Diamondbacks reliever might cost too much  —  KISSIMMEE - The Marlins are looking into Diamondbacks reliever Jorge Julio, but adding the hard-throwing right-hander would require a significant payroll hike by their standards.  —  Julio is available, but according to one baseball man monitoring …

Was Pedro worth it?  You better believe it  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It was worth it.  —  Even if Pedro Martinez never pitches another inning for the Mets, it was worth signing him.  For that matter, the deal that took the pitcher out of Boston and landed him in New York …

Sosa wins spot on Rangers roster  —  GM says slugger will be with Texas on Opening Day  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — First, Sammy Sosa smiled mischieviously as he started to get dressed in the visiting clubhouse at Tucson Electric Park.  —  Then he put his hands together and looked angelically toward heaven.

'Little strain' sidelines Wood  —  With Prior struggling, it seems like typical spring for Cubs  —  MESA, Ariz. — The days of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior dominating the talk of a Cubs spring training were supposed to be over, but there were the former co-aces of the pitching staff Thursday standing …

Notes: Igawa still making adjustments  —  Cabrera flashes leather; Hughes, Ehlers honored before game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Eight of Kei Igawa's first nine pitches missed the strike zone Thursday, and with two Atlanta Braves on base and none out, Ron Guidry made an unexpectedly early trot to the mound.

Items from around Florida and Arizona ...  Around the horn at spring training:  — The Cardinals' starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise; right-handers Kip Wells, Braden Looper and Adam Wainwright have combined to allow three runs in 352/3 innings.

Carp lookin' sharp at Met camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Mike Carp introduced himself to Damion Easley during an informal workout even before Mets position players reported, eager to share the news that they both attended Lakewood High School in Southern California.  —  "He was saying how he had a couple of records," Carp recalled.

Dollars, Not Jeers, Will Send Rodriguez Packing  —  Earlier this week, apparently as part of an ongoing campaign to irritate Yankees fans as much as possible, Alex Rodriguez said on the radio, "I want to 100% stay in New York.  Period.  That's it."  He then intimated that if fans don't stop booing him …

Epstein not in a hurry  —  GM feels Red Sox have time to assess  —  GM Theo Epstein likes what he sees from the Sox this spring.  (CHARLES KRUPA/ASSOCIATED PRESS)  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein figures that sometime next week teams will begin to assess …

Former MLB commissioner Kuhn dies at 80  —  PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who lorded over baseball during 15 tumultuous years that saw players gain free agency and start the spiral of multimillion-dollar salaries, died Thursday.  He was 80.

First pitch, March 16  —  GAME DAY  —  Second baseman Kaz Matsui was out of the lineup for the Rockies' 5-2 victory against Oakland on Thursday at Hi Corbett Field because of a strained right forefoot.  He suffered the injury when he stepped on a baseball during a workout Wednesday. …

Phillies Notes |  Manuel yet to pick opening-day starter  —  Phillies Notes  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Charlie Manuel said last week that he probably would know his Opening Day starter by yesterday.  —  Yesterday came and went without an announcement.  —  The choice is between righthanders Brett Myers and Freddy Garcia.

60 seconds with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo  —  Staff writer Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who finger-fishes.  —  Tell me about finger-fishing.  —  In the Dominican, we fish like that, with the line tied around your finger.  —  Just go to Wal-Mart and buy a fishing rod.