Rockies sign Steve Finley to minor league contract  —  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The Colorado Rockies signed veteran outfielder Steve Finley to a minor league contract on Saturday.  —  Finely is a non-roster invitee at the club's spring training camp.  —  Finley, who turns 42 next month, has played 18 Major League seasons.

For Red Sox, Manny is a keeper  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Notes from spring training:  — The Rockies would listen if the Red Sox wanted to revive Manny Ramirez-for-Todd Helton discussions, but such a move would make little sense for the Sox unless they absolutely, positively decided that they no longer could tolerate Ramirez.

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.

New Baseball Statistic, With a Nod to an Old Standard  —  As newfangled baseball statistics go, on-base plus slugging percentage, or O.P.S., has become mainstream.  Stadium scoreboards display it right alongside batting average.  It has even appeared on the backs of Topps baseball cards.

Texas closer to signing Young long term  —  Rangers hope to complete five-year deal for All-Star shortstop  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have made significant progress toward signing shortstop Michael Young to a five-year contract extension that would ensure that he stays with the team through the 2013 season.

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 …

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 …

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]. ...

Brewers' expectations up with payroll  —  Owner Attanasio optimistic as deeper roster prepares for 2007  —  PHOENIX — The Brewers' principal owner dropped in at Maryvale Baseball Park on Saturday, when the full squad formally kicked off a season of higher expectations.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …