Gagne to start on DL to get more work  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Eric Gagne will start the season on the disabled list for the Texas Rangers, a move the team is making to give the closer more time to come back from elbow and back operations.  —  The Rangers said Gagne hasn't had any health setbacks.

Minnesota fails to retain possession  —  Schilling sparks Cup-clinching win  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Playoff atmosphere.  Almost like Red Sox-Yankees, 2003 and 2004.  —  The Sox and Minnesota Twins went at one another for the fifth and final time in Grapefruit League play last night …

Will Cubs' dollars make sense?  —  Zambrano mulls contract terms as deadline nears  —  MESA, Ariz. — As Carlos Zambrano spoke about his contract negotiations Thursday at HoHoKam Park, a pacifier was perched on a shelf in his locker.  —  Was somebody trying to tell Zambrano something?

A's to place first baseman Johnson on DL  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics first baseman Dan Johnson will begin the season on the disabled list after being diagnosed with torn cartilage in his left hip, manager Bob Geren said Thursday.  —  Johnson was injured Monday in a collision at first with Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba.

In a Shift, Younger and Cheaper Will Make the Roster  —  Sean Henn has no idea where the Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees open the season.  He will drive to Pennsylvania if the Yankees send him there, making a gloomy two-day journey.  —  If Henn makes the major league roster …

Cabrera confident for start of season … COLUMBUS, OHIO // While two charter buses ran idle outside Cooper Stadium here, a throng of fans crowded near the exit of the visiting clubhouse for Orioles' autographs after the team's rare appearance in Ohio's capital city.

Rogers placed on disabled list  —  Tigers left-hander will miss season's start due to fatigued arm  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers will go into the 2007 season without one of their heroes from last postseason.  The team placed Kenny Rogers on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with what is being described as a fatigued arm.

Notes: Brewers roster nearly finalized  —  Position player spot, bullpen job still to be determined  —  PHOENIX — Vinny Rottino grew up about a half hour's drive from Milwaukee, yet he has never been to a Brewers home opener.  Now that he is vying for the team's final roster spot …

The cost of doing business: A fans' guide to understanding the '07 Sox payroll  —  The Red Sox [team stats] partied like a bunch of drunken sailors over the winter, freely spending money in an attempt to get back to the postseason.  But if you're trying to determine just how much the 2007 Red Sox have cost …

Player Profile  —  Austin Kearns  —  Unlike former teammate Adam Dunn, who has had disappointing stretches or seasons, Austin Kearns has never really produced over the course of a full season, despite the praised heaped on him before ever earning a spot in the majors.

Twins roster set; Durbin, Rabe gone  —  The Twins finalized their roster today after pitcher J.D. Durbin was claimed on waivers by Arizona.  —  The Twins finalized their roster today after pitcher J.D. Durbin was claimed on waivers by Arizona.  —  Outfielder Josh Rabe was notified that he'll …

Marlins make final roster moves  —  JUPITER — The young Marlins got a little older Thursday when two thirtysomethings won the final places on the roster.  —  Infielder Jason Wood, 37, beat out outfielder John Gall for the last bench spot; right-hander Lee Gardner, 32, edged righty Nate Field for the final bullpen spot.

Mets take on two more; two more spots remain  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — With the Mets packing everything in boxes for the trip north, GM Omar Minaya did some housecleaning of his own Thursday with the roster, but it appears that the final version won't be ready until Friday afternoon.

Still fired up about Floyd  —  GM still in pitcher's corner even though he didn't make club  —  HOOVER, Ala. — It's hardly a secret that general manager Ken Williams fully expected Gavin Floyd to break camp as the White Sox's fifth starter.  —  After all, Floyd was the centerpiece …

Indians uncover lost Chapman plaque  —  CLEVELAND — Tucked away and forgotten for years, a plaque commemorating one of baseball's darkest moments has been brought back to life.  —  A 175-pound bronzed memorial for Ray Chapman, the Cleveland Indians shortstop killed when he was hit in the head …