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 …

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.

Nathan hit hard by Phillies but says elbow is fine  —  FORT MYERS, Fla.—Joe Nathan had his first poor outing as he recovers from elbow surgery, giving up six runs while getting one out in the Minnesota Twins split squad's 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Beckett struggles in 5th as Red Sox lose  —  BRADENTON, Fla.—Josh Beckett was happy with his outing — until the fifth inning.  —  Beckett failed to record an out in Pittsburgh's six-run fifth as the Boston Red Sox lost 9-4 to the Pirates on Sunday.  —  “It's a shame that a whole outing gets ruined …

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.

Former big leaguer, coach Page dead at 59  —  Mitchell Page, a former big league outfielder and hitting coach, passed away Saturday at the age of 59.  Page, who served as the Cardinals' hitting coach from 2001-04, died from unknown causes.  —  A California native, Page was a third-round draftee …

Ryan Hanigan re-signs with Reds  —  The Cincinnati Reds and backup catcher Ryan Hanigan have agreed to a three-year, $4 million deal with a chance to make $4.8 million.  —  Hanigan will get a $300,000 signing bonus with a $450,000 salary for this year.  He'll then make a base salary …

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 …

Quick notes from spring training  —  A few quick notes:  —  *The A's would like to add an inexpensive utility infielder as they await the return of Adam Rosales, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his right foot and likely will be out until May.  —  Chances are, though …