NUMBERS GAME

1.77 ERA (14 earned runs in 71 1/3 innings) for the St. Louis rotation in its first 21 games this spring training. The keys have been converted reliever Adam Wainwright (1.25), second-year right-hander Anthony Reyes (0.56) and free-agent signee Kip Wells, who has not allowed an earned run in 12 innings.

IF IT'S WHAT RODRIGUEZ WANTS

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn't seem concerned. He says the team is not going to offer an extension for the deal, which has four years remaining.

HE SAID IT

"We said that whatever we got from these two fine young men would be a bonus, and we've made different preparations. . . . It's not like it's the end of the world if they're not quite ready for the season."

Lou Piniella, Cubs manager, on the expectation right-handers Mark Prior, left, and Kerry Wood, right, will begin the season on the disabled list.