Tigers Johnny Damon wants to play for Rays

Johnny Damon would still like the opportunity to play for the Rays. It was just that this year he decided the opportunity was better with the Tigers, who gave him a one-year, $8 million contract. Damon said location was part of his decision. He wasn’t particularly comfortable playing rightfield (which is all the Rays had open), and he liked the idea of “taking a year off” from the daily grind of the AL East. (Plus Detroit’s Lakeland spring base allows him to commute from his Orlando-area home.) Damon also had some concern over the Rays’ payroll situation. But he sounds as if he’ll be watching closely and, perhaps, eyeing the chance to replace LF Carl Crawford if he leaves via free agency. “I knew they had some issues with what’s going to happen with Crawford and (Carlos) Peña, what’s going to happen with the payroll, all that stuff. I kinda felt like they had to get off to a great start, if not things could change,” Damon said. “I do love that organization. I probably am going to be rooting for them as soon as my playing days are over. And there’s still a chance in the future.” — St. Petersburg Times

Blue Jays land Cuban refugee shortstop away from Yankees

Cuban refugee shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria is going to get more money than the $8 million Jose Iglesias received from the Red Sox, The Post has learned. However, it won’t be from the Yankees. And that fact has nothing to do with the Yanks not wanting to spend the money on Hechavarria. According to an industry source, Hechavarria is close to signing a $10 million deal with the Blue Jays — because he doesn’t envision himself playing short for the Yankees. Hechavarria, 21, was leery of Derek Jeter’s impending extension, which will keep the Yankee captain at short for the foreseeable future. Having seen Hechavarria work out often in the Dominican Republic, the Yankees were high on the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder with a hard body that resembles a young Alfonso Soriano. Some in the organization believed Hechavarria could have made the switch to second base if the Yanks wanted to trade or let Robinson Cano go as a free agent following the 2011 season. — NY Post

MLB catcher: Teams’ emphasis on running game returns thanks to steroid testing

Small ball is coming back, and none too soon for the Detroit Tigers. “When I was in the National League I got criticized a lot for bunting in the first inning,” manager Jim Leyland said Sunday. “I’ve always had a great appreciation for it, but for whatever reason we got away from it for a while, and over in this league we slugged it.” The “whatever reason” is uncomfortable for some to discuss, but catcher Gerald Laird gets right to the point. “You see a lot of guys running more these days, not just waiting on base for that three-run homer, and I think it’s good,” Laird said. “I think it’s always been part of the game, and it kind of got away from the game a lot in that era where guys were juicing it up.” The implementation of testing for steroids has changed baseball in more ways than just punishing the users. “Now that all this testing is coming out, the speed part of the game is definitely going to come back a lot more than just hitting home runs,” Laird said. “Home runs are down obviously, and you look across the league now and a lot of teams are built on speed. You’ve got Tampa with all those guys, the Angels, now with (Chone) Figgins and Ichiro (Suzuki) over in Seattle, and the White Sox and the Twins. I definitely see the smaller part of the game coming back, the speed part.” — Booth Newspapers

Report: Royals players test results show very high level of amphetamines

RadarOnline.com has exclusively obtained drug tests from major league baseball player Jason Kendall’s contentious divorce and the tests offer a significant look into the use of Adderall by pro players. The abuse of adderall by major league baseball players has been looked at by Congress and Kendall’s test results show extremely high levels of the drug that has become many players substance of choice since major league baseball banned “greenies” (amphetamines). Adderall is an amphetamine and RadarOnline.com was first to report that abuse of the drug has become one of the battlegrounds of Kendall’s divorce from wife Chantel. … Now RadarOnline.com has exclusively obtained Jason Kendall’s drug test results, which are part of his divorce battle. Kendall was tested for amphetamines (and other drugs) several times. Of nine test results, given from November 17, 2009 to January 25, 2010, at least four had results that were extremely high for amphetamines, which is how Adderall would be detected. — Radar Online

Kris Benson headed to Diamondbacks?

