Mets' Pelfrey pitching with sprained ankle  —  Mets on Twitter  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Just one more reason it's been a spring training to forget for Mike Pelfrey: He has battled a high ankle sprain for most of camp.  —  The beleaguered Mets right-hander is refusing to use it as an excuse …

2012 Organization Talent Rankings  —  Baseball America's annual organization talent rankings evaluate the overall value of each system's prospect-eligible players (no more than 130 at-bats, 50 innings or 30 relief appearances in the major leagues, without regard to service time).

Visa Approved For Yankees' Jose Rafael DePaula  —  A premium prospect who has been involved in one of the longest, most fascinating sagas in the Dominican Republic has taken a major step toward beginning his professional career.  —  Righthander Jose Rafael DePaula, who agreed to sign …

Weaver off against KC, but bats pick up ace  —  Morales has two hits in return; Aybar, Kendrick pace offense  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Kendrys Morales had two hits in his first Major League game since May 2010, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick stayed hot at the top of the order …

Nats pessimistic Morse will start season  —  Michael Morse has appeared in only three games this spring, all as DH.  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Michael Morse's chances of recovering from a lat injury in time for Opening Day appear to be dwindling after the Nationals left fielder recently underwent …

Dodgers partake in Ping-Pong to unwind  —  Much as on the mound, Kershaw dominates on the table  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — In the middle of the Dodgers' clubhouse at Camelback Ranch-Glendale is a Ping-Pong table.  —  Since a Ping-Pong table helped thaw Cold War relations with China 40 years ago …

Jeff Moorad steps down, Tom Garfinkel to become new Padres CEO  —  OMG.  —  In what looks a lot like a strange switcheroo, Jeff Moorad is going to step down as CEO and become Vice Chairman of the Padres while Tom Garfinkel will move from Padres President to Padres CEO.

What Should the Yankees Do With Michael Pineda?  —  There probably hasn't been a bigger story in any camp this spring than Michael Pineda's missing velocity.  After throwing 94-97 in Seattle last year, he's been 89-93 so far this spring, though he did pump a few 94 MPH fastballs in his most recent start on Tuesday.

Statistics don't paint defensive picture for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets took the field earlier this week with their Opening Day lineup mostly intact for the first time this spring: A converted first baseman was starting in right field.  Another natural first baseman was at second base, with yet another at catcher.

SI predicts the Mets will finish last in the NL East  —  In this week's Sports Illustrated, the Mets are projected to finish last in the NL East with 75 wins.  —  Matthew Cerrone: Wow!  I don't know, I just don't see the NL East this way.  I'm not suggesting the Mets are the favorites …

Cards' Garcia strikes out nine in dominant outing  —  JUPITER, Fla.—St. Louis manager Mike Matheny liked what he saw from Jaime Garcia on Thursday.  —  Garcia struck out nine in five innings and the Cardinals roughed up Gio Gonzalez in a 9-0 win over the Washington Nationals.

Francona returns as a member of the media  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was odd to see Terry Francona leaning against the dugout railing at JetBlue Park during batting practice wearing loafers, khakis and am ESPN golf shirt instead of a Red Sox uniform.  —  For the first time since his departure …

O's offense complements Chen's start in win  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen tossed five strong innings, and Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis homered to lead Baltimore to an 11-1 win over the Twins on Thursday at Hammond Stadium.  —  Chen allowed just one run on four hits …