Yankees game delayed by bees

TAMPA — The biggest buzz didn't come from a third straight positive outing by RHP Michael Pineda in the Yankees' 8-1 victory over the Red Sox.

That honor went to a swarm of bees that took over leftfield and delayed the game for seven minutes before the bottom of the third.

"Just a strange little delay of game," said Boston LF Mike Carp, who walked toward the infield to get away from the bees. "They kept coming toward me and I wanted no part of that. I didn't want a couple thousand bees on me."

Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira went from the dugout to the clubhouse and returned with a couple jars of honey.

"What I thought is, if you just do a line of honey out to the parking lot, the bees would maybe follow it and then leave us alone," Teixeira said with a smile.

Umpires called out the grounds crew, which received a loud cheer after chasing the bees away with bug spray.

MEANWHILE: Pineda, who missed two seasons while recovering from right shoulder surgery, gave up four hits and struck out five in 41/3 shutout innings. He has yet to give up a run in nine spring innings.

Phils: End for Rollins?

CLEARWATER — SS Jimmy Rollins, who has spent his entire 14-year big-league career with the Phillies, may be on the trading block.

According to media reports, many in the organization believe the Phillies might be better off dealing the former NL MVP, who has occasionally been criticized for his work ethic. Rollins, 35, was benched for three straight days last week by new manager Ryne Sandberg, who has downplayed reports of a rift.

Jays: Closer close

DUNEDIN — Closer Casey Janssen took the final step toward his spring debut, throwing batting practice at the Blue Jays' spring complex in Dunedin.

Janssen, who is working his way back from a sore shoulder, is set to pitch in a game Friday.

"Another step in the right direction. Got the heart pumping a little bit, which was nice," Janssen told mlb.com.

ROMERO ROCKED: LHP Ricky Romero, trying to come back from two difficult seasons, gave up three runs, three hits and five walks in 22/3 innings of an 18-4 loss to the Tigers in Lakeland. He threw 23 of 57 pitches for strikes. "Obviously, it's disappointing," he told mlb.com. "I wanted to get to my pitch count and get up there in innings and whatnot. But what can I do now? Just go back to work (today) and clean up what I did wrong."