Mets' Santana faces major league competition … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Thirteen still photographers lined up behind home plate as Johan Santana's familiar anthem “Smooth”, by the artist Carlos Santana, blared over the speakers at Digital Domain Park.  Then, after taking the requisite warm-up pitches …

Papi launches first spring homer in Sox's victory  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Clay Buchholz tossed two scoreless innings and David Ortiz homered to lead the Red Sox to a 10-2 win over the Twins on Monday night at Hammond Stadium.  —  Buchholz wasn't perfect — he walked two and hit a batter …

Crawford upbeat despite setback on wrist  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Instead of dwelling on the fact he's now highly unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, left fielder Carl Crawford is choosing to keep a positive outlook on his recovery from left wrist surgery.  —  “I'm not disappointed at all,” Crawford said.

Brad, Chris Snyder homer in Astros' win  —  Wandy pitches three scoreless innings in first start  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Outfielder Brad Snyder hit a two-run homer and catcher Chris Snyder belted a solo homer to lead the Astros to a 4-1 victory over the split-squad Mets on Tuesday afternoon at windswept Osceola County Stadium.

Casey: Closer's song remains the same  —  On March 13, the latest Dropkick Murphys album comes out: “Going Out In Style: Fenway Park Bonus Edition.”  —  But bassist and lead singer Ken Casey has something else on his mind.  He's traveling to Clearwater, Fla., to meet with his pal …

Carlos Guillen Retires  —  Infielder Carlos Guillen announced his retirement today, according to the Mariners on Twitter.  He'd returned to his old team this offseason on a minor league deal.  —  Guillen, 36, has spent an increasing amount of time on the disabled list in the last four seasons.

Hamels negotiations starting to heat up  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Negotiations between the Phillies and pitcher Cole Hamels are heating up.  —  John Boggs, Hamels' San Diego-based representative, is spending the week in the Clearwater area.  He has already spoken to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr …

Roundup: Agent Scott Boras Says New Owners Would Benefit Mets and Baseball  —  Scott Boras, considered baseball's most prominent player agent, strongly suggested Monday night that the sport and the Mets themselves would be better served if the team's current owners are replaced.

Snider follows the Zen of Green  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — During a difficult 2011 season that included two trips to the minors, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider took up reading about Zen.  —  It started with a book by former Blue Jay outfielder Shawn Green, The Way of Baseball …

Girardi Challenges Hughes to Step Up Work Ethic  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joe Girardi rarely goes public with criticism of one of his players, so it was unusual Tuesday when the New York Yankees manager detailed his unhappiness with the physical condition of Phil Hughes last year.

Glare on Mets GM about to intensify  —  Mets on Twitter  —  PORT ST. LUCIE ­— The first blessing for Buck Showalter upon being named Yankees manager was what was in the rearview mirror.  —  Showalter was organized and savvy, but he was going to get those points simply by not being Stump Merrill.

Bryce Harper hits ‘Ichiro’ single, hustles, goes 2 for 2 against the Mets  —  When Bryce Harper dug into the batter's box Monday night in the sixth inning, he decided he would shelve his power for guile.  On the mound stood Danny Herrera, one of the funkiest pitchers in baseball.