Andy Pettitte Signs Deal With Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — On a day when the Yankees showed concern over Derek Jeter's approaching 38th birthday and tightness in his calf, they brought back into the fold an even older Andy Pettitte, signing the veteran left-handed pitcher to a minor league contract.

NY Mets manager Terry Collins claims he never said Johan Santana would be his Opening Day starter  —  Claims it was only a hunch but now says lefty might not be ready  —  Terry Collins points out that John Santana was never his official candidate for Opening Day and righty then allows 4 runs over 2.2 innings.

Mets notes: Collins OK with 3-9-1 spring record  —  On the lowest rung of his pressing concerns, this does not even register.  —  Not even a blip.  —  For Terry Collins to worry about his team's spring training record - 3-9-1 over the team's first 13 games - would be ridiculous.

Matt Garza sees ‘special stuff’ in Cubs  —  Matt Garza, pitching Friday against the Giants, retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced.  Chris Carlson~AP  —  MESA, Ariz. — Don't believe the Cubs have much of a season waiting for them in less than three weeks?  Join the not-very-exclusive club.

ESPN NY: John Ricco explains Thursday's roster cuts  —  According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Assistant GM John Ricco said “any player on the 40-man roster who is still in major league camp on March 20 cannot be optioned to the minors if they are injured and unable to perform - regardless of when the injury actually occurred.”

ST. LOUIS  • All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran finalized a two-year deal with the Cardinals on Thursday evening, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to the Post-Dispatch.  —  The switch-hitting outfielder brings some desired depth to the Cardinals outfield while also restoring …

Arroyo channels Vedder at Woodjock fest  —  Pitcher, band perform four-song set of Pearl Jam classics  —  MESA, Ariz. — In the fine tradition of most musicians, Bronson Arroyo arrived stylishly late on Thursday night, 10 minutes before his scheduled 10 p.m. set.

Mauer Plays First for Twins in Win Over Red Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jon Lester worked on something he hopes he doesn't have to spend much time doing during the regular season: pitching out of jams.  —  Joe Mauer made his first spring training start at first base for a Minnesota Twins split squad …

Heyward hits grand slam to back Hanson  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Jason Heyward's first-inning grand slam off Wandy Rodriguez propelled the Braves to a 9-5 win over the Astros at Champion Stadium on Friday night.  —  Rodriguez retired the first two batters he faced before allowing five two-out hits in a five-run first inning.

Danks pitches four innings, drives in two runs  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Daniel Hudson turned in a solid outing for the D-backs as they beat the White Sox, 4-2, on Friday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields.  —  The D-backs took a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to Geoff Blum's two-out …

Loney goes deep, Lilly goes four scoreless  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — James Loney slugged a three-run homer and Ted Lilly tossed four scoreless innings as the Dodgers beat the Rangers on Friday, 5-2.  —  Loney followed a second-inning leadoff double by Andre Ethier and a walk to Juan Rivera …

Rizzo, Lalli club homers against Giants  —  MESA, Ariz. — Aubrey Huff hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a two-run fourth to spark the Giants to a 3-2 victory Friday over the Cubs in front of 13,245, the largest crowd this spring at HoHoKam Park.  —  Chicago's Matt Garza, making his third start, had his longest outing this spring.

Banuelos among first cuts  —  Its minor news on such a busy day, but the Yankees made their first round of cuts today.  —  LHP Manny Banuelos  —  RHP Dan Burawa  —  RHP Adam Miller  —  RHP Brett Marshall  —  RHP Ryan Pope  —  RHP Graham Stoneburner  —  RHP Chase Whitley  —  2B Corban Joseph