RYAN BRAUN EXITS GAME WITH INTERCOSTAL INJURY  —  Ryan Braun left Saturday's game after half an inning due to strained intercostal muscles on his left side.  —  Not good.  The intercostals are the small muscles between the ribs and have been a problem area for Braun in the past.

Adrian wastes little time in first Red Sox action  —  With shoulder game-ready, surprise starter singles on first pitch  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — There were no backfield tuneups or “B” games for Adrian Gonzalez.  Once his surgically repaired right shoulder had healed enough for a game situation …

Nationals trim roster to 42  —  The Washington Nationals today optioned left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and outfielder Bryce Harper to Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League and reassigned right-handed pitchers Ryan Mattheus and Tim Wood to minor league camp.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.”

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.