Adrian makes Red Sox debut vs. Marlins  —  New Boston slugger singles off Johnson on first pitch he sees  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Adrian Gonzalez, the star slugger acquired from the Padres back in December, made his debut for the Red Sox on Saturday, batting third and playing first base …

Nix not concerned about leaving Nationals  —  VIERA, Fla. — It was reported on Thursday that the Astros are in a need of a left-handed bat off the bench and are eyeing Nationals outfielder Laynce Nix, who signed a Minor League deal with Washington last month.  —  Nix is considered to be one of the best bench players in baseball.

Cliff Lee Made One Thing Clear This Offseason: Winning is the Most Important Thing  —  This past offseason, Cliff Lee was the number one free agent on the market and many people around baseball felt like Lee was headed to the Big Apple.  However, Cliff Lee threw one of his devastating curveballs …

Podsednik debuts, shows speed on bases  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Blue Jays outfielder Scott Podsednik made his long-awaited Grapefruit League debut on Friday afternoon in a game against the Yankees.  —  The 34-year-old had missed the club's first 12 games because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

After Tsunami, Igawa Leaves Yankees' Camp  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The effects of the devastation in Japan were felt in Yankees camp Friday morning, when the minor league left-hander Kei Igawa left the team's complex so he could try to locate his family.  —  Igawa is from Oarai, Ibaraki prefecture …

Ivan Nova is certain he can win a spot in New York Yankees starting rotation for 2011 season  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Of the three front-runners in the Yankees' rotation competition, one is a former Cy Young winner, another a two-time All-Star.  —  The third?  He's a 24-year-old …

Little Big Man  —  Tim Lincecum, the diminutive power pitcher known variously as Seabiscuit, Tiny Tim and, most memorably, the Freak, slid behind the wheel of his silver Mercedes-Benz on a recent afternoon, sipping a Red Bull.  His hair, which he hadn't cut since leading the San Francisco Giants …

Isringhausen hurting to help Mets in return  —  Veteran reliever's high threshold for pain a true asset  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The career of Jason Isringhausen could have gone significantly smoother to this point.  He's stubbed his toe a few times — and his tongue once or twice.

Late in career, Wakefield playing role of old standby  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tim Wakefield pitched before the days of the designated hitter and color television.  He was in the bullpen when Ted Williams hit his 521st homer.  He played opposite Morgan Freeman in “The Bucket List.”

Aaron Cook out with broken finger, hopes it's 2-week setback  —  Aaron Cook.  (John Leyba, The Denver Post)  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Just when Aaron Cook thought possibly his last spring with the Rockies couldn't get any worse, it did.  Already out until early April with inflammation …

Saito leaves Brewers camp after Japan quake  —  PHOENIX, Ariz. — The massive earthquake that struck Japan on Friday devastated the hometown of Brewers reliever Takashi Saito, who left Spring Training camp to attempt to contact loved ones.  —  Saito has been in contact with his wife, Yukiko …