Lee suspended for first five games of 2010  —  Mariners lefty disciplined for throwing at D-backs' Snyder  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The imposing one-two punch at the top of the Mariners' starting rotation appears to be on hold for a while.  —  Cliff Lee's extracurricular activities in Tucson …

Cocaine, blackmail converge on Texas Rangers  —  Not that anyone would admit it publicly, but Rangers management could see this one coming.  For months, it watched a PR disaster building like a thunderstorm to the west.  —  Let's just say the ballclub had been warned.

Mejia has goods to rescue Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Talk to Jenrry Mejia and you learn that he's not scared of anything or anyone.  You quickly realize something more important.  The Mets young pitcher looks at baseball as a job.  Combine that with electric stuff and you have everything you need to get to the majors, at any age.

Ask Boswell: Nats Spring Training, Stephen Strasburg, Caps and more  —  The transcript follows.  —  Tallahassee: Boz: Please tell me that the signing of Grossman makes it more likely that the 'Skins will pick an offensive lineman in the first round.  Please?

Source: Rockies interested in reliever Beimel  —  TUCSON — The domino effect of injuries has led the Rockies to express interest in free- agent reliever Joe Beimel, according to a major-league source.  —  With Huston Street pegged to start the season on the disabled list …

Chamberlain Tightens Battle for Fifth Spot in Yankees' Rotation  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Joba Chamberlain could probably have pitched his way out of the rotation with a poor outing Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.  Instead, Chamberlain breezed through four innings …

(2 of 2)  —  Niese hasn't been overly disappointed in his results so far because the biggest thing for him is showing he is healthy.  —  Manuel liked what he saw from the 23-year-old in his second of two call-ups to the majors last season before a torn hamstring ended his season Aug. 5.

Quick Q&A: Matt Vasgersian of MLB Network talks ‘30 in 30’  —  It was only a matter of time until The Stew's Spring Swing collided with MLB Network's “30 in 30” spring training series and it was in Tempe on Wednesday that our paths collided.  Affter a morning spent interviewing Angels players …

Reds' big league camp down to 48  —  Alonso, Bray sent to Triple-A among other reassignments  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds now have 48 players in Major League camp.  —  Prior to Thursday's game against the Indians, the Reds optioned infielder Yonder Alonso and left-handed pitcher Bill Bray …

Interview with Mark Newman, Yankees Senior Vice President  —  More photos » Kathy Willens - AP  —  28 days ago: From left, fromt row, New York Yankees pitchers Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Andy Pettitte run wind sprints on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers …

Minor League Transactions  —  See also: Transactions Glossary. … Arizona Diamondbacks  —  Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cesar Valdez, SS Pedro Ciriaco  —  Optioned to Double-A: RHP Daniel Stange, LHP Leyson Septimo  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Stephen Marek …

Martinez, an Understudy, Is Playing Like a Star  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Mets put an entire story line on the team bus on Wednesday, sending all three contenders for the starting center-field job on the three-hour trip here to face the Boston Red Sox.  —  Call it a road show …