Former Cardinal Jason Isringhausen would like to make comeback with St. Louis Cardinals  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The door for Jason Isringhausen's return to the Cardinals appears more closed than open, for now.  —  Pitchers and catchers have reported to all 30 major-league camps …

Today's the day for Griffey decision  —  Atlanta offers Junior a job closer to home and family in Florida  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners and the Atlanta Braves have extended contract offers to former Mariners All-Star outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. for the 2009 season.

Ryan Ludwick has a done deal, Cardinals confirm  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick and the club have agreed to a one-year deal and avoided tomorrow's scheduled arbitration hearing.  General manager John Mozeliak just confirmed that a deal was struck early this evening …

Santana delay a schedule issue  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Johan Santana's first Grapefruit League start will wait until March3 against the Cardinals, nearly a week into the Mets' spring schedule.  —  Pitching coach Dan Warthen said the delay isn't related to Santana's return from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

YES Pulls the Plug, Temporarily, on a Yankees Star  —  When Alex Rodriguez faces the news media Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., he will endure a barrage of questions, many of them ones that ESPN's Peter Gammons did not ask about A-Rod's 2003 positive steroid test that was first revealed by Sports Illustrated.

Holdout Perez regrets accepting Nationals' offer  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Odalis Perez wasn't in the group of pitchers and catchers who, in the last three days, reported to the Washington Nationals' spring training camp in Viera, Fla., and there is no known date for the arrival of the Dominican left-hander.

Pirates, McLouth reach long-term deal  —  In a sharp reversal, the Pirates and center fielder Nate McLouth this morning agreed to terms on a three-year contract — plus a club option for a fourth — that avoided an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for this afternoon in Phoenix.

Chemistry a top priority for Mariners  —  Wakamatsu determined to have roster of ‘team’ players  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — It is difficult enough to take over a team that lost more than 100 games the previous year, but perhaps the biggest challenge facing Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu this season …

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields says steroid testing has helped game improve  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — There has been plenty said, and there will be more today at Yankees camp in Tampa, about the players who used steroids in the past.  —  But Rays starter James Shields …

Guthrie selected for Team USA  —  O's pitcher will represent country in next month's World Baseball Classic  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie has been selected for the final roster of Team USA for next month's World Baseball Classic.

Josh Gibson, Shoeless Joe and the Semi-Pros  —  Quick quiz for the baseball history buffs out there.  Did you ever wonder how well the Negro League teams did against semi-pro teams?  If the answer is “yes” then we have good news and bad news.  First, the bad news: You're a dork.  Okay, that's fine.

Acquired in J. J. Putz Trade, Sean Green Also Seen as Valuable to Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — On the evening of Dec. 10, the news filtered into the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, around its gaming tables and through its long and wide corridors until baseball people everywhere …

Izzo's testimony ties him to drugs  —  Patriot was supplied by Bonds's trainer  —  After years of downplaying his role in the steroids scandal, Patriots special teams captain Larry Izzo is prepared to testify at Barry Bonds's criminal trial that Bonds's personal trainer, Greg Anderson …

Ohman has offers from Bucs, Marlins, Padres  —  Will Ohman, one of the top relievers left on baseball's free agent market, has major league offers in hand from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins and San Diego Padres, but plans to continue discussions with three contending teams before making …

At long last, Fields signs with Mariners  —  Early Monday afternoon, Josh Fields stood in the parking lot outside Seattle's Peoria Stadium clubhouse, meeting with Mariner general manager Jack Zduriencik and assistant GM Lee Pelekoudas.  —  It looked like a deal had been done …