Oliver Wins Suit Against NCAA  —  In a landmark decision, an Ohio judge today ruled in favor of Oklahoma State lefthander Andrew Oliver in his lawsuit against the NCAA.  Erie County judge Tyge M. Tone ruled that the NCAA cannot restrict a player's right to have legal representation …

A Boost and a Blast  —  Finally, the Nationals can smile.  And show their faces when they do it.  —  After three years as owners, the Lerner family can point at Adam Dunn — all 275 pounds of him, with five straight 40-homer seasons — and say, as Mark Lerner did yesterday: “We are thrilled. …

Low preseason expectations for White Sox  —  Prospectus has Sox in cellar, Cubs winning Central (but not Series)  —  As White Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training Sunday, Ken Williams might want to make Baseball Prospectus 2009 mandatory reading.

Raissman: YES is best cover for Alex … While watching the Yankees fail to qualify for a playoff berth in his rookie season as Yankees manager, Joe Girardi managed to alienate the media covering the team.  —  Girardi staked his final claim to lame in late September when he lied to reporters …

Uhlaender touched many  —  Baseball took a hit on Thursday.  —  Ted Uhlaender died.  —  Put Alex Rodriguez and his lies and performance-enhancing drugs on hold for a moment.  Ignore the accusations of a former female acquaintance about Roberto Alomar and AIDS.

Mets rotation arrives early, has great chemistry  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets' rotation doesn't have  —  CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe or even Pedro Martinez anymore.  But what it appears to have is chemistry and a sense of purpose, two things on display even before the official beginning of spring training.

Jason Varitek's return a relief to Justin Masterson  —  FORT MYERS - Count Red Sox [team stats] reliever Justin Masterson among the many men in uniform who can't wait for the arrival of veteran catcher Jason Varitek [stats].  —  “I was excited when I heard he's coming back,” …

Percival “absolutely” planning for opening day  —  Closer Troy Percival said is recovering well from Dec. 3 back surgery and “absolutely” expects to be ready for the start of the season.  —  Percvial said he plans to pitch in 5-6 exhibition games and expects to start the season as the Rays closer.

News: Ramon Martinez back with Mets  —  Ramon Martinez will return to the Mets as a non-roster invitee, though he has not yet reported to camp.  —  The 36-year-old Martinez, who bats right-handed, hit .250 in seven games for the Mets last season.  —  He was the team's starting second baseman in their final game of the year.

Switch to the Show  —  After spending the pre-camp portion of the week at the minor-league complex, everyone is packing up and switching to Tradition Field for the actual start of spring training.  —  Freddy Garcia arrived this morning, and the lockers in the main clubhouse already have been assigned.

Manny Ramirez puts DirecTV appearance on hold  —  Manny Ramirez smiles after hitting a single against the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 12.  Ramirez has postponed a promotional appearance for DirecTV since he could be on the verge on signing a new contract.  —  Satellite television provider DirecTV issues …

Francoeur likely destined for arbitration  —  Braves optimistic Johnson won't need hearing; not so with outfielder  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Braves remain hopeful that they'll be able to avoid arbitration hearings with both Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson, but there is a growing belief …

Almost that time...  Early Friday morning, I will be catching my flight to Sarasota, where the forecast says it will be 76 degrees (not bad).  If all goes smooth with the trip, I will head over to the complex around midday and see who is around.  Maybe I will be able to start banging out some copy too.

Dodgers are striking out in Arizona  —  The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach to Phoenix, but so far it hasn't worked out that way.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach …

Selig's statement on A-Rod, PEDs  —  Baseball Commissioner Allan H.  (Bud) Selig today responded to the recent revelations that Alex Rodriguez took performance-enhancing substances while a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003.  —  “On behalf of Major League Baseball …

Griffey to Mariners?  'It's all rumors,' he says  —  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — If Ken Griffey Jr. is about to return to the Seattle Mariners, it's news to him.  —  “We don't know what we're doing next year with respect to Seattle.  It's all rumors,” Griffey said Thursday after finishing …

Most of Clemens' defamation lawsuit dismissed  —  A U.S. District judge in Houston dismissed most of Roger Clemens' defamation lawsuit against his former personal trainer Brian McNamee Thursday, agreeing that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear most of the case and that McNamee's conversations …

It's official: Bobby Abreu, Angels reach a deal  —  As expected, the Angels announced this morning that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, believed to be for about $5 million, with veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu, who will join an outfield/designated hitter rotation …