Jonathan Papelbon pops off on Manny Ramirez  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  FORT MYERS - Jonathan Papelbon [stats] minced few words about the dark, final days of Manny Ramirez [stats]' tenure with the Red Sox [team stats] in an interview in the April issue of Esquire magazine.

Los Angeles Dodgers are curious about Pedro Martinez  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The New York Mets don't have any interest in bringing back Pedro Martinez.  But another one of Martinez's former employers, the Los Angeles Dodgers, could emerge as a candidate to rescue him from unemployment.

Perez out at least three months  —  Update 10:32 An obviously disappointed OF Fernando Perez, out at least three months with a dislocated left wrist, tried to take the setback in stride, but said he learned a valuable lesson in the process.  —  Perez said he knew instantly …

Zambrano gets Cubs Opening Day start; Marmol back  —  MESA, Ariz.- Manager Lou Piniella named Carlos Zambrano as his Opening Day starter on Thursday, giving Big Z his fifth straight opening assignment.  —  How did Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild decide on Zambrano over Ryan Dempster?

Rivera faces hitters, says he “feels great”  —  LAKELAND, Fla. - Mariano Rivera faced hitters for the first time yesterday since his October surgery on the AC joint of his right shoulder.  —  Rivera said, “Everything feels great,” and he is closing in on his first game action.

Phils weighing several bench options  —  Club may opt to keep three lefties or add righties to reserve mix  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel swears he hasn't started to think about how his bench might look Opening Day.  —  He said there is plenty of time for that.

Volstad leaves after taking line drive  —  Marlins right-hander doesn't expect to miss his next start  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins starter Chris Volstad was rolling along through this third Spring Training start against the Cardinals on Wednesday.  —  Then the fifth inning started.

Joba among 20 to sign one-year deals  —  Yanks reach agreement with all of their non-arbitration players  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Joba Chamberlain was among a group of 20 Yankees players who inked contracts for the 2009 season, signing a split deal that would pay him $432,575 if he spends the entire season in the Major Leagues.

Amezaga out four to six weeks  —  Tests on Marlins utility man reveal sprained left knee  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Of all the players on the Marlins, Alfredo Amezaga was probably the last guy the organization wanted to see suffer an injury.  —  “He's like three guys,” manager Fredi Gonzalez …

Who Said There Was More Leg Room At The New Yankee Stadium?  —  We recently posted photos illustrating the much-improved leg room for the seats in the Grandstand at the New Yankee Stadium.  Unfortunately the same cannot be said about these multi-year commitment, $500 per ticket seats down the first base line:

Mark McGwire Surfaces and Talks About Helping Hitters  —  The voice on the other end of line, as enthused as a rookie's after the first day of spring training, belonged to Mark McGwire.  He was calling from California on Thursday to talk about his rebirth as a hitting instructor.

Mets like Pudge, but don't have room  —  Assistant GM Bernazard says Rodriguez blocked by two other catchers  —  The Mets have interest in free agent Ivan Rodriguez but don't have a place for him because they have two other catchers, Mets assistant general manager Tony Bernazard told a Puerto Rican newspaper.