D-Backs GM Josh Byrnes reported no new developments in talks with free-agent pitcher Kris Benson, a possible replacement in the starting rotation for Brandon Webb, who likely will start the season on the disabled list. Benson pitched in a simulated game for the Diamondbacks in Tucson and could be signed to a minor- or major-league contract. Byrnes, however, said it isn’t certain that the Diamondbacks will add a starter. “We’re happy with the depth we’ve got,” he said. “We’re encouraged Webby is making progress.” — Arizona Republic

Phillies GM calls ESPN Albert Pujols trade rumors “lies”

There appears to be no validity to a rumor floated on ESPN Sunday that the Phillies have discussed offering the Cardinals a potential Albert Pujols for Ryan Howard trade. In denying the rumor that the Phillies have had internal discussions about proposing such a trade, Philadelphia General Manager Ruben Amaro used the word “lie” three times. “Lies,” Amaro told ESPN’s Buster Olney. “That’s a lie. I don’t know who you’re talking to, but that’s a lie.” Both Howard, a St. Louis native, and Pujols are eligible to become free agents after the 2011 season. — St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Nats Adam Dunn could leave without contract extension

If the Nats can extend Adam Dunn for three years for close to $40 million, they should do it — and fast. His defense may improve. If it doesn’t, he’s still a bargain because the stat lovers have probably overshot in their zeal for quantifying. It’s the way of things. They themselves may be the new inefficiency in the market. Dunn’s defense should slash his price, but not slaughter it. If the Nats don’t extend Dunn, as they signed Ryan Zimmerman to an extension moments before last opening day, they and their fans should understand the implications. When a player says he won’t continue negotiations during the season, he usually means it. Then, after playing all season, risking injury, with no long-term security, when that player reaches free agency intact, he almost always leaves his old team. Feelings get hurt. — Washington Post

O’s closer Gonzalez only throwing in low 80s

New Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez wants to make one thing clear — no matter what the radar readings say, no matter how he has looked during his first two outings, his arm feels fine. There has been plenty of speculation about Gonzalez’s health as a result of his infrequent use this spring and how he has pitched in the two times that he has gotten the ball. He’s allowed one run on four hits and two walks over two innings. However, most concerning to the Orioles, scouts have clocked Gonzalez’s fastball in the mid 80s and openly inquired to local reporters about the left-handed reliever’s health. Gonzalez’s fastball usually sits in the low to mid 90s. “I really don’t look at velocity. I never have,” Gonzalez said. “It was the same thing last year at spring training. They were questioning my velocity. I was anywhere from 86 to 89. Then I come out Opening Day and I’m 93 to 95. That’s just how it is, man. — Baltimore Sun

Nolan Ryan: Rangers in position to win AL West

No team is winning 97 in the West this season. And if a team can get to 92, on paper, there is nothing to suggest that team has to be the Angels or the improving Mariners instead of the Rangers. “I think we’re positioned to win the West more than we have been in the last 10 years,” Nolan Ryan said. “Seattle did some things to help their team, and the Angels are still a factor. Oakland has a chance to be better, too, so I just think the division is going to be the tightest that it’s been.” The Rangers no longer face huge pitching disadvantages when they take on division foes. Yes, Seattle has the best 1-2 punch with Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee. No doubt about that. But the Rangers have a chance to be better than the Mariners in the 3-4-5 pitching spots. The Angels had the worst ERA in the division a year ago and they no longer have the West’s dominant offense. And Oakland still fields a Triple-A lineup on a daily basis that renders the A’s young pitching mostly useless. — Dallas Morning News

Tribe’s Kerry Wood to Twins or Cubs?

Kerry Wood, RHP, Indians — He would make a lot of sense for the Twins, as closer Joe Nathan will likely undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Wood makes $10.5 million, and with Minnesota’s budget stretched to $96 million and change — highest in team history — the Indians would have to pick up a good slab of it. The Twins are considering in-house candidates, but don’t be surprised if they look around. Wood also is drawing interest from his former team, the Cubs. — Boston Globe

Cubs can’t keep both Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy?

