Cards cut ties with Spiezio  —  Arrest warrant issued in California over December incident  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Just hours after news circulated that a warrant has been issued in Orange County, Calif., for the arrest of Scott Spiezio, the Cardinals released the utility man.

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 …

Congress seeks DOJ probe of Clemens' testimony  —  WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens' denial of steroid use warrants further investigation, Congress said Wednesday in asking the Justice Department to determine whether the star pitcher lied under oath in testimony to a House committee.

Report: Mets GM nixed idea of hiring McNamee  —  Brian McNamee, the former strength trainer for Roger Clemens and a primary figure in Major League Baseball's doping scandal, was close to becoming a member of the Mets' coaching staff last season, according to the New York Post.

Los Angeles Dodgers  —  Stan Conte came in to improve the injury situation for the Dodgers.  The idea may be that Stan's a miracle worker, having held together much of the Giants' successful years with little more than athletic tape and hard work, but rebuilding what was once a proud, cutting-edge system takes longer than a year.

Sox meet the president  —  Members of the 2007 World Series champion Red Sox gathered on the White House lawn this afternoon and were honored by President George W. Bush (Check out photos).  —  Slugger David Ortiz, an odd sight in eyeglasses, carried the World Series trophy into the ceremony.

Alvarez Out Indefinitely With Broken Bone In Hand  —  Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez, a two-time first-team All-American and the No. 1 prospect for the 2008 draft, will miss a minimum of six weeks after breaking a bone in his hand in Vandy's season opener against Oregon State on Friday.

Sox talk with Garcia … FORT MYERS — Free agent starter Freddy Garcia, still looking for a job after shoulder surgery last August, visited the Red Sox [team stats] this morning.  —  The team said not to read much into the visit, but the Red Sox will no doubt do their due diligence …

Spring Hot Spot: Viera  —  Fiery Milledge reflects Nationals' untapped potential … VIERA, Fla. — On one side of the Nationals' clubhouse here at Space Coast Stadium — a clubhouse which, as clubhouses go, is way more Our Gang than Augusta National — young Lastings Milledge …

DeRosa Update  —  MESA, Ariz.- Mark DeRosa will undergo a surgical procedure on Thursday to stop the irregular heartbeat that's been affecting him on and off since his teen-age years.  —  Cubs physician Stephen Adams said DeRosa will have an EPS (electrophysiology study) …

Tickets on sale Friday  —  Individual tickets for regular season home games will go on sale Friday, Feb. 29, online only at www.yankees.com.  —  Beginning Monday, March 3, tickets may be purchased at Yankee Stadium advance ticket windows, at area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at …

Tickets onsale Friday  —  Individual tickets for Yankees regular season home  —  games go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, online only, at  —  www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com.  Tickets go  —  on sale Monday at Yankee Stadium ticket windows, area  —  Ticketmaster outlets, Yankees Clubhouse shops and via