1.   His fellow infielder, Nomar Garciaparra?

2.   Fellow infielder Bret Boone, who worked out this winter with Larkin near their homes in Orlando, said Larkin appears ready to go.

3.   New York Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez needed six stitches over his left eye after a fight with fellow infielder Luis Lopez early Thursday morning on the team bus.

4.   Simon and fellow infielders Kurt Bierek, Tom Evans and Ryan Jackson, pitcher Heath Murray and outfielder Jermaine Allensworth agreed to minor league contracts.