Young tries physical therapy  —  The longtime physical therapist for golfer Tiger Woods could play a role in whether the Padres reach the playoffs.  —  Pitcher Chris Young, beset by injuries to three torso muscles the past two years, has enlisted Keith Kleven, acclaimed for his muscle work with Woods and other pro golfers.

Kuroda will bolster Dodgers' rotation  —  The winter pitching market continued to work around the existing free agents Saturday, when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a three-year contract worth $35.3 million.  —  Kuroda, whom the Dodgers followed …

Orioles Speak Up Against Mitchell Report  —  The Baltimore Orioles broke ranks with the other 29 major league clubs and Commissioner Bud Selig by issuing a statement late Saturday night that strongly questioned George J. Mitchell's report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008  —  New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008  —  All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.  — Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Grade A  — Jose Tabata, OF, Grade B+  — Ian Kennedy, RHP, Grade B+  — Alan Horne, RHP, Grade B

Pettitte finds safe haven at his Tex. church  —  A day after Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte fessed up to using human growth hormone, he took refuge in the forgiving embrace of his family and his Texas church.  —  With his wife, Laura, and four children at his side, Pettitte was greeted warmly …

Silent nights: A-Rod says he, Boras not speaking  —  NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez's desire to go it alone in contract talks with the Yankees drove a wedge between him and his longtime agent, Scott Boras.  —  But the player revealed the depth of the hard feelings in a "60 Minutes" …

Yanks & Mets look into Prior  —  The possibility of the Yankees and Mets competing for a big-name pitcher always puts sizzle into a free-agent chase, but it remains to be seen how deep the two teams get into discussions over rehabbing righty Mark Prior, the ex-Cub.

Winter League Action  —  I'm waist deep in draft guide projections and writeups, so these next couple of columns won't be quite as wordy as usual.  Up this week is a look at how players are performing in winter ball.  —  Dominican Winter League  —  .246/.289/.342, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 15/6 K/BB, 7 SB in 114 AB

ESPN still waiting to hear from Viña  —  NEW YORK — Will Fernando Viña appear on ESPN again?  The network says it's up to him.  Viña joined ESPN's Baseball Tonight as an analyst in 2007 but has yet to appear on any ESPN property since being named in the Mitchell Report.

Mets fans cryin' foul after 20% hike for tix  —  It will cost you more to believe next season.  —  Mets fans will have to shell out an additional 20% for home-game tickets - a move that hasn't hit a home run with fans who are still bitter over the team's historic, season-ending slide.

Sosa in clear?  Sorry, no way  —  Perhaps you saw the two letters to the editor in Saturday's Tribune Sports section.  —  One suggested that media members take a hard look at themselves in regard to their treatment of Sammy Sosa, seeing as how Sosa's name didn't show up in the Mitchell report.