Washington Nationals to fire special assistant Jose Rijo in wake of prospect age scandal  —  The Washington Nationals have decided to fire special assistant Jose Rijo and will shut down the team's academy in the Dominican Republic as part of a restructuring of the team's operations in Latin America …

Mr. October gives A-Rod a sitdown  —  Yankees legend lends advice to oft-discussed slugger  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — There's nothing like a stern lecture from Mr. October to help a troubled friend focus on the priorities of life and career when enormous distractions are closing in and his reputation is crumbling.

Dodgers make two-year offer to Manny Ramirez  —  The deal calls for $25 million this season and $20 million for the next — providing the slugger chooses to exercise the second-year option.  —  Reporting from Mesa, Ariz. — The Dodgers have made another offer to Manny Ramirez …

On Day 1, Mets, Ryan Church and Luis Castillo Ace Exams  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — One by one, the balls landed on the outfield grass, guided from the Mets' bats to the opposite field by some sort of otherworldly force.  No other explanation could suffice for Jerry Manuel …

Gardner savors unlikely home run  —  Competing outfielder goes deep with young son in attendance  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — A Yankee belted an important home run over the fence on Wednesday at Dunedin Stadium, one that he will never forget.  And it had nothing to do with Alex Rodriguez.

Ozzie Guillen comes alive as manager of Chicago White Sox  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — As sure as the sun rises in the east and Ozzie Guillen rises in a talkative mood, it will happen.  —  At some point this season, Guillen will talk about retiring, going home to Miami and living the good life.

Yankee Stadium bleacher fans will see less, pay less  —  Yankees COO Lonn Trost just said on WFAN that the 600 obstructed view seats in the bleachers of the new Yankee Stadium will be sold for $5 apiece, not $12!  —  Hmm.  This is new, no?  Monday Trost said they cost $12 apiece …

Pedro brings heat in simulated game  —  Free-agent starter preparing to pitch for Dominican team  —  Free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez is staying busy.  —  The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw a simulated game on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic and is on track to start …

Free-agent update: Beimel ‘offering flexibility’  —  Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005.  He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.  —  add this

Prior determined to make it back  —  Former star pitcher continues comeback bid with Padres  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — He can move almost seamlessly from clubhouse to bullpen, unnoticed by those who are busying doing the same.  This suits Mark Prior perfectly fine.

Angels' John Lackey heads impressive list of potential free agents  —  Unheralded Angels ace fronts deep group of walk-year players to watch  —  An under-the-radar ace on a talented, deep team, John Lackey somehow has avoided attention throughout a remarkable big-league career.

Huber could help solve Rochester Red Wings power shortage  —  The Rochester Red Wings might have landed a power-hitting first baseman to replace departed Garrett Jones.  —  The Minnesota Twins have signed 26-year-old Justin Huber as a minor league free agent and his background suggests that he could have a productive 2009 season.