After Awkward Pause, Rodriguez Thanks Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez slowly read a statement that was part explanation and part apology off white sheets of paper.  He was offering some details about why he used steroids for three years, plodding through his nervousness.

Top Nats prospect falsified age, name … A top Washington Nationals prospect and recipient of the largest international signing bonus in team history is not who he appeared to be.  Esmailyn Gonzalez, who is listed as 19 years old on the team's roster, is actually 23-year-old Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, four sources have told SI.com.

The Gagne Experiment Redux  —  Oh, how the markets change.  Last night, we took a look at Will Ohman, a lefty reliever coming off of the best season of his career, who may be in line to take a 40 percent paycut off of his $1.6 mil salary in 2008.  Today, our subject of discussion is Eric Gagne …

Forecast is hazy for Glaus  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals staged their first full-squad workout Tuesday with only one position player not on the field.  —  Four weeks after surgery repaired damaged muscle near his right shoulder, third baseman Troy Glaus is not close …

Reports: Griffey to sign with Atlanta, not Seattle  —  Ken Griffey Jr. has decided to play for the Atlanta Braves, a person close to the veteran outfielder and familiar with the negotiations told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  The Seattle Times later also reported that Griffey had chosen the Braves over the Mariners.

Rays add 2B Adam Kennedy to spring roster  —  2B Adam Kennedy was added to the Rays spring roster on a minor-league contract.  —  Kennedy, 33, was released last week by the Cardinals, for whom he hit .280 in 115 games last season following a horrible .217 in 87 games the year before.

Dodgers are in a mound of trouble with starting rotation  —  They should have held on to Brad Penny, as this year their choice for opening day starter is a guy coming off a broken leg or another coming off a sore shoulder.  —  T.J. Simers  —  I'm hoping Manny is spending this extra time …

Stokes' hammy pops pen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Brian Stokes became the first notable casualty of the spring, when the 29-year-old righthander injured his right hamstring, leaving him unable to work off a mound.  “It didn't pop or anything,” Stokes said, downplaying the severity.

BELTRAN AIM: ‘KILL’ HAMELS  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Carlos Beltran drew a bull's-eye on Cole Hamels yesterday.  —  Adding yet more fuel to the ongoing war of words between the Mets and Phillies, the Met center fielder said he hopes the Amazin's “kill” the Philadelphia ace every time they face Hamels this season.

Shea demolition update  —  Shea will be gone, but not completely forgotten.  COO Jeff Wilpon said that home plate, the pitchers mound and the bases will be immortalized in the parking lot, which Shea's hallowed ground will hopefully become by April.  —  So good news — you can still do the DynaMets Dash.

Giles doesn't expect personal issues to be a distraction for him or the team  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Brian Giles, who is embroiled in a public dispute with a former girlfriend, reported to Padres camp Tuesday and said his legal issues will not be a distraction to either him or the Padres this season.

O's closing in on extension with Roberts  —  Sources: Club nearing 4-year deal with 2-time All-Star second baseman  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It appears that Brian Roberts, nearly traded on at least two different occasions during his Orioles tenure, will be staying put in Baltimore for several more seasons.

Tuesday's Texas Rangers notebook: Cordero audition  —  My favorite memory: Eddie Guardado  —  Eddie Guardado is the second-oldest player in camp at 38.  Guardado went way back to find his best baseball memory, and it came from his senior year of high school at Franklin High in Stockton …

BRAVES SIGN KELLY JOHNSON  —  The Braves signed Kelly Johnson to a one-year, $2.825 million contract, avoiding arbitration, the Post has learned.  —  Johnson had asked for $3.3 million in arbitration and the Braves had countered at $2.35 million.  —  Johnson also can make $50,000 for each of 620 and 670 plate appearances.

Arizona Diamondbacks, Conor Jackson agree on one-year contract  —  PHOENIX — Conor Jackson avoided a salary arbitration hearing with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract worth $3.05 million.  —  The 26-year-old infielder and outfielder hit .300 with 12 homers and 75 RBIs in 144 games last year.

Chicago Cubs buyer selling 34 million shares of TD Ameritrade to finance deal  —  OMAHA, Neb. — The family of TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts will sell 34 million of its shares in the online brokerage back to the company to help finance the family's bid to buy the Chicago Cubs.

What you're missing  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Some of the Red Sox' key arms were on display this morning as Tim Wakefield, Justin Masterson, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett all threw off the bullpen mounds.  —  Check out the video above for a glimpse of the action.