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.

Reliever Kimball continues to impress  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Right-hander Cole Kimball continues to show that he is deserving of a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster.  He made his sixth relief appearance of the spring Wednesday, pitching two shutout innings in an 8-7 loss to the Astros.

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.

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 ...

GQ: Philly has Worst Fans in America  —  According to GQ Magazine, Philadelphia has the worst fans in America, writing: … How much do you want to bet they figure out some way to make this New York's fault?  Because, like with everything Philadelphia, they can't help but drag New York in to it.

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.

Former NL MVP Marty Marion dies at 93  —  ST. LOUIS — Marty Marion, the brilliant shortstop and 1944 National League MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals and a former manager of the Cardinals and St. Louis Browns, has died.  He was 93.  —  Marion, who played on World Series title teams in 1942 …

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.

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.