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.

N.C.A.A. Ban on Lawyers for Athletes Ruled Illegal  —  An Ohio court ruling on Thursday could markedly alter negotiations between Major League Baseball draft picks and their teams if it withstands appeal.  —  Erie County Judge Tygh M. Tone ruled that an N.C.A.A. rule, which renders …

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 …

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 …

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 …

U-Miami renames baseball stadium after A-Rod  —  CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Saying he had a responsibility to give back, Alex Rodriguez briefly addressed the drug scandal that has enveloped his life for the last week Friday night when Miami formally renamed its baseball field in his honor.

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.

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.

You wanted a roster, here's a roster  —  I have literally received two dozen e-mails from people in the last 24 hours asking about roster numbers.  Rather than answer all of them, I asked the Yankees to e-mail me a roster I could post.  So thanks to the very efficient Connie, here you go:

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 …

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 …

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.

New witness claims she saw trainer inject Bonds  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors plan to call Barry Bonds' former personal shopper to testify at his trial next month that she saw the slugger's personal trainer inject him.  —  Prosecutors also said in a court filing Friday …

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. …