The Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. - Kris Benson doesn't expect to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates past the end of spring training.

Benson, who can become a free agent after the season, said he has been told by his agent that five teams are interested in trading for him.

"It's going to be interesting to see what's going to happen over the next couple of weeks," Benson said.

In addition to reports that the New York Yankees are interested, Benson said he thinks the list of suitors includes the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox.

"I know it's there. I know they are talking; the rumors are flying," Benson said. "I know they are legitimate. It's totally in the Pirates' hands."

Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield wouldn't comment but said it's only natural that rumors would surface about Benson, who will make $6.1 million this season.

The Pirates traded high-priced veterans Brian Giles, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, Randall Simon, Scott Sauerbeck, Mike Williams and Jeff Suppan last summer, and they are trying to unload the $42 million left on Jason Kendall's contract.

Benson, the first overall pick in the 1996 draft, is 35-41 with a 4.27 ERA in five seasons. Since signing a $13.8 million, four-year contract in 2001, he has made only 43 starts because of injuries to his right elbow and right shoulder. He is 15-15 since signing the deal.

BRAVES: John Smoltz needed just seven pitches to retire the side in his first outing of the spring in a split-squad victory over the Yankees.

Smoltz invited his good friend Tiger Woods to watch him pitch and put on an efficient show. The All-Star closer threw six strikes in getting two groundouts and a soft fly in the sixth inning, his first appearance since offseason elbow surgery.

"It was a little nerve-racking, even after 17 seasons of doing this, but I felt really good about it," Smoltz said. "I wanted to go out there and be smooth, and obviously I was."

SHORT HOPS: Casey Blake hit a two-run homer and Jason Bere pitched three scoreless innings to lead the Indians over the Tigers 5-2. Bere, who had shoulder surgery in June and is trying to earn the fifth spot in Cleveland's starting rotation, allowed two hits in three innings, striking out one.

• Indians reliever Mark Wohlers has decided to take this season off for personal reasons. It could signal the end of Wohlers' career.

• Jason Phillips homered and a New York Mets split squad roughed up reliever Rick Bauer in a 7-1 victory over the Orioles.

Bauer was charged with five runs - three earned - in 2 2/3 innings after replacing starter Eric DuBose in the fifth. In that inning, Bauer gave up a two-run double to Danny Garcia and an RBI double to Karim Garcia as the Mets broke a 1-1 tie.

• Derek Lowe pitched five solid innings and Brian Daubach hit a grand slam to help the Red Sox past the Blue Jays. Lowe allowed one run on five hits and struck out three. He threw 38 of 55 pitches for strikes and got 10 groundball outs.

• Barry Bonds took batting practice Saturday for the first time since injuring his back last week, though he's still a few days from returning to the lineup.

"He'll probably play Tuesday at the earliest unless he changes his mind," Giants trainer Stan Conte said.

• Geoff Blum's two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning sent the Devil Rays to a 6-5 victory over the Phillies. Carl Crawford homered on the first pitch from Vicente Padilla. It was the only run allowed by Padilla, the first Phillies pitcher to work five innings this spring.

• Jeff Weaver pitched four solid innings, but the Twins rallied for four runs in the ninth to win 5-4. Weaver is trying to revive his career in Los Angeles after struggling with the New York Yankees for a season and a half. The 27-year-old right-hander, who grew up a Dodgers fan, allowed one run and six hits.

• Seattle manager Bob Melvin named 41-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer the Mariners' opening day starter April 6 against Anaheim.