Piniella says Theriot will bat leadoff  —  Good news for the shortstop overshadowed by rookie Castro  —  Ryan Theriot beat out Kosuke Fukudome for the leadoff job.  (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / March 6, 2010)  —  TUCSON — Ryan Theriot has been the forgotten man this spring …

Lowell makes spring debut at first base  —  While future with Sox in limbo, veteran goes 1-for-2 vs. O's  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Mike Lowell's future with the Red Sox is very much in doubt, but for one afternoon at least, all of those issues were put aside.

Who has the best core talent?  Yanks, Phils and (surprise) Mets … Over a decade and a half, the constant in Yankee championships has been the home grown quartet of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera: The Core Four, as the papers (among others) have it.

Mark Teixeira proud of his defense at first base for New York Yankees  —  TAMPA - Mark Teixeira delivered plenty of highlights with his bat in his debut season with the Yankees, leading the AL in home runs (39), RBI (122) and total bases (344).  —  But when Teixeira thinks back to last year …

Dominant Lowe ready for the real thing  —  Braves sinkerballer eager for season after gem vs. Nats  —  VIERA, Fla. — This was not the same Derek Lowe who just five days earlier had labored through a forgettable first inning with the discomfort created by a blister on his right big toe.

Hamilton exits game after plunking  —  X-rays negative; Rangers slugger has bruised left hand  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, for the second time this Spring Training, is dealing with another painful bruise.  —  This one is on his left hand, just below his pinkie finger.

Carlson nursing sore left knee  —  Purcey emerges as candidate for Jays' bullpen  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — One look around the clubhouse and it is easy to see why Jesse Carlson is frustrated over his latest setback.  The Blue Jays brought in a wide mix of arms to compete for spots in the bullpen …

Reynolds, D-Backs agree to $14.5 million deal  —  Third baseman Mark Reynolds and the Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a three-year deal worth $14.5 million that includes an $11 million team option for 2013.  —  If the option is picked up, the deal would cover all three of Reynolds' arbitration-eligible seasons.

Jamie McCourt was interested in public office, estranged husband says  —  Frank McCourt files court documents that detail her plans to parlay her position with Dodgers, with ultimate goal of becoming president of U.S. She tells crowd she doesn't want public fight but won't waver.

Lidge vs. Pujols: I was in the wrong spot  —  What's my point?  —  Eckstein's hit in the “5-6″ hole was the difference in the game.  I was not positioned properly at third base.  —  Why does it matter?  —  If Eckstein get's on base, Lidge had to face the lefty Edmonds.

Mariners new ace Lee ejected for throwing at Snyder  —  TUCSON (AP) — Seattle Mariners ace Cliff Lee (FSY) was ejected from a spring training game Monday against Arizona for throwing at Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder (FSY).  —  With two outs in the bottom of the third inning …

NOTEBOOK: Penny takes a couple of shots  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Cardinals starting pitcher Brad Penny lasted 3 2/3 innings and 71 pitches in his team's 6-5 loss to the New York Mets.  —  Penny allowed two first-inning runs, but his worst damage came on two balls back to the mound that left …

David Ortiz takes stance  —  'I've got nothing to prove'  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  FORT MYERS - Imagine Allen Iverson [stats]'s “practice” rant, except sub in the words “spring training.”  —  Now you know how David Ortiz [stats] feels about his supposed slump this March.