Zimmerman takes step toward return to games  —  VIERA, Fla. — Ryan Zimmerman, who missed the last six games because of a left groin strain, participated in baseball activities Sunday.  —  However, manager Jim Riggleman doesn't know when Zimmerman will play in a Spring Training game.

Perez's Time as a Met Seems Short  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets may have finally reached their breaking point with the embattled left-hander Oliver Perez.  A day after releasing second baseman Luis Castillo, the Mets watched in resignation Saturday as Perez struggled again.

Nolan Ryan: Neftali Feliz looked “starterish”  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers maintain no decision has been made on how to proceed with RHP Neftali Feliz, who will either be the team's closer or move into the rotation.  —  On Saturday, however, after watching Feliz handle himself …

The latest on the payroll situation, Luis Castillo and more  —  Good morning from another glorious Sunday morning in Clearwater, Florida.  The sun is shining, the sky is cloudless, and the line for tickets to this afternoon's Yankees-Phillies tilt looks a lot like the line at job fairs these days.

Garza, Looper labor as Cubs fall to Friars  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Aaron Harang tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings Saturday and Chase Headley added a grand slam as the Padres defeated the Cubs, 14-4, at the Peoria Sports Complex.  —  Harang allowed two hits in pitching into the sixth inning for the first time this spring.

TAKING A SABER TO SABERMETRICS  —  This was going to be a column about a new baseball book, but a couple of matters intruded and have to be dealt with first, both having to do with the book, “The Beauty of Short Hops” by Sheldon and Alan Hirsch.  It is subtitled “How Chance and Circumstance Confound the Moneyball Approach to Baseball.”

A-Rod could be primed for a big year  —  Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was the American League MVP in 2003, '05 and '07.  Don't be surprised if he emerges as a leading competitor for the award in '11.  —  “I can't say enough about his swing, his body, the shape he's in,” Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long said.

Texas Tech hires Billy Gillispie  —  Billy Gillispie confirmed he has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next coach at Texas Tech in a text message to ESPN.com's Andy Katz.  —  The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal first reported Gillispie's hiring Sunday, which comes four days after the former Kentucky …

Orioles' Lee has MRI on left foot  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee was not in Sunday's starting lineup and wasn't likely to play at all in the O's contest in Port Charlotte, Fla., after fouling a ball off his left foot Saturday afternoon.