Zimmermann's outstanding spring continues  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann had his best outing of the spring Sunday, pitching five shutout innings, allowing three hits, striking out two and walking one.  —  For the first time this spring, all of Zimmermann's pitches …

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 …

Reds, Hanigan agree to extension  —  The Reds and catcher Ryan Hanigan have agreed to a three-year, $4 million extension.  —  Reds general manager Walt Jocketty would only say that the sides are close.  Jocketty generally will not confirm a deal until it's official.

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 …

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.

Rivera's Art, as Always, Is Strictly Minimalist  —  TAMPA, Fla. — In the sixth inning Sunday, Jason Kubel of the Minnesota Twins struck out looking at a 92-mile-per-hour two-seam fastball that started along the inside corner before curling over the plate.  It is practically unhittable …

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 …

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.

Baseball teams really are big families  —  Brian McCann's foul ball injured Luis Salazar, who's more than simply a coach on a club  —  I am close to my big brother.  He certainly taught me all the fundamentals of baseball, as we played Wiffle ball, stickball, Strat-O-Matic baseball …

Donald's injury raising questions at third  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jason Donald walked into the Indians' clubhouse at the player development complex on Sunday morning, his left hand wrapped and his name absent from both lineup cards hanging on the wall.  —  Donald was hit on the back of the hand …

Gomez hits two-run homer in Brewers' 7-5 win  —  PHOENIX—Carlos Gomez hit a two-run homer to highlight a four-run second inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 Sunday.  —  Gomez hit the first pitch he saw from Kyle Davies in the second for his second spring home run.

Same as it ever was  —  Today I watched Mariano Rivera's first real inning of work since the playoffs, and now I keep thinking about the Talking Heads.  The name of the song is Once In A Lifetime, and it ends with the same words repeated over and over again. … Rivera threw 12 pitches today.