The Cubs would like to keep both Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy, giving them a valuable pinch-hitter and chemistry guy, along with a viable backup for Aramis Ramirez at third base. But they have only two available bench spots, and one of them is likely to go to an outfielder who can play all three spots, leaving Millar and Tracy to compete for one infield opening. Lou Piniella said one solution would be to carry 11 pitchers, which would allow them to keep both Tracy and Millar, plus an extra outfielder. “I keep talking to Larry (Rothschild, the Cubs’ pitching coach) about it,” he said with a laugh. “He keeps shaking his head.” — Chicago Tribune

Nationals deny plan to delay Stephen Strasburg’s free agency

One factor in the decision, it has been assumed, is that the Nationals would delay Stephen Strasburg’s free agency by a year by keeping him in the minors to begin the season. General Manager Mike Rizzo vowed Strasburg’s free agency will not matter in the decision. “That has nothing to do with it,” Rizzo said. “It’s the development of the player, for the long-term success of him and for the franchise. Those things, when you’re trying to win ballgames, they don’t enter a general manager’s mind. Believe me.” — Washington Post

O’s Ty Wigginton on trading block?

Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton played for five teams and a team looking for a multi-tasking power hitter may try and acquire him. “I haven’t even thought about it,” Wigginton said. “I’ve been traded twice. I know what it’s like. It’s baseball. I just want to play baseball. It doesn’t matter. I enjoy the guys. The guys are good. I enjoy it. I’m not going to say I’m mad or upset. I get to come in here and put on a major league uniform every day.” — Carroll County Times

Russ Ortiz could make Dodgers rotation?

One of the Dodgers camp’s greatest surprises so far has been former San Francisco Giants standout Russ Ortiz. A candidate to be the Dodgers’ fifth starter, Ortiz has pitched five scoreless innings in the exhibition season. This is Ortiz’s third spring training as a non-roster player. He made the Giants roster out of camp in 2007 and the Houston Astros roster last year. (He sat out the 2008 season while recovering from an elbow operation.) The 35-year-old said that he’s a much different person than he was at the peak of his career. — LA Times

Nationals haven’t ruled out Stephen Strasburg starting season in majors

Every action and quote from the Nationals this spring has hinted at the Nationals’ starting Stephen Strasburg in the minor leagues. One front-office employee spoke about the need to bring Strasburg to Washington as a full-blown major leaguer, ready to handle everything from travel to holding on runners like a professional, and not a “sideshow.” And yet, “we haven’t eliminated anything,” Manager Jim Riggleman said. “It’s going to be an organizational decision. We’ll continue to put our heads together and come up with a decision.” — Washington Post

Rays dealing Andy Sonnanstine?

Andy Sonnanstine, RHP, Rays — He is beginning to creep up the list for teams needing an end-of-rotation starter. He pitched four strong innings Thursday in a 4-1 win over Toronto, but he doesn’t seem to fit in the Tampa rotation (though he’s competing with Wade Davis for No. 5). Look for the Rays to entertain offers for him. — Boston Globe

Robinson Cano in 5-hole for Yankees

Welcome to the heart of the Yankees’ batting order, Robinson Cano. When the Yanks’ Grapefruit League schedule resumes Tuesday, manager Joe Girardi might pencil in the same lineup that he’ll use on opening night - one with Cano batting fifth, between Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada. “He’s got so much ability,” said Girardi, speaking about Cano’s progression as a middle-of-the-order presence. That time has come. “To me, Robby’s not a young player, even though he’s young on this team. “I consider Robby a veteran player.” Entering his sixth big-league season, Cano doesn’t feel like a player who has paid all his dues, “Not with all those veteran guys in front of me,” he said. “You have to keep improving and learning, and show people what you can do.” — Bergen Record

