Center field up for grabs  —  JUPITER, Fla. — With Mike Morse penciled in as the starting left fielder, the Nationals believe that center field is up for grabs.  Nyjer Morgan is competing against Rick Ankiel and Roger Bernadina for the job.  —  Morgan hasn't been able to establish himself …

Johan Santana's season in jeopardy for the Mets  —  According to a source, Johan Santana has not been progressing in his return to light throwing and the team is concerned enough to halt this section of his rehabilitation.  By doing so, the Mets' timetable of a possible late-June …

Matsuzaka tries tweaking side schedule  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — With Daisuke Matsuzaka entering his fifth season with the Red Sox, there are still adjustments from his time in Japan, where he pitched in a six-man rotation.  —  Along those lines, Matsuzaka is trying a new between-starts routine.

Casey Blake's back still ‘pretty sore’  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake isn't expected to miss much time after leaving in the middle of the first inning of Saturday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants with what was thought to be lower-back tightness.

I'm rooting for him to have a terrific 2011, then wave goodbye  —  Mark Buehrle likes baseball, but it's not like oxygen to him.  He'll be just fine when his career is over.  —  The White Sox left-hander isn't bashful about discussing his life after baseball.

Sources: Chicago Cubs Carlos Silva being scouted by other teams  —  MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs right-hander Carlos Silva has been pitching for a rotation spot with the Northsiders, but his spring outings also appear to be an audition for other teams in need of starting pitching.

Second half of March cues faster play  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — And now for the part of Spring Training that prompts grown men to weep, general managers to wilt and even rookie hopefuls to fall to their knees seeking a form of baseball euthanasia.  By St. Patrick's Day …

Angels' Kevin Jepsen wants swagger of a closer  —  Angels relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen builds on suggestion from former Angels star closer Troy Percival.  —  Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen, left, listens to catcher Hank Conger during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 5.

Braun says he's fine  —  A familiar problem popped up Saturday for Brewers All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun, who exited the team's Spring Training game with a rib-cage strain.  —  Braun's right side banged into the outfield wall during batting practice and he felt some discomfort along his left side that …