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 …

Top 100 Prospects  —  The Best of the Best

EATON TO PHILS: RELEASE ME  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — So, we heard from Adam Eaton a little bit ago.  Eaton is, without question, the elephant in the clubhouse.  After opting to go home instead of pitching in the Florida Instructional League last October, Eaton isn't in the running for the Phils …

Mets sign Martinez to Minors deal  —  Infielder played in seven games with club last season  —  The Mets added a familiar infielder to Spring Training camp, signing Ramon Martinez to a Minor League deal, according to multiple sources.  —  Martinez, 36, appeared in seven games for the Mets …

Leyritz to wait for trial in jail after bail revoked  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz had his bail revoked Friday and was put in jail to await trial on charges he killed a woman in a drunk driving accident.  —  Prosecutors said Leyritz drank alcohol before the trial …

Tim Wakefield trusts in Josh Bard  —  Doesn't foresee issues  —  FORT MYERS - Three years ago, Josh Bard couldn't handle Tim Wakefield [stats]'s knuckleball, forcing the Sox to deal Bard and reacquire Doug Mirabelli [stats].  —  This spring, Bard is back and penciled in as Wakefield's catcher …

Santana, Aybar hearings rescheduled  —  PHOENIX — Salary arbitration hearings for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ervin Santana and Tampa Bay infielder Willy Aybar were postponed Friday.  —  The hearings will be rescheduled for next week unless the players reach agreements with their teams, which appears increasingly likely.

Mariners sign first-round pick Fields  —  Former Georgia closer was selected 20th overall in 2008 Draft  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners have reached an agreement on a contract with Josh Fields, their first-round selection in last June's First-Year Player Draft.

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. …

Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Is it over yet?  —  We're talking, of course, about a period we once used to refer to as “the offseason.”  (Sheez, you were expecting maybe the A-Rod-Madonna lovefest?)  —  That isn't a question we normally ask …

Mets' Santana won't pitch for Venezuela in WBC … CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — New York Mets ace Johan Santana will not be pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.  —  The Venezuelan Baseball Federation announced Friday the two-time Cy Young winner will miss the tournament that begins next month.

Torre, Colletti keeping tabs on Manny  —  Dodgers not backing off pursuit with camp under way  —  PHOENIX — Chances are if the Dodgers are ever going to make a deal with Manny Ramirez, the most experienced deal makers in the organization — owners Frank and Jamie McCourt — will be the ones making it.

McLouth hopes to avoid arbitration  —  Tuesday hearing approaches as outfielder, Bucs continue talks  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — On Friday, all focus could be on baseball for Nate McLouth, who arrived here to begin working out on Wednesday.  But looming over the All-Star outfielder …

An Interview with Peter Abraham of the Journal News  —  Pitchers and Catchers began reporting this week to Spring Training.  Alex Rodriguez admitted to using anabolic steroids.  So we interviewed a baseball writer, Peter Abraham of the Journal News (NY).  He's got what is widely considered …

Rockies' Francis upbeat about shoulder  —  TUCSON — Reports of the demise of Jeff Francis' 2009 baseball season might be greatly exaggerated.  —  Emphasis on might be.  —  The Rockies' left-handed starter said today his ailing left shoulder is feeling “much better” and that he's hopeful surgery can be avoided.

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 …