A.L. report.(BASEBALL)

DEVIL RAYS LHP Scott Kazmir (6-0,188) added 12 pounds of muscle in the offsesaon; his goal was strengthening his legs, and he hopes the improved conditioning will help him become the No. 1 starter. ... TWINS C Joe Mauer withdrew from the World Baseball Classic, which should help him stay healthy and develop a better relationship with the pitching staff. With a couple of youngsters, LHP Francisco Liriano and RHP Scott Baker, competing to be the No. 5 starter and some new faces in the bullpen, Mauer's presence will be especially important. ... The RED SOX's rotation is deep, so RHP Jonathan Papelbon likely will begin the season as a reliever. That would increase the team's confidence in its bullpen. Papelbon has a powerful arm and was impressive in relief last season, when he averaged slightly more than a strikeout an inning. ... RANGERS RHP Francisco Cordero wants to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, but he will see how he feels after the first couple of weeks of spring training before making a decision. He had shoulder problems in camp last spring and wants to avoid a recurrence. ... BLUE JAYS C Bengie Molina will have to become familiar with the pitching staff, but he should be an upgrade over incumbent Gregg Zaun, who will return to a backup role. However, Zaun still will get a lot of playing time; he had 11 home runs and 61 RBIs last season, both career highs, and he has a good rapport with the pitching staff. ... The additions of Armando Almanza and Rusty Tucker will give the WHITE SOX as many as eight pitchers competing to be the lefthanded specialist, the biggest question mark in an outstanding bullpen. ... Bernie Williams primarily will be the YANKEES' DH this season, but he also will play left or right field because manager Joe Torre would like to use LF Hideki Matsui and RF Gary Sheffield as the DH occasionally to give them more rest. ... OF Jason Michaels' ability to adjust to a full-time role could be the INDIANS' X-factor this season. Michaels isn't as fast as former Cleveland LF Coco Crisp, but he had a .399 on-base percentage as a part-time player last season. ... LHP John Halama, who probably will make the ORIOLES' roster as a long reliever and spot starter, also would give the team some rotation insurance. RHP Daniel Cabrera and LHP Erik Bedard are prone to injuries. ... ATHLETICS 2B Mark Ellis is ...