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.

Cano's clout enough help for Kuroda  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Robinson Cano crushed a long three-run homer that cleared the right-field picnic pavilion as the Yankees defeated the Astros, 6-3, on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.  —  Cano's tape-measure drive, his first Grapefruit League homer …

Royals make Pudge Rodriguez an offer he has yet to accept  —  SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. — The Royals are interested in bringing longtime catching star Ivan Rodriguez into camp in the wake of the injury to starting catcher Salvador Perez, but Rodriguez is thinking about the opportunity …

Vin Scully scales back his Dodgers broadcasts a bit further  —  Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully acknowledges the opening-day crowd at Dodger Stadium.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / April 13, 2009)  —  Reporting from Phoenix—  Dodgers' broadcaster Vin Scully plans to scale …

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.

Maddon's new catchphrase: MoRmentum  —  Rays manager Joe Maddon unveiled this morning what sounds like his catchphrase for the season, playing off the idea of getting as much mometum as possible.  —  Thus:  —  MoRmentum  —  Here is what it looks like sketched out, though Maddon …

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.”

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.