Yankees' Gardner Is Small and Speedy, With Big Shoes to Fill  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Among the perks for a center fielder in the new Yankee Stadium will be his proximity to Monument Park, which is directly behind the fence.  —  During pitching changes, he will be able to glance over his shoulder to study the bronze plaques.

Pedroia injured at WBC  —  Dustin Pedroia suffered a strained left oblique muscle, though word is the strain was mild, according to a baseball source.  Pedroia is expected back in Fort Myers, Fla., tonight — he is coming from Miami, where he is with Team USA for the WBC — where Red Sox team doctors will examine the second baseman.

Shoulder Shuts Down Mets' Redding  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In 72 hours, Tim Redding has gone from fifth-starter candidate to long-relief favorite to not even making the Mets' opening day roster.  —  General Manager Omar Minaya announced Saturday morning that Redding had been shut …

Tampa Bay Rays searching for playing time for Willy Aybar  —  SARASOTA — Manager Joe Maddon was going on before Saturday's 3-1 win over the Reds about his determination to find playing time for backup INF Willy Aybar.  —  Then Aybar went out, on cue, and showed why, homering to right on a 3 …

Raissman: Kaat returns to booth but gets YES rejection  —  The MLB Network is looking to open the new Yankee Stadium in style, unleashing a formidable trio of voices who have never shared the same broadcast booth.  —  When the Bombers crack the regular-season seal on the new joint …

WBC: Puerto Rico thumps USA 11-1  —  MIAMI (AP) — Carlos Beltran and Felipe Lopez both hit home runs as Puerto Rico dealt the United States an embarrassing 11-1 loss that was stopped early because of the mercy rule in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

Gift Ngoepe could be South Africa's bequest to baseball  —  Remember the name even if you can't pronounce it  —  Gift Ngoepe.  —  Remember the name, even if you can't pronounce it.  —  Ngoepe (pronounced en-WEE-pay) has a chance to become a true baseball trailblazer — the first African to climb to the big leagues.

A's Duchscherer suffers setback in elbow rehab  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Oakland Athletics starter Justin Duchscherer will miss the start of the season because of a setback in his rehabilitation from an elbow injury.  —  Duchscherer had to stop playing long toss on Saturday morning because of persistent pain in his right elbow.

Bud Selig says he's concerned about the economy  —  Commissioner acknowledges he wonders how the downturn will affect baseball and says his office has advised teams to prepare.  —  Reporting from Mesa, Ariz. — With opening day approaching and the economic crisis deepening …

White Sox GM relishes mixing young, old  —  Ken Williams pushes for youngsters Gordon Beckham and Aaron Poreda  —  PHOENIX - When Ken Williams promised after the 2006 season he would start infusing youth into a team one year removed from a World Series championship, it was met with shock and scorn.