According to sources, an idea has been kicked around the Phillies' organization internally, with discussions about proposing a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro flatly denied that the internal discussions have taken place. "Lies," he said. "That's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie."

Howard was born in St. Louis and the Cardinals could conceivably sign him to a more affordable extension than Pujols will command. [READ]

Brian McNamee's defense attorneys might call on Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera to testify about former Yankees teammate Roger Clemens.

Clemens is attempting to appeal a judge's decision to dismiss his defamation suit against his former trainer.

The New York Daily News reported Saturday that McNamee's defense lawyers sent a 60-page brief to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals saying they might call on Rivera, Derek Jeter and pitcher Andy Pettitte for sworn testimony. [READ]

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has an impressive resume, but he's looking to elevate his game even further this season.

He's moved closer to the plate his spring.

"Right now, I like where he's standing in the [batter's] box," manager Charlie Manuel said. "That's all we talk about when we talk about his hitting. Ever since I first met him, I've talked to him about standing closer to the plate and, at times, he has, but he's never stuck with it. Right now, he's probably standing the closest he ever stood. He's got good plate coverage, and he's cutting down the area the guy can throw the ball in.

"By cutting down the area the pitcher can throw the ball in, you're also cutting down the area for mistakes like chasing bad [pitches]. I like exactly where he's standing right now."

His movement is designed to make him comfortable on both sides of the plate.

"I'm just trying to find a spot where I can feel comfortable covering both sides of the plate," Howard said. "I want to be in a place where I don't tie myself up on an inside pitch, but I can still get my arms extended to reach the outside part of the plate. I've always been pretty far off the plate to make sure my arms were extended. There's an adjustment in my vision and depth perception because of where you are in your stance and where your head is." [READ]

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester can somewhat relate to what prospect Ryan Westmoreland is going through and says the outfielder is in good organizational hands.

Boston announced Saturday that the 19-year-old will have surgery Tuesday for a cavernous malformation in his brain.

Lester battled cancer four years ago.

"I don't know if you can compare what [I] went through to that," Lester said Sunday. "I mean you're talking about a brain, it's a little different situation. He's definitely in a good organization as far as doctors and people that'll take care of him. As far as that goes, we got a lot of good resources here." [READ]

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg threw three shutout innings on Sunday against the Cardinals.

St. Louis still defeated Washington, which dropped to 0-10 in exhibition play.

Strasburg, the top overall pick in last year's draft who signed a record $15.1 million contract, allowed two singles and a walk in his second spring training start. [READ]

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will see a back specialist on Monday.

He'll return to Baltimore for the appointment after missing spring games with the injury.

"I'm just going there to see a back doctor and just make sure we're progressing in a way we need to be and if we need to ramp it up and do anything else, then we will," Roberts said Sunday.

"It's gone a while," he added. "We'd like to get over the hump a little bit." [READ]

New union chief Michael Weiner says that the Players' Association will not agree to a blood test for human growth hormone during the season.

"If a scientific valid urine test is developed it goes into place automatically," Weiner said Saturday. "Blood testing is much more complicated; issues in terms of the interference with the player's job and at this point we also have questions about the science of the test.

"Given the demands on baseball players," Weiner said, "in terms of the daily requirements of the players, asking to draw players blood before he has to go play on a summer night in St. Louis is different than to supply a urine example before he has to go play on a summer night in St. Louis or asking him to draw blood after he plays on a summer night in St. Louis and has to play on a summer afternoon the next day is different than collecting his urine.

"Blood testing during the season creates additional complications." [READ]

Rangers infielder Ian Kinsler will miss at least a week of action with a high right ankle sprain.

Kinsler hurt his ankle in pregame warm-ups on Friday.

"I'll be OK," he said. "I'm not going to put a timetable on it. I'll be playing games before we leave spring training." [READ]

Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland, 19, will undergo brain surgery Tuesday for an unusual congenital condition that carries significant risk of neurological damage and is potentially life-threatening.

Westmoreland will undergo surgery Tuesday in Arizona, the team announced Saturday night, to remove a "cavernous malformation of the brain."

Jason McLeod, who this past winter left the Sox as scouting director to go to the San Diego Padres, said that Westmoreland had more upside than any other player in his five years of running the team's amateur drafts. [READ]

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is expected to attend the team's home opener in New York on April 13.

Team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner has told The Associated Press that "the plan" is for his father to attend the game.

George Steinbrenner has rarely been seen at Yankee Stadium of late. [READ]

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz sidestepped questions about his future in Boston on Saturday.

The team holds a $12.5 million option for the 2011 season.

"I'm just focusing on playing, not being a distraction about anything," Ortiz said. "It's going to be up to them to come talk to me. So I'm getting prepared to play." [READ]

Jim Edmonds is hoping for a starting role with the Brewers as the regular season nears.

"There's a lot of thinking going on right now," Edmonds said. "That's when I woke up the other day and was like, 'What am I doing here?' Those are the days you’ve got to come and grind it out."

Carlos Gomez is slated to be the starter, but manager Ken Macha likes what Edmonds has done so far in camp.

"He'll be a nice addition," manager Ken Macha said. "You've got three different guys that can play center field." [READ]

Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon had a home run and two RBIs on Saturday against the Yankees.

Detroit beat New York 6-2 in a matchup of split squads.

[READ]

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his foot on Wednesday, but an X-ray revealed no damage.

Lee has been held out of action since the incident.

Chicago manager Lou Piniella said that Lee will likely be available on Tuesday. [READ]

The Twins have signed outfielder Denard Span to a five-year, $16.5 million contract.

It includes a $9 million team option for 2015.

"We go through a pretty good checklist of criteria before we enter discussions with a player about a long-term contract and he has been very good for us for two years," Minnesota general manager Bill Smith said.

"We thought the time was right. It's a big deal for him, it provides him with a lot of security. It provides us some certainty with our leadoff hitter and center fielder."

Span became Minnesota's everyday outfielder when they traded Carlos Gomez this summer. [READ]

It's unlikely that Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will be ready for the start of the season.

He was unable to throw a batting practice session on Saturday morning.

Matsuzaka was warming up for the session and had thrown five pitches in the bullpen when he shut it down. [READ]