Royals Ankiel to be out for a week because of sore right ankle

The sore right ankle bothering outfielder Rick Ankiel is now sufficiently troubling to the Royals that he isn’t expected to play for a week. “It was better (Saturday),” manager Trey Hillman said, “but it was minimally better. It was better to the point where we felt like there wasn’t anything major going on. “We’ve got until the end of the month, so I’m probably going to hold Rick out for the next six to seven days to make sure. We’ve still got plenty of time.” Hillman revealed his plans before Sunday’s game against Oakland at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Ankiel remained at the club’s complex in Surprise, Ariz., where he received treatment. Ankiel, 30, was scratched from Friday’s game against Seattle in Peoria, Ariz., after reporting the soreness. He didn’t play Saturday against the Angels in Surprise. Hillman said Ankiel isn’t certain how the injury occurred. “If he did (do something),” Hillman said, “he’s not telling me. But I don’t think there was anything specific that triggered it. “In the spot where it’s sore, if you continue to do weight-bearing activities, the soreness is not going to dissipate. He knows the plan. He wants to play, but he gets the big picture.” — KC Star

ChiSox Andruw Jones gets in shape

Andruw Jones, DH/OF, White Sox — The 10-time Gold Glove center fielder with 388 career homers is still only 32 years old. So his decision to work out at Scott Boras’s facility this offseason and drop 25 pounds was a wise one. “There’s no reason he shouldn’t play at a high level,” said his former Braves manager, Bobby Cox. Jones apparently got the hint after ballooning the last two years with Los Angeles and Texas, nearly ruining his career. — Boston Globe

Rookie reliever Drew Storen to make Nationals roster?

The GM also indicated the strong possibility rookie reliever Drew Storen could make the Nationals Opening Day roster. Storen, the 10th overall pick in last summer’s draft, has tossed three scoreless innings so far this spring, allowing only one hit (on a misplayed pop-up) and one walk so far. Because he spent last summer pitching at low-Class A, high-Class A and Class AA, he carries more professional experience into camp than fellow first-round pick Stephen Strasburg, who is unlikely to make the Opening Day rotation no matter how well he pitches this spring. — Nats Insider

Brewers Hart is considering ordering prescription goggles

Brewers rightfielder Corey Hart has begun wearing his new prescription eyeglasses in games but hasn’t decided yet how that’s going to go. During a physical at the start of camp, Hart was determined to be near-sighted. He had a pair of sports glasses made by Nike as well as prescription sunglasses but admitted he hadn’t gotten comfortable with them yet. “It does feel weird,” said Hart, who didn’t play against the Giants. “I’m not used to the background looking as big as it does. You do see things differently.” As a backup, Hart has ordered a pair of contact lenses, though he isn’t excited about trying them. He also is considering ordering prescription goggles. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Phillies GM denies Ryan Howard trade rumors

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied an Internet report that the Phillies were internally discussing a trade involving Ryan Howard and St. Louis’ Albert Pujols. — Philadelphia Inquirer

Expert: Westmoreland’s surgery has risks, but full recovery is likely

The surgery that top Red Sox prospect and Rhode Island native Ryan Westmoreland will undergo Tuesday carries significant risks, but odds are that the former Portsmouth High star will come out of it alright and even be able to resume a baseball career, according to Rhode Island Hospital’s top neurosurgeon. “The risks are pretty small, meaning that the chances are, he’ll go through this and recover just fine,” said Curtis Doberstein, the hospital’s interim chairman of neurosurgery. “The overwhelming odds are, without any complications, he should recover fine, and should be able to resume his activities as a professional athlete. If everything goes well, this should not preclude him returning to a professional baseball career.” Westmoreland left spring training March 4 after complaining of headaches and saw a series of specialists. The next day, he was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation of the brain. Westmoreland, 19, was drafted in the fifth round out of Portsmouth High School in 2008. He considered attending Vanderbilt University, but committed to the Red Sox after they offered a $2-million signing bonus.— Providence Journal

