Alderson: Too much focus on second base  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — In just a few days' time, the gaggle of candidates the Mets have at second base could be trimmed.  —  “That's a possibility, yeah,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday after a 4-3 loss to the Twins.

Burnett fine after being hit by foul ball  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Sean Burnett was scheduled to pitch two innings in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Astros, but he only pitched one after he was struck on the left knee by teammate Nyjer Morgan's foul ball in the first.

Red Sox set rotation behind Lester  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have set their rotation behind Jon Lester.  Here's how it will line up:  —  April 8: New York: Lackey  —  April 9 New York: Buchholz  —  April 10 New York: Beckett  —  and so on ...

Wednesday notes: Super again, Nova dazzles against O's  —  In the bullpen before tonight's game, Ivan Nova's curveball was erratic.  He'd throw one for a strike, then sail one out of the zone.  Without a good feel for his primary breaking ball, Nova started warming up a reworked slider that he hadn't been using this spring.

Marty Marion dies; shortstop was MVP with '44 Cards  —  Marty Marion, known as “Mr. Shortstop” to a generation of St. Louis Cardinals fans, died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday night, according to his nephew, Scott Marion.  —  Mr. Marion was 93 and lived in Ladue.

Griffey says he retired for betterment of Mariners  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Mariners on Wednesday for the first time since his retirement this past June 2.  He's back as a special consultant, and spoke about his decision to retire for the first time since then.

Royals rotation 1 short headed into season  —  SURPRISE, Ariz.—With three days off early next month, the Kansas City Royals plan to start the season with a four-man rotation and keep an extra position player for the first 13 games.  —  The Royals open the season March 31 against the Los Angeles Angels …

Barry Bonds' alleged abusive behavior towards Kimberly Bell documented in voice mails filed Wed.  —  Barry Bonds' abrasive personality is no secret.  Now prosecutors provide documents detailing abusive language in voice mails allegedly left by Bonds for former mistress Kimberly Bell (below).

Bradley Ejected, Brewers Beat M's 5-4  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Milton Bradley got ejected early, and Jeremy Reed singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Mariners 5-4 Wednesday night.  —  “He said one too many things, so that was a short night for him,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Doctors can't save Braves minor league manager's eye  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Surgeons could not save the left eye of Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar, who was hit in the face by a foul ball last week.  —  The former major league player had the eye removed during surgery Tuesday …

Lincecum chewing up hitters, food at hefty pace  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Conventional wisdom says results don't carry much weight in Spring Training, but Giants ace Tim Lincecum is proving this spring that they really do, not just during the game but afterward.

Rookie Trumbo is Angels' secret weapon  —  TEMPE, ARIZ.  —  First, I interview Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.  Then, I interview hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.  —  Both volunteer that rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo might redefine the baseball definition of “damage.”