Tensions flare between Cards, Nationals  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • The Cardinals and Washington Nationals picked at an old scab Monday afternoon.  When it was done, one pitcher was ejected, another admitted intentionally drilling a batter and a third had returned to the home dugout to challenge an opposing coach.

Kawakami tries to shake off trade talk  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Kenshin Kawakami is still attempting to ignore the fact the Braves are looking to trade him.  Instead, the Japanese right-hander has remained focused on preparing for the upcoming season without having any idea where he might be pitching.

John Thorn Interview: On Stats and Finding Baseball's Earliest Stories  —  It's been quite a month for baseball writer John Thorn: He's been named Major League Baseball's official historian, been appointed chairman of a special MLB committee that will investigate the origins of the game …

Chipper Chimes In On JFK Assassination: “Somebody High-Ranking In U.S. Gov't”  —  As the spring training days while away, conversations around the batting cage tend to wander away from the game.  —  Just recently, Atlanta Braves' star third baseman Chipper Jones took up a topic he's mulled seriously …

Mets notes: Izzy on hold  —  Jason Isringhausen has impressed the Mets enough this spring to earn a spot in the bullpen, with the one caveat for the 38-year-old reliever - he has to prove he's healthy.  —  That took a blow Monday when the Mets revealed Isringhausen was shut down for a day and received …

Brewers on lookout for pitching help  —  PHOENIX — The Brewers are still leaning toward filling their fifth-starter void from within, but club officials are also keeping an eye on the waiver wire and trade market — and on right-hander Shaun Marcum's stiff shoulder — in case outside assistance becomes necessary.

Barry Bonds jury: lukewarm on baseball and BALCO  —  For all the worry about hype on the Internet, lawyers in the perjury trial of home run king Barry Bonds selected a jury Monday that is ambivalent about the former Giants superstar and relatively oblivious to the BALCO steroids scandal.

Report: Upton says he cops racial abuse  —  NewsCore  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA.  —  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder B.J. Upton has revealed it is not unusual for him to receive racial abuse from the stands, MLB.com reported Monday.  —  Rays manager Joe Maddon had a fan removed …

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez expects right fielder Mike Stanton to play in big league game Thursday  —  Edwin Rodriguez believes right fielder Mike Stanton should be ready to return to a big league game on Thursday.  —  Stanton is DHing in a minor league game today and the plan …

Alonso, Cozart among eight players cut  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The deepest cuts of spring came through the Reds' clubhouse on Monday as eight players were told that they did not make the team.  —  None of the transactions were stunners, but several familiar names were on the list.

Mets release Oliver Perez  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Three days after the New York Mets informed second baseman Luis Castillo he was being released, left-hander Oliver Perez received the same fate Monday morning.  —  Team officials informed Perez he was being let go despite being owed $12 million in the final year of his deal.

Pirates release Atkins; Olsen could start year on DL  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates this morning granted an unconditional release to infielder Garrett Atkins, signed by the club as a minor league free agent in the offseason.  —  Atkins hit .129 (4 for 31) this spring with 11 strikeouts in 17 games.