Welcome to the club, Sammy  —  Daniels says Sosa, Hairston expected to be on opening day roster  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Maybe it was fitting Thursday that designated hitter Sammy Sosa blasted a home run on the day general manager Jon Daniels confirmed that Sosa had practically made the team.

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 …

Baptism by fire for NESN's Cervasio  —  When Tina Cervasio came to Boston last year to be a Red Sox reporter for NESN, she had to jump right in.  —  "My first game was the exhibition in Philadelphia, and the next day was Opening Day [in Texas]," said Cervasio.

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.

'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.

Relievers in short supply around baseball  —  TICK, TICK, TICK.  The Phillies have 2 weeks left in Florida.  Their bullpen remains unsettled.  —  The Phillies are on the clock.  —  And while it's probably no consolation, they're not the only team looking for relief help.

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 …

Rangers' Gagne closer to form  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Reliever Wes Littleton's eyes were wide in amazement as closer Eric Gagne walked off the field after getting three straight outs, including two strikeouts, in a Triple-A game Thursday.  —  "Did you see that change-up?"

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 …

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.

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.