Commish continues to review Mitchell Report cases; no deadline for action  —  Commissioner Bud Selig still is reviewing cases of players accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs in the Mitchell Report.  —  Selig initially hoped to complete his review by spring training.

Jon Heyman: Ranking the best GMs in the game  —  Also in the Daily Scoop...  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Who is the best general manager in baseball?  —  Normally that's a tough call, but not this year.  There's one fellow who stands out, only one GM whose team has won two World Series championships …

Pettitte discusses ‘embarrassment’  —  Yankees lefty expresses remorse for decision to use HGH  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Expressing relief but also embarrassment about his use of human growth hormone, Andy Pettitte made his Spring Training debut on Monday, apologizing for making decisions that he called “stupid” and “desperate.”

Mailbag: The underdog stops here  —  Reporter Noble answers Mets fans' latest questions  —  I grew up a Mets fan and enjoyed the years of being the underdog.  Part of the excitement of going against powerhouses like the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves was the feeling of good vs. evil; us, a bunch of stragglers, vs. them, the evil empire.

Nats sign Boone to Minor League deal  —  Second baseman comes out of retirement looking to start  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals signed second baseman Bret Boone to a non-guaranteed Minor League contract on Monday, and he will begin working out in the team's Accelerated Development Program for Minor Leaguers on Tuesday.

Texas Rangers, Ian Kinsler may agree on five-year deal Tuesday  —  Rangers, Kinsler close in on 5-year contract worth $20 million  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers' position players will officially report Tuesday.  One of them could have a little something extra waiting for him.

Juan Pierre tries to figure out his future  —  He's unsure about Dodgers' commitment to him after Andruw Jones is signed to be center fielder.  He strongly hints at his willingness to waive no-trade clause, but Ned Colletti calls him ‘a strong asset.’  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. …

McLain expects Hall to rebuff Clemens  —  Says Clemens' focus is on his Hall chances  —  Perhaps it takes one to know one: Two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain says he is certain Roger Clemens is not telling the truth.  —  McLain delivered a high hard …

Notes: Deal for Byrd not looking likely  —  Discussions with Cubs over possible trade at an impasse  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs have not given up hope of acquiring outfielder Marlon Byrd but the Rangers aren't giving them much hope that a deal can be done.

Yankees offer top stadium deal for $20M  —  Fear of recession grows daily across America, but don't tell the New York Yankees.  One proposal out there for the top sponsorship at the new Yankee Stadium is listed for about $20 million annually.  —  CAA is selling the package and using …

HAL: STEROIDS WEREN'T DISCUSSED  —  The possibility that an aging Roger Clemens was using steroids to remain successful was never discussed by the Yankees, Hal Steinbrenner says in an exclusive interview with GQ.com released today.  —  The younger Steinbrenner tells the magazine's Web site …

Will less Wagner be more effective for Mets?  —  The Billy Wags Rules?  —  Doesn't really have the same bite to it as “The Joba Rules.”  Sorry.  —  And the context is reversed from the other side of the state.  Over in Tampa, Brian Cashman and company impose the restrictions on Joba Chamberlain.

Schilling backs own doctor, says medical ‘egos’ in play  —  Curt Schilling, who said he held off on addressing his situation because he didn't want to be a distraction but became even more of a story this past week because of his silence, met with a few handpicked reporters in the parking lot …