Anibal Sanchez regaining his form for Marlins

Anibal Sanchez’s career has been a struggle since 2006, when he was 10-3 and became the fourth Marlins pitcher to throw a no-hitter. He was 8-14 since in three injury-marred seasons. Sanchez is in a crowded competition for the final three spots in the rotation, one that started with six candidates and may have added another in non-roster invitee Clay Hensley. Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco are the No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers. Sanchez, Rick VandenHurk and Chris Volstad appear to be the favorites for the three spots, although Hensley and Hayden Penn could jump in if any falter. Andrew Miller and Sean West appear to be pitching their way out of the competition. — Palm Beach Post

Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann looks comfortable throwing curveball

RHP Jeff Niemann used Sunday’s start to break out his curveball more extensively than he had all spring. And the reviews were impressive. Niemann gave up just one run in 32/3 innings against Detroit, striking out six and walking none. Though the outing wasn’t as long as he wanted, Niemann was pleased with how his offspeed pitches are coming along. “It’s fun to kind of bring those toys back into play,” he said. It wasn’t so enjoyable for the Tigers hitters. “I was talking to (Tigers LF Johnny) Damon in the box, and he’s like, ‘Geez, this guy’s not giving us any chance,’ ” Rays C John Jaso said. Said manager Joe Maddon: “All his pitches were working. He was very impressive.” Niemann (2.79 ERA) is comfortable throwing the curveball in many situations. — St. Petersburg Times

Mike Fontenot leads race for Cubs’ 2nd base job

Mike Fontenot looks like the early favorite over Jeff Baker in the battle to become the Cubs’ starting second baseman, the only position vacancy this spring. It’s not over yet, but manager Lou Piniella said Fontenot has an edge because the lineup is predominantly right-handed, and Fontenot would be one of two left-handed hitters, along with Kosuke Fukudome. Ultimately, Piniella said “whoever is swinging the bat” best in spring training will get the nod. — Chicago Tribune

Orioles’ Roberts to see back specialist

Brian Roberts, who has yet to play for the Baltimore Orioles this spring, said he would return to Baltimore to be examined by back specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins Hospital today. Roberts’ back has prevented him from playing so far, though he did take infield with the team Sunday morning. “I’m not alarmed because I know what my body feels like,” Roberts said. Opening Day is a little more than three weeks away, and though he obviously isn’t close to playing, Roberts said that he feels confident he’ll still be ready to play on April 6 at Tampa Bay. “It’s gone a while,” Roberts said. “We’d like to get over the hump a little bit.” Without Roberts, Robert Andino, Justin Turner and Ty Wigginton have been getting time at second base. — Carroll County Times

Billy Wagner explains why he turned Red Sox down

Billy Wagner, LHP, Braves — On considering a return to Boston this offseason: “It was very tempting because I enjoyed it so much, but it was awful hard because I’d like to close, at least give it a shot. With Pap [Jonathan Papelbon] there, you know, he doesn’t need that distraction. He’s earned his spot there, and if he had a tough spell, it would just fuel speculation, and he doesn’t need that.” — Boston Globe

Math guru says Angels will win 80 games

The Angels picked up some players over the winter, hoping to make the club more competitive this year. But it is not going to help, says Bruce Bukiet, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who uses complex mathematical equations to predict how many games each team will win each year. Bukiet, whose work is cited by a variety of media organizations, says the Angels will win only 80 games this season, after having won 97 a year ago and taking the American League West division crown. “In the American League (AL),” says Bukiet, “the New York Yankees should blow away the competition, winning the East, while the Minnesota Twins repeat as winners of the Central Division. The AL West is too close to call with all four teams within five wins and the Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels expected to win 82, 81 and 80 games, respectively. The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox will have a close contest for the AL wild card slot. — OC Register

Yanks A-Rod lost $3 million

Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging when he sold his bayfront Florida estate for nearly one-third less than he paid for it. A-Rod and ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis Rodriguez purchased the one-acre, six-bedroom property for $12 million in December 2004 but only got $8.5 million for it recently from an unidentified buyer, according to The Miami Herald. Cynthia has moved to a rental in Miami Beach’s Palm Island, the paper reports. The Yankee slugger, meanwhile, rents a $30,000-a-month, two-bedroom apartment on the 35th floor of 15 Central Park West. — NY Post

