Pedro may pitch himself into extension with Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Pedro Martinez almost retired in a Mets uniform.  It could have happened last year, if Martinez, in the midst of a grueling rehabilitation from shoulder surgery, simply decided to call it quits rather than endure the pain with no guarantees.

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.

Aaron Heilman flunks in college try  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Aaron Heilman had better warm up his vocal chords.  —  The Notre Dame alum bet chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon that no former Irish baseball player would give up a run against the University of Michigan yesterday.

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 …

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.

Top 100 Prospects: No. 1-20  —  The Top 100 Prospects from 1-20.

Mill Creek's Travis Snider grows up fast in life and baseball  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Travis Snider, at age 20, is a baseball prodigy, no question.  —  A superstar-in-waiting with the Toronto Blue Jays.  The No. 11 prospect in all of baseball, according to the latest Baseball America rankings.

Cubs rotation will rely on veterans  —  Three or 4 starters and 2 openings leaves no way for a prospect to steal a rotation spot in '08  —  MESA, Ariz. - Heading into the Cactus League games last year, the Cubs were looking at either Mark Prior, Wade Miller or Neal Cotts for one available spot in the rotation.

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.

Notes: Braun progressing in left field  —  Former third baseman adjusting to fly balls, throws to infield  —  PHOENIX — Manager Ned Yost's eyes are fixed on Ryan Braun, penciled in as the Brewers' left fielder this season.  —  For Braun, left field will be new turf after he spent 2007 as the team's third baseman.

Rays' Kazmir to have MRI after feeling discomfort  —  Tampa Bay Rays ace Scott Kazmir left the team's intrasquad game Tuesday without throwing a pitch after feeling discomfort in his elbow, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark is reporting.  —  Kazmir told told the Rays he felt discomfort in his elbow …

Angels' Quinlan is facing an unsure spring  —  Utility player is hoping to secure one of the limited roster spots.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — The only thing Robb Quinlan is guaranteed of this season is the $1.05 million he will receive in the second year of the two-year, $1.85-million deal he signed before the 2007 season.

Notes: Hill dominates in batting practice  —  Righty throws well, but experiences right forearm soreness  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill threw his second batting practice on Tuesday, and he was dominating despite experiencing right forearm soreness, the same injury that bothered him last spring.

La Russa on McGwire, others in Mitchell Report  —  JUPITER, FLA. — When he is out here between the chalk lines, Tony La Russa seems to practically glide across the wide expanse of the Cardinals spring training complex, talking baseball with whoever wanders through the Roger Dean Stadium gates.