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 …

Pudge returns as starting catcher for now  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After missing a handful of games because of calf problems, Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez was back in the lineup against the Mets on Saturday.  —  Rodriguez is going to miss at least two games next week because of personal reasons.

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.

Spring training 2011: Ozzie Guillen: Jake Peavy on track to start season with White Sox  —  PHOENIX — Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen sees no reason why Jake Peavy wouldn't be able to start the season on the 25-man roster.  —  There was a question as to whether or not Peavy …

Hart's comeback attempt hits roadblock  —  Rehabbing after shoulder surgery, righty to start '11 on 60-day DL  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Kevin Hart was well aware of the odds.  But that didn't stop him, until recently, from expecting to be the exception.  —  Hart, who underwent right shoulder surgery …

Tight biceps sends Cueto to early exit  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto was again forced to exit a start early because of stiffness in his right biceps muscle.  —  Cueto was slated to work three to four innings and throw 50-60 pitches vs. the Rockies on Saturday, but lasted just one inning.