1.   Boston right-hander Ramon Martinez, former ace of the Dodgers, may be ready to begin his rehabilitation assignment within a month.

2.   Former pitching ace Nolan Ryan benched himself Thursday in the Republican race for Texas agriculture commissioner rather than give up his lucrative commercial endorsements.

3.   He was referring to his former ace, Pedro Martinez, who remained in Florida for a bullpen throwing session.

4.   Ashby is assured a spot, while Martinez, a former Dodgers ace, is competing with Carlos Perez and Eric Gagne for the final slot.

5.   Former Cincinnati Reds ace Jose Rijo says he might pitch in the Dominican winter league as part of his attempted comeback from two years of elbow surgery.

6.   Former Phillies ace Steve Carlton is serving as the spokesman for FanFest, the party run in conjunction with the game.

7.   Neagle could be bumped by former Mets ace David Cone.

8.   New Zealand, meanwhile, can find no place in its starting line-up for talented Henry Paul, the former Wigan ace.

9.   Schumacher said he expected his duel against the former North American CART ace to continue.

10.   The former Reds ace is entering the final year on his contract.