Kazmir checks out … Scott Kazmir walks off with head trainer Ron Porterfield, who conducted strength tests that encouraged the pitcher.  —  Times]  —  ST. PETERSBURG - The news on Rays ace Scott Kazmir's left elbow appeared relatively good Tuesday night - no serious injury …

SWEATIN' IN THE SUNSHINE STATE  —  CAUTIOUS OMAR PASSED ON MCNAMEE  —  Had Omar Minaya simply accepted the endorsement of his manager and hitting coach before last season, the Mets would right now probably be at the heart of the ongoing steroid firestorm involving Brian McNamee.

Yanks Aim for Giambi to Return to First  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The winter meetings will be in Las Vegas in December.  That is where Jason Giambi lives.  So what are the chances Giambi hits the town with a general manager and winds up with a rich new contract?  —  Giambi, still a proud night crawler …

Bunt attempt by Wolverines irks Mets' Wagner  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Forget the Phillies.  Billy Wagner nearly started a beanball war with the University of Michigan after one overzealous Wolverine tried to bunt on him in the fourth inning.  With a runner on second and one out, centerfielder Kevin Cislo pushed his bunt foul.

Notes: La Russa to bat pitcher eighth  —  Skipper wants speed and on-base skills at the bottom of lineup  —  JUPITER, Fla. — A discussion of leadoff possibilities for the 2008 Cardinals unearthed all sorts of interesting nuggets on Tuesday, but none more revealing than this …

Sox to visit White House today  —  Members of last year's Red Sox team will fly to Washington, D.C., today to meet with President George W. Bush at the White House, an honor that comes with winning the 2007 World Series.  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona and players, coaches …

New Twist Keeps Dickey's Career Afloat  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — By all rights, R. A. Dickey should be working a day job somewhere, cursing twisted fate.  Or he should be coaching at some Tennessee high school, telling kids what he once was and lamenting what might have been.

Republicans block HGH bill  —  The partisan split that erupted during the Feb. 13 House committee hearing on the Mitchell Report has apparently spread to the Senate, where two unknown Republican senators have thrown up a roadblock to a bill to crack down on human growth hormone.

Texas Rangers closer in jam over blog entry  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The exhibition season hasn't yet started, and already Texas Rangers closer C.J. Wilson has found himself in a jam.  —  In his own clubhouse.  —  Wilson recently made comments about his teammates' lack …

Alfonso Soriano tries to overcome fear of Wrigley's brick walls  —  MESA, Ariz. - Alfonso Soriano grew more comfortable in Chicago with every passing day last season, and in September he enjoyed his best month as a Cub.  —  Whether he can translate that success to 2008 and put up the kind …

Dice-K adds to arsenal  —  Year 2 includes two-seam fastball … FORT MYERS - What do you get for a pitcher who has seemingly every pitch?  —  Another one.  —  While Japanese teammate Hideki Okajima [stats] has professed to be working on a new secret offering called the “Doki Doki,” …

Yankees' Mussina advises kids Hughes, Kennedy  —  Yankee pitcher Mike Mussina, right, shares his wisdom with teammate Ian Kennedy during spring training Monday in Tampa.  (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan)  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Mike Mussina requested that Ian Kennedy be given a locker next to his this spring training.

Notes: Hermida preaches team effort  —  Best chance to replace Cabrera's production lies in balance  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Jeremy Hermida understands the Marlins' need to find strength in numbers.  —  The front-runner to bat third in the order, the 24-year-old right fielder says the best …