Lee faces hitters, ready for next step  —  After throwing off the mound with the rest of the Phillies projected starting rotation on Thursday, the first day of official workouts in Clearwater, Cliff Lee did not join Cole Hamels, Aaron Harang and company when they were back on the bumps Saturday.

Waino cautiously optimistic about injury  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright, who will be examined Thursday in St. Louis for lower abdominal soreness, said Wednesday in camp he didn't think his injury was serious but didn't want to speculate too much.

Fiers not letting Stanton beanball affect pitching style  —  Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers talks about feeling the need to earn his spot in the rotation and what he needs to work on in Spring Training  —  PHOENIX — Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers still thinks about the wayward fastball …

SPORTS BLUE JAYS  —  PHOENIX -  —  One popular winter-time theory making the rounds is that the Toronto Blue Jays, with their off-season moves, made a dramatic change to the clubhouse culture.  —  Brett Lawrie?  Traded.  —  Juan Francisco, who started more games at third than Lawrie?  Long gone.

Young arms give Mets fans hope after six years of woe  —  Putting all of your chips on young pitching might not be the safest bet.  —  Then again, we're talking about the New York Mets.  Ownership's bet on Bernie Madoff is why they don't have enough chips to bet on much of anything these days.

Former All-Star slugger set club record with 144 RBIs in 2000  —  Royals great Mike Sweeney on his era of baseball and the All-Star Game coming to Kansas City  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Being elected into the Royals Hall of Fame on Wednesday was at least a small bit of light in what has been a dark two months for Mike Sweeney.

COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB  —  ROCKIES CLOSER LATROY HAWKINS WILL RETIRE AFTER SEASON AT AGE 42  —  The Denver Post  —  Rockies closer LaTroy Hawkins still throws in the mid-90s at age 42.  He probably will share the load with Adam Ottavino, John Axford and Rex Brothers in this, his 21st major-league season.

COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB  —  NEW ROCKIES PITCHER DAVID HALE OK WITH COMPETING FOR JOB IN ROTATION  —  The Denver Post  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — David Hale threw in just about every situation except as a closer for the Atlanta Braves last season.  He started games.  He worked long relief.

After Taveras tragedy, Cards working on education program  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • While Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he still was formulating the organization's comprehensive approach, he did outline some of the issues he and manager Mike Matheny will touch on Wednesday …

Chamberlain returns to Tigers' bullpen on one-year deal  —  8/10/14: With the bases loaded, Joba Chamberlain strikes out Juan Francisco to end the 9th inning and send the game to extras  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — On the day the Tigers began full-squad workouts, they saw a familiar, unexpected face sneak in to help fill out their bullpen.