Marlins want Leo Nunez to be less passionate

For Leo Nunez to be an effective closer, Marlins catcher John Baker said “he has to back away from being so passionate, so excitable” because it leads to poor command/location. “Some Latin players see baseball too much as a job,” Baker said. “He sees it too much as his life.” — Miami Herald

D-Backs Howry has had success since ‘98

Arizona pitcher Bob Howry, who signed a one-year deal with a club option for 2011, is pitching for his sixth club since breaking in with the White Sox in 1998. Since then, he ranks fourth among relievers in innings pitched (752 2/3), is tied for fourth in wins (44) and ranks fifth in appearances (731). — Arizona Republic

Red Sox Bill Hall upset with being ripped by Player X

Bill Hall would like to have a word with Player X. That’s the pseudonym of the anonymous big league star who writes a behind-the-scenes column for ESPN the Magazine, and who relayed an unflattering secondhand story about the Sox player in the most recent issue. In a column about the grind of spring training, the mystery player wrote he “heard a story” that Hall wasn’t focused when he arrived at spring training in 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers, fresh off a new $24 million contract that was the result of a 35-homer ‘06 season. “Word of his partying made the rounds and guys predicted he was due for a slump,” Player X wrote. “Sure enough, his RBI total dropped to 63, he hit only 14 homers the next season and he was a disaster in the field. It started in spring and he never recovered.” After reading the account Saturday, Hall shook his head. Left out of Player X’s retelling is the fact that, after a slow start, Hall was on pace for 20 homers and 80 RBI in July when he tore up his ankle scaling the fence in a vain attempt to catch a homer. Also ignored is how hot Hall was - he had hit .324 with three homers, 17 RBI and a .990 OPS over the previous month. “I went out there and got hurt playing hard,” Hall said. “I’ll tell you what, I wish I could ask the guy that wrote that, has he ever seen me dog a ground ball to first base? Has he ever seen me not get to second base on a popup? Just watch me play and make judgments about what kind of person I am and what kind of player I am.” — Boston Herald

Royals Seitzer hopes new approach produces a net gain in production

Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer wants to rein in the false promise of Arizona. The best way to do that, he believes, is with a net. So this spring, when the Royals take batting practice on their two primary practice fields, they will do so with just such a net hanging down several feet from the front of the backstop. The mesh crowds the batter and serves to knock down balls that arch sharply upward from a swing. And that’s the point. Seitzer wants line drives, not desert-aided fly balls. “I want them to stay on the top half of the ball to get that backspin,” he said. “We just crushed the ball last spring, but all of those Arizona homers turn into fly balls that don’t reach the warning track.” A quick look at the stats confirm the Royals clubbed their way through the Cactus League a year ago by amassing 56 homers in 36 games — or 1.56 a game. Then came the regular season … and production plummeted to an average of .89 every game. — KC Star

MLB prospect has “Dave Kingman-like power”

Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins — A National League scout described him as having Dave Kingman-like power. “Not as accomplished as [Atlanta’s Jason] Heyward,” said the scout, “and he needs to improve his swing, but one of those guys you’re on the edge of your seat every time he comes up, just to see how far he can hit it.” — Boston Globe

C.J. Retherford makes impression with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen

Enter C.J. Retherford, a 24-year-old who has never played above Double A and has never been considered a top prospect. “I love that kid a lot,” White Sox manage Ozzie Guillen said. “So far (everything) we ask him to do in spring training he does — move the guy over, get big hits. He’s a sleeper, but he has started waking people up. “The report I had was everything he does is ugly, but he gets it done. As long as you get it done, you have a chance to play in the big leagues. I like those types of players that go out and do the little things and let the big boys do the rest.” Retherford basically is a second baseman, and the last infielder will have to be versatile enough to also play shortstop and third. “You can put this kid anywhere, I think he will play (well),” Guillen said. — Chicago Tribune

