-8 loss to Cincinnati.  —  Gorzelanny allowed six hits and four runs in the first inning, while Grabow …

Sanchez makes amends  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Duaner Sanchez returned and resumed working out with the Mets yesterday.  He also kept his word and apologized to his teammates for the repeated lateness that prompted his dismissal from camp Thursday.  —  "I think he owes every one of us an apology …

Edmonds a question mark for opening day  —  JUPITER, FLA. — The Cardinals outfield entered camp as a difficult lesson in long division: too many candidates for likely no more than five openings.  —  The equation may have become more vague Sunday.  —  After his first round …

Notes: Church trying to relax  —  Brother's recent deployment to Iraq weighing on his mind  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Nationals outfielder Ryan Church had conversations with bench coach Pat Corrales, Jose Cardenal, the team's special advisor to the general manager, and his younger brother, Matthew, on Saturday.

Sox endure pitching staff filled with pitching stiffs  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — It was a bright and sunny Sunday until it wasn't, when it became a dark and stormy night in the guise of Javier Vazquez.  It was 9:30 a.m.  —  Vazquez, who recently signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract extension …

Pavano pitches small fit  —  Gets peeved when pressed about sudden exit from park  —  TAMPA - Carl Pavano is ready to return to baseball, having rejoined his teammates at Legends Field.  And while he briefly discussed his early departure from the ballpark Friday night …

It's not easy being Greene  —  Talents, accomplishments make Padre shortstop a fan favorite, history of injuries and private nature leave critics asking for more  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Three bone fractures and one torn ligament later, Khalil Greene still has his admirers.

Three Hoping To Bag a Spot At First for Nats  —  Only a few puffy clouds dotted the otherwise perfectly blue sky Sunday afternoon over Holman Stadium.  The sun beat down on the dugouts, which have no roofs to hide the players.  There, Washington Nationals first baseman Larry Broadway sat, watched and wondered.

Five Questions: Los Angeles Angels  —  My original question was going to be what are the chances Gary Matthews Jr.'s 2006 season was for real.  While the season screams fluke, there have been players in the past who have established themselves as stars in their early 30s after being journeymen …

John Kruk Is With Leather  —  When the famous phrase "You're with me, leather" entered the lexicon, I didn't think anyone had John Kruk in mind.  I was wrong; ESPN most certainly did.  If you haven't seen the WWL's new fantasy baseball commercial and you don't want to see Krukie doing …

Spring Training: LaRoche fills out Pirates' lineup card  —  First baseman Adam LaRoche brings intangibles to the Pirates' lineup.  —  By Paul Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The Pirates didn't just get a cleanup hitter when they acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from Atlanta.

Andino, Amezaga recovering following collision  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Marlins infielders Robert Andino and Alfredo Amezaga each will take at least another day to recover from their collision Saturday.  —  "They're sore, but it's just your typical soreness from a collision," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Notes: Vargas making play for rotation  —  Multi-talented Rottino tries out catching; Iribarren in a groove  —  MESA, Ariz. — A team could do a lot worse for a fifth starter option than Claudio Vargas, and if the Milwaukee right-hander can continue to build on the improvement he made last year …