Waxman Regrets Hearing Was Held  —  WASHINGTON — A day after a dramatic, nationally televised hearing that pitted Roger Clemens against his former personal trainer and Democrats against Republicans, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said Thursday …

Mets, Perez still negotiating  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets keep talking with agent Scott Boras in the hope of avoiding arbitration with left-hander Oliver Perez by signing him to a long-term contract.  —  The Mets are also talking with Boras about a one-year contract.

Pap strikes balance  —  Closer full of fun, yet focused … FORT MYERS - Right before our eyes, Jonathan Papelbon [stats] has transformed himself from dazzling but mostly low-key rookie to Top Gun closer and nationally recognized Dancin' Man.  —  And he seems to have pulled it off without raising …

Texas Rangers, Kinsler in contract talks  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Last year, the Rangers celebrated the start of the exhibition season by announcing a five-year contract with Michael Young.  —  Could this year's lucky winner be Ian Kinsler?

Feds' typo spurs erroneous report on Bonds test  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors mistakenly filed court papers Thursday that incorrectly stated that Barry Bonds failed a steroids test in November of 2001 — one month after breaking the single-season home run mark.

Zito to start Opening Day  —  (02-15) 04:00 PST Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Giants have a message for those who are ready to anoint Matt Cain the staff ace: Not so fast.  —  Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Barry Zito will pitch the March 31 season opener in Los Angeles, with Cain pitching the next night.

More from Legends, err, George M. Steinbrenner Field  —  Legends Field has been renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field, it was announced today.  The Hillsborough County Commission and the Tampa City Council each passed unanimous resolutions supporting such a change earlier this month …

Harper: Mussina clean, not angry  —  TAMPA - You'd think Mike Mussina would be angry, full of resentment for the steroid users, big names and small, teammates and opponents.  In some ways he is the quintessential example of a player who paid a price for pitching in the steroids era while resisting …

GENERATION TREY IS HERE TO STAY  —  Phil Hughes has been relocated from the outer edges of the Legends Field home clubhouse to the main pitchers row, stationed between Andy Pettitte and Carl Pavano.  So Hughes is now sandwiched by HGH and HMO.  —  The new address bespeaks the importance of not just Hughes …

Fasano sings the backup blues  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — This should be the best of times for veteran catcher Sal Fasano, on the eve of major-league baseball spring training.  —  His infant son, Santino, born in September, is thriving after enduring two heart operations through the first five months of his life.

Changes in home run rates during the Retrosheet years  —  I make no bones about it.  Retrosheet is a monumental achievement, and equally effective in diminishing worker productivity in corporate America.  —  The Colorado Rockies did two things in 1993: They were part of the expansion of the league …

Rockies win arbitration case vs. reliever Fuentes  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An arbitration panel decided in favor of the Colorado Rockies on Friday, ruling reliever Brian Fuentes should be paid $5.05 million this year rather than his request for $6.5 million.

Lopez loses arbitration case  —  Infielder will make $4.9 million instead of $5.2 million sought  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals infielder Felipe Lopez lost his arbitration case Thursday night and will make $4.9 million instead of the $5.2 million he was seeking.

Madden: Pedro proud he's clean  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - One can only imagine Pedro Martinez's bemusement, watching the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing as he did on Wednesday, and listening Andy Pettitte being hailed by the congressmen as some sort of hero for owning …

Long-term deal for Phillips  —  Brandon Phillips and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed in principle to a long-term deal, a source close to the negotiations told The Dayton Daily News Thursday night.  —  Terms and length of the deal were not available, but the long-term deal is done …