Cards 3B David Freese not swinging with power

Cards GM John Mozeliak months ago projected David Freese as the team’s leading candidate as opening day third baseman because of his power (26 home runs at Class AAA Memphis in 2008). But Freese has managed one extra-base hit in a team-most 27 at-bats this spring and has made three errors. “I came in knowing how things would go” in regard to playing time, Freese said. “Tony wanted to get a good look at me. I think so far they like what they’re seeing.” Added Mozeliak: “You sometimes tend to look at things in spring training under a microscope. Small things you do seem to create large waves. I think there’s a lot of pressure he’s put on himself. The big thing for him is just to go out and do his work day in and day out.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nats Desmond won’t be used as utilityman

Ian Desmond may get some time in the outfield this spring, but once the season begins, he’ll remain an everyday shortstop … either in Washington or Syracuse. General manager Mike Rizzo said the 24-year-old needs to play every day this season, no matter if he’s in the majors or the minors. “He’s [24] years old, and he’s going to be an everyday shortstop in the big leagues,” Rizzo said. “He’s going to play every day at shortstop somewhere this season.” Desmond has been torrid at the plate this spring, carrying a .476 average (10-for-21) with five extra-base hits and 11 RBI into today’s game against the Cardinals. He’s also drawn three walks, leading to a .542 on-base percentage. With Cristian Guzman guaranteed $8 million in the final year of his current contract, manager Jim Riggleman has sought to get Desmond more playing time by using him in center field and right field this spring. The manager has said he believes Desmond has the athletic skills to play the outfield if needed, leading to speculation he could make the Opening Day roster as a utilityman. Rizzo, though, shot down that possibility today. — Nats Insider

Hart battles McCutchen for Pirates fifth spot

The battle for the fifth spot in the Pirates’ rotation was expected to be among the most intriguing of spring training. And so far, it’s proving to be just that, with the stakes getting higher as the pitchers’ workloads increase. “Realistically, it’s between Kevin Hart and Daniel McCutchen with Brad Lincoln hanging around,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “And there are a couple other guys on the outside looking in at this point.” Through Sunday, Hart had made two starts, McCutchen two appearances in relief and Lincoln one start and one appearance in relief, plus a start in yesterday’s “B” game at Pirate City. While Lincoln could be in Pittsburgh this year, the Pirates’ first-round pick (4th overall) in 2006 will most likely begin the season in Triple-A. That leaves Hart, the Chicago Cubs’ 2007 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and McCutchen, last year’s MVP at Triple-A Indianapolis. — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Brewers Claudio Vargas the next Jose Mesa?

Claudio Vargas was so impressive that the Brewers immediately began negotiations after the season to keep the free agent on the club. “My second year in the big leagues, I was with the Montreal Expos, and (manager) Frank Robinson said he sees me more as a reliever,” Vargas said. “He said I could be like Jose Mesa, who pitched for him in Baltimore. “I didn’t pay much attention because I signed to be a starter. That’s what I wanted to be. Now, I’m in the bullpen, and I only have to worry about one or two innings. I’ve got my mind set on that now.” Making Vargas’ performance even more impressive was the number of tight situations into which he was thrust, usually with tremendous success. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

BoSox Jed Lowrie is okay after exhaustion tests

Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie is OK after undergoing a battery of tests following a rapid heartbeat and a bout of exhaustion last week. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Lowrie checked out fine and shouldn’t miss an appreciable length of time. “He had a thing the other day when we were over in Port St. Lucie,” manager Terry Francona said after the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 6-4, yesterday. “He wasn’t feeling really good, so we had him checked out with the doctor. “We wanted to run him through some tests before we get him back on the field. We’ve been doing that the last couple of days but with the weekend it kind of slowed things down a little bit. They’re all precautionary.” Lowrie has been absent from camp since late last week. — Boston Herald

