Bradley ejected by home-plate umpire  —  Mariners outfielder appeared to protest call by dropping bat  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners suffered their second player ejection in the past two games Wednesday night when left fielder Milton Bradley was thrown out of the 8-1 loss to the Texas Rangers …

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?

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Zinicola's Toronto tenure comes to end  —  Rule 5 Draft pick headed back to Nats with Jays' 'pen full  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Zech Zinicola's locker was emptied out and his Blue Jays' equipment bag was stuffed with his belongings on Thursday morning.  The pitcher looked up and then removed …

The shortstops: Nomar, Jeter, A-Rod were long on talent  —  Not so long ago virtually any discussion of the best shortstops in baseball included Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra.  —  The late 1990s were arguably the golden era of American League shortstops …

Cleveland's failed pursuit of Tim Lincecum in 2005 didn't please MLB officials: Indians Insider … GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have faced two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum twice since coming to Arizona for spring training in 2009.  Each time it's happened, bloggers and chat room participants …

Rizzo, Dunn's agent talking extension  —  Since the Nationals said at January's season-ticketholder luncheon they wanted to extend first baseman Adam Dunn's contract extension, there hasn't been much progress to report toward a solution.  But general manager Mike Rizzo said on Wednesday he is still working on a deal.

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 …

Early reviews positive for Cubs' designated ‘goofball’  —  Kevin Millar has hit .333 with a 545 on-base percentage, and has melded well with his new teammates  —  MESA, Ariz. — In a radio interview near the end of the 1996 season, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf claimed his ballclub was too …