Several former Mets relievers say the bullpen was in chaos after closer Billy Wagner underwent season-ending elbow surgery in early August. The relievers had no ideas what their roles would be from night to night, and manager Jerry Manuel occasionally warmed up three pitchers at one time. Manuel will have better choices — and no excuses— now that the Mets have added closer Francisco Rodriguez and setup man J.J. Putz ...

Angels manager Mike Scioscia loves the idea of Bobby Abreu hitting in front of Vladimir Guerrero. Abreu initially will start off in the No. 2 spot, but he could drop to No. 3 if Howie Kendrick or Erick Aybar eventually proves worthy of hitting second. No player who appeared in more than 80 games for the Angels last season had a higher on-base percentage than Abreu's .371 mark for the Yankees ...

Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez is open to rejoining the Diamondbacks, but the possibility could arise only if Eric Byrnes' hamstring troubles lingered. Byrnes could make his Cactus League debut as soon as this weekend. Gonzalez left the Diamondbacks after the team declined to exercise his $10 million option for 2007 ...

The Indians considered their bullpen a strength even before right- hander Jensen Lewis arrived at spring training as a "different guy," in the words of one club official. Lewis' velocity was down at the beginning of last season, and he worked hard on his lower body during the offseason to make sure he avoids another slow start.