Joba, Posada pace Yanks vs. USF  —  Catcher's double, triple back up starter's two scoreless innings  —  YANKEES 11, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA 4  —  South Florida at the plate: Leadoff man Mike Consolmagno notched the Bulls' first hit of the afternoon, shooting a line-drive single to center field starting the fourth inning.

Johan Santana roughed up in Met debut  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Johan Santana would have preferred to make a better first impression.  But his 13.50 Grapefruit League ERA is nothing the Shea faithful won't forgive with a 20-win season and meaningful games in late October.

Hank Steinbrenner opens mouth, bashes Red Sox  —  Hank Steinbrenner has provided his share of Boss-like comments in the offseason, his first as one of the principal leaders running the New York Yankees.  —  He's made verbal digs at former manager Joe Torre and inserted himself during …

Damon concedes CF is Cabrera's  —  Johnny Damon has conceded center field to Melky Cabrera, acknowledging several times already this year that he can best help the New York Yankees by playing left field.  —  “Melky deserves to play there,” Damon said earlier this week.  “He earned his spot.

3,000 career hits on radar for Ichiro  —  Mariners center fielder on pace to be youngest player to reach milestone  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, and maybe you're wondering which games are compelling enough to part with hard-earned cash in tough economic times.

Gagne struggles in loss to A's  —  Brewers take first Cactus League loss despite 12 hits  —  ATHLETICS 11, BREWERS 4  —  Brewers at the plate: Prince Fielder was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.  J.J. Hardy was 3-for-3 with base hits to center and left and an infield single.

Verlander to start Opening Day  —  Right-hander adds to accolades already accumulated  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Justin Verlander has always tried to soak in the Opening Day atmosphere around Comerica Park.  He'll be a little too busy for that this year.  —  While the crowd will be trying …

Maybin leaves with tight hamstring  —  Marlins being extra cautious with potential future star  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins center-field prospect Cameron Maybin was removed from Friday's game against the Nationals in Viera, Fla., due to tightness in his left hamstring.

Kuroda's first day as a Dodgers pitcher is short but sweet  —  He faces a minimum number of batters in his designated two innings against the Braves.  The 33-year-old says he was nervous taking the mound, but managed to get three batters to ground out in the second inning.

Nationals take first spring loss  —  Non-roster invite Stanford pitches two scoreless innings  —  MARLINS 4, NATIONALS 1  —  Marlins at the plate: In the first inning, Alejandro De Aza took a 2-0 pitch over the right-field wall to give Florida a 1-0 lead.  Four innings later, De Aza drove in another run with a single to center.