Erstad could still return to Angels  —  Free agent Darin Erstad still could return to the Angels as a backup first baseman and outfielder, but the Marlins and White Sox are offering him greater playing time, according to his agent, Greg Genske.  —  The Cubs, who remain interested in Erstad …

Dodgers, Rudy Seanez agree to terms  —  Right-hander Rudy Seanez and the Dodgers have agreed to a minor league contract that could pay the veteran relief pitcher $1.2 million if he meets performance incentives.  —  Seanez, a 15-year veteran who split last season with the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres …

Rejuvenated Sosa poised for comeback  —  He's hit 588 career home runs.  Only Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays have more.  He's also driven in nearly 1,600 runs and has a respectable career batting average of .274.  —  On top of that, he's the only player in baseball history …

It's official: Yanks to host '08 All-Star game  —  After three years of discussion and planning, the Yankees, Major League Baseball and New York City are ready to formalize one of the area's worst-kept secrets.  —  At a news conference a week from Tuesday, two people familiar …

Ohka, Pirates break off talks  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Tomo Ohka will not be pitching for the Pirates.  —  In a sudden and surprising reversal, Ohka and his agent, Jim Masteralexis, decided today to abandon all of their two-year offers through free agency …

Athletics agree to terms with Justin Duchscherer  —  A's pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 16  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics announced Monday the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on one-year contract for the 2007 season, avoiding arbitration.

Mets host blood drive at Shea  —  Club draws hundreds to event held at Diamond Club  —  NEW YORK — The Diamond Club at Shea Stadium looked like a hospital emergency ward on Monday, with nurses scrambling around attending to the constant flow of patients filling two dozen gurneys.

McPherson opts for back surgery  —  Procedure to remove disk will likely sideline infielder 6 months  —  Dallas McPherson will have surgery Tuesday to repair a lower-back condition that has not improved through rehab.  —  The power-hitting third baseman will undergo a procedure to remove …

Twins' mastermind has enviable track record  —  On June 11, the Minnesota Twins were off.  Francisco Liriano had blanked Baltimore the day before, and the Boston Red Sox, as fearsome as any team in the majors at that time, were due the next day for a three-game series.

Mailbag: How will the Nats fare in 2007?  —  Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Do you have any predictions on how the Nationals will play in 2007?  — Mark R., Ottawa, Canada  —  It's too early, Mark.  Before I make a prediction, I want to see how the …

Philadelphia Phillies  —  FIRST, I WANT to thank Pat Burrell's left wrist for setting up this interview with the left hemisphere of his brain.  —  Hi, and thanks for giving me some time on this important NFL Sunday.  Should I call you Pat?  Half-Pat?  Half-Brain?

Lawrence signs with Rockies  —  Former Padres pitcher agrees to one-year contract  —  DENVER (AP) — Right-hander Brian Lawrence, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies that guarantees him $750,000.

Twins sign RHP Ortiz for $3.1M  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Right-hander Ramon Ortiz and the Minnesota Twins agreed Monday to a $3.1 million, one-year contract.  —  Ortiz went 11-16 with a 5.57 ERA with 64 walks and 104 strikeouts in 190 2-3 innings over 33 starts last season for the Washington Nationals.

The Good, the Bad, and the Cheap: The Cost Efficiency of 162 Starts  —  In today's game, teams break Spring Training camp with 162 games ahead of them and plan for a five-man rotation to cover all the starts in those games.  Of course, teams know there will be injuries, trades …

Mailbag: What's going on with Gibbons?  —  Orioles reporter Fordin answers fans' questions  —  What are the team's long-term plans for Jay Gibbons?  I have always appreciated his bat and defense as well as his ability to fight through injuries.  —  Baltimore signed Gibbons …