Tearing it Up
THE GOOD NEWS ... Davis threw five no-hit innings at the Yankees "A" team Friday. Johnny Oates has decided that Darren "Fantasy Death" Oliver will be the #3 starter for now, but draft him at your own risk -- or better yet, not at all. Helling worked six innings in his last start, though concern about high pitch counts remain. Kenny Rogers lasted 7.2 IP in his most recent start, good news since he'd thrown only 8 IP all spring due to rainouts. And the second-winningest "pitcher" in Texas history will throw out the first pitch Opening Day -- only Charlie Hough won more than 91-game winner Troy Aikman.

Slumping
AND THE BAD NEWS ... The downside of the rotation news, other than the fact that Oliver is still in it, is that Ryan Glynn, being counted on to fill the #4 slot ahead of Davis, gave up 14 hits and 11 runs in a minor league outing last week. New starters 3B Ken Caminiti, in an 0-for-27 slump, and 2B Randy Velarde, coming off a 2-for-25 slide, have struggled, but both will be fine. Rusty Greer is not coping well with the new strike zone, and has 10 K's in his last 20 AB, so expect a slow start to the season. And Tim Crabtree, who has looked great this spring, was finally given his first actual save opportunity against the Yankees -- and blew it.

At the Plate
BO KNOWS THE OUTFIELD ... Offseason Ranger talk often dealt with the phenomenal OF depth that could enable a trade of Ricky Ledee or even one of the projected starters for pitching help. Several injuries later, free agent pickup Bo Porter, originally ticketed for AAA, not only has played his way onto the roster, but will probably start in CF on April 1. According to Oates, "He's done a lot of things well this spring. He's a new guy. He wants to impress his new club. He's done that." When everyone's healthy, Porter's play may also mean a flight out of DFW for Chad Curtis.

Probable Starters April 1, Helling vs. TOR (@PR) April 3, Rogers vs. ANA April 4, Glynn vs. ANA April 5, Davis vs. ANA April 6, Helling vs. SEA

From the Rubber
BULLPEN ON HOLDS ... Since more and more fantasy leagues are including the category "holds" in their scoring system, here's a look at how the pre-Crabtree lineup is shaping up. Jeff Zimmerman has been overpowering, and will share the right-handed setup job with Mark Petkovsek. With Mike Venafro still battling a strained right hamstring and Chris Haney pitching himself off the roster, it looks like Mike Munoz will be the lefty complement. Pat Mahomes will be the long man and a top candidate for vulture wins. Jeff Brantley is around to back up Crabtree, but he has looked only so-so this spring.

On the Mend
AT LEAST RUBEN’S OK ... So where's Francisco Cordero in the bullpen picture? His lower back stress fracture will keep him out for two more weeks; then he’ll be the closer -- in Oklahoma City. Gabe Kapler's torn right quad could keep him out a month, but if that means you can draft him late, do it! Ledee's torn hamstring tendon will sideline him another 10-14 days. The good news about the outfield: Ruben Mateo is sufficiently recovered from last year's injury that he stole his first base of the spring. Bill Haselman is all the way back; Pudge Ridriguez owners, remember to pick up Haselman as insurance.