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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.