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 …

Cox greets 27th season, maybe more beyond  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Today might be the last time Bobby Cox welcomes pitchers and catchers to spring training as a major league manager.  Then again, it might not be.  —  “I don't really look at it that way,” the Braves manager said Wednesday …

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.

Mets name Sandy Alomar, Jr. catching instructor  —  FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today named Sandy Alomar, Jr. the club's catching instructor.  —  Alomar, 41, concluded a 20-year major league career last season with the Mets.  The six-time American League All-Star and recipient …

Surfing the Mets: Jose Reyes takes blame for last year's meltdown  —  Jose Reyes predicts he'll be even faster in 2008.  He concentrated on long-distance running in the Dominican to increase his stamina, the Mets shortstop said Friday.  —  Reyes also took his share of responsibility for last year's collapse.

Papelbon's swagger extends to spring  —  Closer sees Red Sox as ‘team to beat’ on opening day of camp  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — As he made his way along the highways and byways of Florida, eventually winding up in Fort Myers on Thursday in time to report for the start of Spring Training …

Making the grades  —  How did each team do this winter?; news and notes  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Time to finally put down the gavel, and to pick up some bats and baseballs.  It was great to see Johan Santana throwing in the pen here Thursday morning and Pedro Martinez tossing …

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.

UTK Wrap  —  Red and Green  —  Pitchers and catchers have started to report; by next week, we'll have some real injuries.  Until then, I'll continue to not learn the lesson that every young sportswriter should learn—never make predictions.  —  Each year at Baseball Prospectus, I've done Team Health Reports.

Fasano sings the backup blues  —  Veteran catcher questions his future with the Jays after Barajas signing  —  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 …

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.

Breaking the News to Paul O'Neill About No.21  —  Paul O'Neill did not sound perturbed about the Yankees taking his No. 21 out of storage and giving it to Morgan Ensberg this spring, but he did sound perplexed.  The Yankees had not issued No. 21 to a player since O'Neill retired in 2001.

Posada: I believe Clemens  —  No catcher has caught Roger Clemens more than Jorge Posada - 155 games.  Posada today said he believes Clemens when he says he didn't use performance-enhancing drugs.  —  “I'm supportive,” Posasa said.  “He says he never took it and I'm behind him 100 percent.

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?