Rox sign Steve Finley  —  42-year-old to join spring training as nonroster player  —  Tucson - In hopes of adding speed, experience and depth to their outfield, the Rockies signed 18-year veteran Steve Finley to a minor-league contract today.  —  Finley, who turns 42 on March 12, will be a nonroster player during spring training.

Now at Camp, a Tantalizing Hint of the Future  —  Out beyond the right-center-field fence of Field No. 4, past a concrete path, a gully and a golf cart, stands a maintenance shack.  It is about 430 feet from home plate, which on Saturday morning put the workers in the area within range …

Ozzie: It's start or be sent down for Anderson, Sweeney, Owens  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — On the plane ride to Arizona less than two weeks ago, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and bench coach Joey Cora played with different lineup scenarios.  —  And while there has been plenty of talk about all the young …

Pavano hit on foot by batted ball  —  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Carl Pavano's 13th pitch in batting practice was an unlucky one.  —  The New York Yankees pitcher was hit on the bottom of his left foot by a liner off the bat of infielder Alberto Gonzalez during his second BP session on Saturday.

Playing percentages agrees with Piniella  —  Lou Piniella will manage with his gut on occasion, but mostly he will play the percentages when it comes to matchups.  —  "I believe in numbers," Piniella said.  "Baseball is a strict percentage game.  That's why they keep [statistics]. ...

Now a National, Snelling still seeking the right fit  —  VIERA, Fla. — As he prepared for the great unknown that awaited him in his post-Mariners life with the Washington Nationals, Chris Snelling fleetingly pondered a way to make an indelible first impression.

Swisher's Workout Went Way Back to Basics  —  Parked in front of the Oakland Athletics' spring-training complex Thursday morning was a blue big rig that had underwater treadmills for sale.  —  Some major league player is sure to buy one and install it in his indoor pool …

Finally, peace ... La Russa, Rolen end their spat  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen have declared a cease fire.  —  The two shared a firm handshake and a brief but congenial exchange outside La Russa's office Thursday.

Matsuzaka impresses teammates, coaches in BP  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Photographers jammed the left-field line from home plate to third base.  Daisuke Matsuzaka threw the first pitch of his first batting practice.  Then he threw 43 more — fastballs, curves, sliders and changeups.

Manny won't attend N.J. auction  —  FORT MYERS - Manny Ramirez [stats] remains absent from spring training, but any doubt about the pitcher's whereabouts this weekend were finally and firmly erased yesterday.  —  After much speculation that Ramirez might attend a classic car auction …

Sammy dodges the steroids issue with a Texas two-step  —  It must have been difficult for Sammy Sosa to decide between giving baseball another try or following Emmitt Smith to fame in Dancing with the Stars.  —  My suggestion: He's better off sticking with baseball.

With family history, Nady to take Crohn's disease test  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady will be tested Monday to determine if he has a chronic digestive ailment known as Crohn's disease.  —  Nady was hospitalized three days earlier this week for an inflamed intestine and …

Duaner counting on coming up North  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Duaner Sanchez has yet to gain clearance to step on a mound, but the reliever, who had surgery last Aug.1 to repair a separated shoulder, still expects to break camp with the Mets.  —  Sanchez continued to make progress yesterday, tossing a baseball on flat ground at 130feet.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Charting the Spectrum  —  So tonight I was supposed to write a column on shortstop prospects.  The first words of my column were to be as follows: "We're going to try and get out of here in less than 2500 words."  Unfortunately for that mission …

Larsen, Berra watch '56 World Series perfect game broadcast  —  LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (AP) — More than 50 years after etching his name in baseball's record books, Don Larsen finally got to see himself do it.  —  Along with a crowd of about 100 people Friday night that included former teammate Yogi Berra …

Pitching duo helps give Brewers depth  —  Jackson, Villanueva likely to start season in Nashville  —  PHOENIX — Last year at this time, Zach Jackson was a newcomer to the Brewers who quietly dressed at a corner locker.  Carlos Villanueva was entering his third season with the club …