SPRING TRAINING: Story of Pavano: ‘Damned Yankee!’  —  I have finally stumbled upon the one person in the Yankees' clubhouse who has less reason to be there than I do.  —  He dresses like the other players, breathes the same air, takes up valuable locker space and twice a month cashes …

Gallardo to miss 4 weeks after knee surgery  —  Phoenix — Right-hander Yovani Gallardo indeed does have torn cartilage in his left knee and will return to Milwaukee tomorrow to have arthroscopic surgery.  —  Gallardo is expected to be sidelined four weeks, virtually guaranteeing he will open the season on the disabled list.

It could be Rodriguez's last season with Angels  —  Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez is all smiles as he stretches before a spring training workout Sunday in Tempe, Ariz.  —  Closer and team will square off in arbitration Thursday, but it appears he could be headed for free agency after the season.

Nixon in D-backs' camp to audition for roster spot … TUCSON, Ariz. — Veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, still hoping to latch on with a big-league club as a free agent, auditioned for the Arizona Diamondbacks at the team's spring training complex in Tucson on Sunday.

Snider finding solace on diamond  —  Jays prospect appreciating life after series of personal losses  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — It's the little things that Travis Snider cherishes most.  They're moments that didn't seem significant at the time, but are now memories that carry more weight in the wake of overwhelming loss.

Johnson Swings, Lopez Smiles, Zimmerman Arrives  —  Oh, and on top of all that, pitchers and catchers had their first official workout of the spring.  —  Busy day in Viera.  Nick Johnson delighted onlookers, including the manager and GM, with a solid batting-practice session …

Hampton puts work before play  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Mike Hampton had no difficulty throwing batting practice Sunday morning for the second time in three days.  But the pitcher's afternoon wasn't spent as he would've preferred.  —  Hampton has been in friend Jimmie Johnson's pit area …

Vizquel arrives, not ready to slow down  —  Shortstop to focus on ‘doing the little things’ at the plate  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Although Omar Vizquel made a farewell tour of the Venezuelan Winter League during the offseason, his goodbye to the Major Leagues may wait for another year.

Jeremy Brown and Moneyball  —  More than a year ago, an A's official sent me an email asking me, half jokingly, to stop mentioning Moneyball.  It was an understandable request.  Baseball changes quickly, and the lessons from Moneyball, or maybe more accurately, the lessons that the readers often perceive …

Johnson's brief performance impresses Melvin  —  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Randy Johnson called it an audition.  He nailed it.  —  The 44-year-old left-hander, who six months ago underwent his second back surgery in less than a year, threw off the mound Sunday.

Sunday happenings at Tradition Field  —  The day after the Mets' set an unofficial record by attracting 800 fans to the first workout on Saturday, the tidal wave slowed to more like a trickle this morning.  Maybe the Daytona 500 had something to do with it.