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 …

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 …

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,” …

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 …

Dunn a big gun for Nationals' lineup  —  Left-handed slugger adept at going deep and getting on base  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals made it official Thursday afternoon when they introduced first baseman/outfielder Adam Dunn at a news conference at Nationals Park.  Dunn signed a two-year, $20 million contract on Wednesday.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Young, Twins agree to 1-year deal for 2009  —  Buzz up!  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Delmon Young and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to terms on a $1,152,000, one-year contract.  —  Young gets a raise from the $700,000 he made last season, but his salary is technically being cut …

Nationals will not pursue Hudson  —  Team to go forward with Belliard, Gonzalez, Harris and Hernandez  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals will no longer pursue free agent Orlando Hudson.  Instead, they will have four players — Ronnie Belliard, Alberto Gonzalez, Willie Harris and Anderson Hernandez …

Rays make Shouse deal official, designate Salas  —  The Rays finally completed their deal for lefty reliever Brian Shouse and made room on the 40-man roster by designating for assignment reliever Juan Salas.  —  Salas, 30, pitched in only five games for the Rays last season …

Buster bombs Yanks in showdown … Can it get any better than this?  —  A former beat writer of a team facing the team that he once covered, the team that he wrote a book about: Buster Olney against the New York Yankees.  —  Every beat guy wants to beat the competition …

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 …