Luis Castillo was the Mets' best option at second base  —  The decision to release Luis Castillo on Friday was the most difficult one of Sandy Alderson's budding regime - where sabermetrics proved to be no match for the army of haters who demanded Castillo's demise.

Ankiel frontrunner for Nats' center-field job  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals announced recently that center field is up for grabs.  But if the season were to start Friday, Rick Ankiel would be the Opening Day center fielder.  —  The competition in center field is between Ankiel, Roger Bernadina and Nyjer Morgan.

My Mother's Basement  —  “It won't be long before we get the first wave of nonsense from stat-crazed dunces claiming there's nothing to be learned from a batting average, won-loss record or RBI total.  Listen, just go back to bed, OK?  Strip down to those fourth-day undies, head downstairs …

Rebuilding Ryan  —  A year after the Red Sox top prospect found himself suddenly unable to see and confined to a wheelchair, he has survived dangerous brain surgery, undergone extensive rehabilitation, and returned to the minor leagues to try to relearn everything.

Giants can't hold this phenom back  —  SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.  —  There was a time, not long ago, when Giants manager Bruce Bochy would turn in his chair in his Scottsdale Stadium office and look at the wall behind him.  And look.  And look.  —  On the wall is a list of prospective Giants for the coming season.

Ichiro donates more than $1.2 million to Japanese quake victims  —  Word got out today that Ichiro, who has yet to comment on last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami in his native Japan, has donated 100 million yen to Red Cross relief efforts.  —  The yen has fluctuated wildly since …

Five minor league players suspended  —  The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that five Minor League players have received 50-game suspensions after each tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program:

New York Mets' Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon, Saul Katz facing $1 billion lawsuit from Irving Picard, trustee for Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme  —  The trustee looking to recover funds from victims of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme officially wants more than $1 billion from New York Mets owners.

Los Angeles Angels reliever Scot Shields announces retirement  —  One of baseball's best middle relievers of the last decade announced his retirement Friday.  —  Scot Shields, who pitched all 10 of his major league seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, was pitching on an aching left knee …

Final: Tigers 8, Red Sox 3  —  Game over: Tigers 8, Red Sox 3  —  Sloppy, poorly pitched game for the Sox, who also left seven runners on base.  Now off to Port Charlotte.  —  Another reason spring stats are screwy: Sox have two games today, the Tigers and Rays had one.  —  Middle of the 9th: Tigers 8, Red Sox 3

Scouts still dubious of Montero's defense  —  TAMPA — There was a time in 2007, and even for a good deal of 2008, when the Yankees pretty much could have acquired just about anyone for Joba Chamberlain.  —  Personnel men were that gaga about his stuff, his mix of pitches and his ability to retain command and velocity deep into games.

Phillies Notebook: Polanco, Lidge improving; Utley sees specialist  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - First, we'll give you the good news, at least as it is viewed from the Phillies' perspective.  Placido Polanco, who left Tuesday's game against Toronto with a hyperextended elbow, is set …