Pettitte admits to additional use of HGH in 2004  —  Pettitte Tells Congress that Clemens Talked About HGH  —  WASHINGTON — Andy Pettitte admitted using human growth hormone in 2004, saying it was supplied to him that time by his father, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.

Texas Rangers lack center piece to make big move  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - I dreaded packing up the old homestead, leaving the wonder dog behind, and heading for the desert for a couple of weeks.  —  Then, I landed in Arizona Tuesday.  The sky was clear, the air was crisp, the desert was alive and the In-N-Out Burger was open.

WANG WILL NOT GET LONG CONTRACT  —  Chien-Ming Wang's desire to sign a multi-year deal with the Yankees isn't going to be fulfilled.  Nor does it look like the ace right-hander and the club are going to avoid an arbitration hearing tomorrow in St. Petersburg.

Twins Sign Livan Hernandez  —  Faced with the possibility of an entirely 26-and-under rotation following the trade of Johan Santana, the Twins predictably acquired a veteran starter yesterday by signing Livan Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $5 million plus $2 million in incentives.

Marlins: Immaturity was a problem in '07  —  After an offseason self-evaluation, second-year manager Fredi Gonzalez said he's “going to do some stuff different” — including a bigger emphasis on defense after the Marlins committed a baseball-leading 137 errors last season.

Longoria earns chance to win job in spring training … ST. PETERSBURG - Prospect Evan Longoria's chances of being the Rays' opening-day third baseman are still not clear.  But at least he'll have the chance to show whether or not he's ready for the job.  —  Manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday …

Feb. 12 — BENSON ON THE WAY?  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Just got off the phone with Kris Benson's agent, who says a deal between the free-agent right-hander and the Phillies may be struck within the next 24 to 36 hours.  —  Gregg Clifton told me he has been speaking with Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr …

Building Blocks: Huntington finds value in evaluation  —  Last in a series / Pirates' GM installs intricate system to analyze players  —  Neal Huntington's desk at PNC Park is swamped by scouting reports and statistics, bulging out of binders, all bouncing to the rhythm of a vibrating cell phone.

B.J. FIRING  —  Gregg Zaun was not talking about the Mitchell Report yesterday, but he was answering questions about catching closer B.J. Ryan Monday during a bullpen session.  —  “I was shocked at how loose he was,” Zaun said.  “He threw 35 pitches and every one was crisp.

Looking ahead: The options game  —  DETROIT — Spring training starts this week, which means the guessing game for the 25-man opening day roster starts, too.  —  You'll need to know who has minor-league options remaining, and sure enough I got an e-mail this morning from Glenn, asking about just that.

Spring reality check  —  MESA, Ariz. — If no news is good news, then the news out of Fitch Park was great for the Cubs on the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training.  —  Almost as great as the 75-degree, blue-skied backdrop.  —  No visa-related no-shows, no hot-tub injuries, no Mark Prior sightings.

Home run apple will follow New York Mets to new ballpark  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The huge fiberglass apple that pops up when the New York Mets hit home runs will follow them to their new ballpark when it opens next year.  —  “The big home run apple is coming,” the team's chief operating officer …