Griffey picks Braves over Mariners  —  Negotiations still on-going, both sides working to finalize deal  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen to sign with the Braves, according to a person close to the veteran star and familiar with the on-going negotiations.

Alex Rodriguez says relative injected him with banned drug … TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez expanded on his admission last week that he used a banned substance earlier this decade, saying a cousin injected him with an over-the-counter drug designed to give an “energy boost.”

Brewers sign Gagne to Minors deal  —  Reliever can become free agent if he doesn't make 40-man roster  —  PHOENIX — Exactly one year to the date he arrived at Maryvale Baseball Park with a $10 million contract in tow, Eric Gagne will report Wednesday as a Minor Leaguer pitching for a job.

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.

Brad Penny's escape from L.A.  —  Buzz up!  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. - Though he loved Los Angeles and in its place was subject to the softest free-agent market in years, Brad Penny is happy to be free of the Dodgers.  —  And though they were left to rebuild a pitching staff that could use another power arm …

A-Rod live blog  —  Our man Nick Cafardo is in Tampa to document today's highly anticipated Alex Rodriguez press conference, and following the controversial Yankees superstar's first formal chat with the media since he admitted using performance-enhancing substances, he will file a full report right here on Extra Bases.

Manuel's unusual hitting drill hands-on  —  Manager believes tool will help Mets combat fatigue at the plate  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Some degree of any big league training camp is about conditioning, of course.  Pitchers run sprints and “poles” — foul pole to foul pole — and throw, and everyone builds stamina.

Miguel Tejada apologizes to Houston Astros for use of PEDs  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — While Alex Rodriguez was addressing his use of performance-enhancing drugs in front of a national media contingent Tuesday, Miguel Tejada made a quiet apology to his teammates at the Houston Astros' training camp.

Hart avoids arbitration  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - The Brewers have avoided a salary arbitration hearing with their last eligible player, righfielder Corey Hart.  —  I haven't seen the settlement figure yet but I'm guess it's a bit lower than the midpoint figure …

Spring Training Trade Candidates  —  Big trades are a rarity in Spring Training.  Still, possibilities emerge as rosters begin to take shape.  Here's a close look at 10 Spring Training trade candidates.  —  1. Cardinals outfielders.  If everyone's healthy, the Cardinals have more outfielders than they need.

These Are Your Phillies  —  The Phillies could use another lefthander in their bullpen, but the Phillies won't be signing one of the remaining free agent lefthanders on the market like Joe Beimel and Will Ohman.  —  “They're available, but we're not on them,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Prospectus Today  —  Changing the Game?  —  Well, this is a ridiculous notion: … That's Ken Rosenthal, passing on a notion first floated by LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  All of the wailing and moaning about the plight of the remaining Type-A free agents with draft picks attached …