Lackey has started the previous two seasons on the disabled list. He says this year he's taking a more conservative approach to camp to get ready for Opening Day.

Lackey threw about 40 pitches on the side on Thursday, when pitchers and catchers reported for the Red Sox. Lackey signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract this offseason as the prize pitching free agent.

Matsuzaka won just four games in an injury plagued 2009. He says he's been limited by a sore back, but promised to be more forthcoming with the Red Sox trainers about his injuries this season.

ZAMBRANO SAYS HE IS SHAPING UP (5:15 p.m. ET)
Carlos Zambrano had a different look Thursday when the Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers held their first workout, with a conservative haircut and trimmer physique.

He estimates he's lost between 12 and 15 pounds through a new diet and is down to 260 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame. Zambrano plans to lose five more pounds and work with a nutritionist once the season starts.

After a disappointing 9-7 season a year ago that included two trips to the disabled list for hamstring and back issues, the emotional right-hander said he plans to keep his angry outbursts in check and his body healthy.

"Believe me. I think I passed that stage where everything gets me mad," said the 28-year-old Zambrano, who headed to Arizona at the beginning of February to get a head start on spring training. "That's why you will see a Carlos Zambrano smiling and laughing with everybody."

Zambrano revealed Thursday that he's dropped the cutter from his pitching mix this season because he made too many mistakes with it last season.

"Carlos is serious this year. I think Carlos was embarrassed last year," manager Lou Piniella said. "We need Carlos. ... There is no reason Zambrano can't win 18 ball games or so."

RIVERA NOT WORRIED ABOUT AGE, CONTRACT (3:20 p.m. ET)
Mariano Rivera has no concerns about entering the final season of his contract at age 40.

The New York Yankees' closer doesn't know how many more years he wants to pitch but says, "I still think I can perform."

"Take it a year at a time and see what happens," Rivera said before the Yankees' first workout for pitchers and catchers on Thursday. "See how things go, how things develop and go from there."

Rivera went 3-3 with 44 saves in 66 games last season, helping the Yankees win their first World Series championship since 2000. He turned 40 on Nov. 29.

"How old do I feel? I feel 40," a smiling Rivera said. "I think that age will not be a factor unless you put in your mind. 'Oh, I'm 40. I feel strong. I'm ready to go. I want to play the game I love to play."

"I definitely want to pitch. It's another thing if they want me here," Rivera said. "I have a contract this year. That's all I need to know. The rest is not in my control. That's why I don't have to worry about it."

-- The Associated Press

HAMELS REPORTS TO PHILLIES IN GOOD SHAPE (1:34 p.m. ET)
Cole Hamels has reported to spring training, and pitching coach Rich Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel say he's in much better physical condition to be able to throw in the spring than he was last year.

They said he's in much better position to work on his curveball, which he struggled to throw throughout last season, than he was last spring.

Hamels said he will also work on his mental approach during games this spring, after there was concern that last season he was "pitching angry."

He also started throwing a cutter, and he called Phillies Hall of Famer Steve Carlton several times to talk about the pitch. He talked to former teammate Cliff Lee and John Wetteland about the pitch as well.

He didn't say the cutter would become his third pitch, but said that it was something he wanted to revisit.

-- Buster Olney, ESPN The Magazine senior baseball writer