Zumaya pleased by progress  —  Tigers reliever ahead of schedule after October surgery  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Joel Zumaya came to camp on Tuesday expecting another day in the weight room.  He ended up throwing a baseball for the first time in almost five months.

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.

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.

Nats play to tie with Marlins in opener  —  Milledge scores two runs in start of Graprefruit League slate  —  MARLINS 3, NATIONALS 3  —  Marlins at the plate: Mike Jacobs blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning off Rob Bell.  Alfredo Amezaga, who singled to open the inning, also scored on the shot to right field.

Softballs for Pettitte; Beanballs for Clemens  —  When are journalists (and baseball) going to ask Andy tougher questions?  —  Andy Pettitte's February 18 press conference was an afternoon of softball questions from a friendly home-crowd press.  Sample: “If you had to do it all over again …

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.

Tigers' bullpen stellar in opener  —  Grilli, Miner toss two shutout innings each in comeback win  —  TIGERS 4, METS 2  —  Mets at the plate: Back-to-back singles and a walk in the opening inning set up Ramon Castro's sacrifice fly to score Angel Pagan.  Anderson Machado tripled in Michael Abreu an inning later.

Kazmir: I'll be ready by Opening Day  —  Scott Kazmir said today that he “definitely” plans to make his expected start Opening Day at Baltimore despite the strained left elbow he suffered yesterday.  —  “That's what we're shooting for,” he said.  —  Asked if the medical staff had discouraged …

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.

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) …

Coaches don helmets, but some unhappy with rule  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Glenn Hubbard trotted on the field Wednesday wearing a helmet — and feeling downright ridiculous.  —  “You know what it feels like?” he asked before a spring training game.  “Look at that kid over there.”

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 …

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.