Elijah Dukes released (updated)  —  The Nationals this morning granted outfielder Elijah Dukes, a player brimming with potential yet haunted by a controversial past he had seemingly moved beyond, his unconditional release.  —  “Everyone in Elijah's camp is surprised,” said Dukes's attorney, Grady Irvin.

Bradley cloud may have a Silva lining  —  MESA, Ariz. — Maybe if the Seattle Mariners could have done a little more for Carlos Silva's mom the last two years, they would have gotten more for their money.  —  Instead, that Silva-for-Milton Bradley deal might start looking even better …

Source: Full prognosis still not known … PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Boston Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland underwent brain surgery Tuesday and the initial reports are that it “went well,” according to a source in the organization.  —  A complete prognosis will not be known for a few days …

How St. Patrick's became baseball's holiday  —  Cincy GM Dick Wagner turned the Reds green in '78  —  Throughout Florida and Arizona, baseball goes green today, and it has nothing to do with recycling or carbon footprints.  Green caps, green bases, maybe an occasional green bat donut — and sure and begorrah to all.

Crew allowing time for rotation decisions  —  Club shuffles spring starts among pitching candidates  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Brewers are making arrangements to give themselves as much time as possible to render decisions about the back end of their starting rotation.

Lowrie has mono  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Time for everyone to keep their cups to themselves.  That mystery illness that has afflicted Jed Lowrie?  That would be mononucleosis.  —  “He can play as tolerated,” Terry Francona said.  “There's a reason he was feeling rundown last week.

Francoeur armed with unique skill  —  Outfielder racking up assists while scaring off baserunners  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A baseball bounces through the right side of the Mets' infield, the runner on second base begins his sprint and a routine exhibition game no longer is so inconsequential.

Cardinals are deep enough, DeWitt says  —  February 26, 2010 — Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. (left) talks with general manager John Mozeliak during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr …

Persistent Carrasco earning his Buc  —  Once acquired for dollar, Pirates reliever in big league plans  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — It was one of the odder requests that general manager Neal Huntington had ever received while conducting negotiations with a player.

New York Yankees keep eye on Minnesota's contract talks with catcher Joe Mauer  —  TAMPA - Like everyone else in baseball, the Yankee high command is watching with keen interest how the Joe Mauer negotiations with the Minnesota Twins play out this spring.  —  Unlike most other teams …

New York Mets' Kiko Calero positions himself to be Francisco Rodriguez's setup man  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Back before the 2003 season, Kiko Calero was thinking his chance with the Cardinals might be his last in baseball.  He had pitched well in the Royals' system, but it had taken …

After big day, prospect Brown sent down  —  Talented outfielder relishes time in Major League camp  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Cole Hamels still remembers the March afternoon in 2004 when he struck out Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Tony Clark in the same inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

In Bid for Rotation Spot, Hughes Earns a Save  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Phil Hughes strode into the clubhouse after the last out of Tuesday's victory over Houston, smiled and said, “That's a hold for Mo.”  —  And so it was.  In the exhibition season, Hughes can audition for a job in the rotation and yet still pitch after Mariano Rivera.

Rivera making his debut tonight  —  Mariano Rivera will make his first spring training appearance tonight.  On the list in the Yankees clubhouse, Rivera's named was second — ahead of Phil Hughes — so it might be Rivera who pitches immediately after starter A.J. Burnett.