Brewers manager defends weak spring lineup

Brewers manager Ken Macha took exception to a suggestion that he didn’t bring a representative team to play the Giants in Scottsdale. He had three starters in the lineup, Carlos Gomez, Casey McGehee and Gregg Zaun, as well as veteran backup Craig Counsell. “We’ve played five games in three days (including two split-squad days),” Macha said. “Our guys’ tongues are on the ground. I’ve got guys with sore ‘hammies’ (hamstrings). I’m giving them the green light, and they’re not wanting to run.” — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Billy Joel and Elton John won’t be holding concert at Fenway Park this summer

Word on Yawkey Way is that the Red Sox suits are once again scrambling to book a summer show after plans to bring Billy Joel and Elton John to Fenway Park fell through - for the second year in a row. The Sox probably are feeling like Charlie Brown kicking the football after they were again assured they would get the Piano Men to do a summer concert - and then were told they wouldn’t. “They thought this was a done deal,” said Someone Who Knows. “Then Billy announced that they weren’t going to tour.” A plan to replace the elusive Joel-John show with teen throbs the Jonas Brothers also didn’t work date-wise, because Fenway is only available when the Sox are on the road. — Boston Herald

How About That?

Of all active closers, how many saved 20 before they were 25? Not Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman or Billy Wagner. Only Francisco Rodriguez and Huston Street. Young relievers’ arms are at even greater risk than starters’. You can count on your fingers the relievers who’ve saved 20 games before age 25 who were not incinerated before age 30. A few were great: Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage and Bruce Sutter. But it’s more common when you close games at age 21 to 23, to end up with arm problems like Chad Cordero or the Orioles’ Chris Ray. — Washington Post

Coach: radar guns are inflating velocity

A retired player who is now a coach told me the radar guns are inflating velocity. “I see the 97s and 98s, and I’m saying, ‘What would Nolan Ryan, Jim Kern, or a young Frank Tanana be — 105?’ — Boston Globe

How About That?

The two players who had the most games with four or more hits last season were Miguel Tejada and Denard Span who had six such games each. — Billy-Ball

MLB manager slams Sean Penn

You can add Sean Penn to the long list of people who have been called out by Ozzie Guillen. The outspoken White Sox manager called Penn a “payaso” (clown) and “izquierdista estupido” (stupid leftist) on Twitter Friday for his praise of controversial Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. “Oh my God, Sean Penn defended our President Hugo Chavez,” Guillen, a Venezuela native, tweeted. “That’s easy when you [don’t] live in Venezuela and have money. LOL…shame on [you].” — Chicago Tribune

Who Knew?

Over the last two seasons, Rich Harden has pitched a total of 289 innings. Tom Seaver pitched 290 in 1973. — Billy-Ball

Did You Know?

Nomar Garciaparra finished his career out-homering Derek Jeter, 229-224, but trailed in lifetime average, .317 to .313. — Boston Globe

Cubs Ryan Dempster working Vegas nightclub

Chicago Cubs teammates Ryan Dempster, Kevin Millar and Xavier Nady, in town Friday for the Cubs-White Sox Big League Weekend games at Cashman Field, checked out XS nightclub (Encore). — Las Vegas Review-Journal (Norm Clarke)

Major League movie star Corbin Bernsen aka Roger Dorn to test his arm against radio host

Actor Corbin Bernsen stopped by Chickie’s & Pete’s in Philadelphia, where 610 WIP’s Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano were broadcasting live. Bernsen told us earlier he looked forward to “shutting Glen up,” referring to Macnow, whom he challenged to see who could more accurately throw a baseball from the Citizens Bank Park warning track to second base. “My arm is still good,” said Bern-sen, who played Roger Dorn in “Major League” and in a few of its sequels. It all started when “The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies,” which Macnow wrote with Comcast SportsNet’s Ray Didinger, a former Daily News sportswriter, dissed Bernsen’s performance in “Major League.” — Philadelphia Daily News