Walker could be a keeper  —  The versatile infielder should stick with the club following Durazo's release  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was far from an ordinary week for Todd Walker.  —  After spending nearly all of spring with the San Diego Padres, Walker was caught by surprise on Monday when the team released him.

To Tighten Drug Tests, Baseball Teams Secretly Monitor Players  —  When the Yankees' pitchers and catchers arrived for spring training in mid-February, they saw signs taped up in the clubhouse bathroom reminding them that they would be tested for drugs.  They knew the drill …

Pirates Notebook: Eldred completes big leap  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Big Country made the big team.  —  Despite missing most of last season to injury, despite having to impress at a position he previously had played in college …

Notes: Hammock back in the bigs  —  Catcher named to Opening Day roster after fighting injury  —  PHOENIX — At the end of Spring Training, there is always a feel-good story or two as teams set their final rosters.  —  This is one of them.  —  Manager Bob Melvin informed catcher Robby Hammock …

Norton on DL, will undergo knee surgery  —  Rays IF/OF expected to miss four to six weeks after procedure  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Greg Norton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday after it was discovered he needs to have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Marquis, Soriano shine in spring finale  —  Righty allows one run in four frames; slugger scores lone run  —  MARINERS 2, CUBS 1  —  Mariners at the plate: Gookie Dawkins went 2-for-3 with a sixth-inning RBI double that drove in Adam Jones and put the Mariners ahead.

Notes: Feliciano feeling confident  —  Delgado seeking improvement; Zimmer remembers first camp  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pedro Feliciano smiled when an unfamiliar reporter complimented the left-hander on his success out of the Mets bullpen this spring.  —  "I worked hard in the offseason …

Towers named Jays' No. 5 starter  —  Zambrano to pitch out of bullpen; Thomson placed on DL  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays announced Saturday that Josh Towers will be the No. 5 starter, with Victor Zambrano moving to the bullpen.  —  "I'm definitely happy," said Towers …

Orioles Make Final Cut  —  The Baltimore Orioles' 25-man Opening Day roster, which will be announced Sunday, will include one big surprise.  Left-handed reliever Brian Burres has made the team, while reliever Todd Williams cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Norfolk, according to one baseball source.

Deadline Nears for TV Negotiations  —  Major League Baseball continued to negotiate yesterday with cable operators and the Dish Network in an effort to persuade them to carry the Extra Innings package of out-of-market games and the fledgling MLB Channel.  —  M.L.B. made a seven-year …

Rays keep Gomes, send Cantu down  —  Former starting second baseman asks for trade after demotion  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Jonny Gomes is on the team, Jorge Cantu is not.  —  That's how it went down early Saturday morning when the Devil Rays pared down their roster to 25.

Notes: Rehabbing pitchers to stay warm  —  Colon, Weaver to pitch at Class A Rancho Cucamonga  —  ANAHEIM — Keeping warm takes on new meaning this week for rehabbing Angels pitchers Bartolo Colon and Jared Weaver.  —  Colon, recovering from a torn right rotator cuff, and Weaver …

Friendly Confines getting nasty  —  Demanding Cubs fans become more vocal, impatient each year  —  LAS VEGAS — Juan Pierre spent only one season in Chicago, but it was long enough to learn that modern-day Cubs fans aren't nearly as docile as their reputation suggests.

Grit goes long way  —  Erstad's old-school work ethic impresses new Sox teammates  —  ATLANTA — With Darin Erstad, what you see is literally what you get: Toughened scruffy-growth-of-beard exterior, jaw-jutting determined look, forward-slant walk and all-out run.