Alex Rodriguez homers in spring debut for New York Yankees … DUNEDIN, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez was booed, then homered in his first game since admitting he used a banned substance.  —  The New York Yankees slugger started the spring training season with a two-run home run and two walks Wednesday at the Toronto Blue Jays' ballpark.

Washington Nationals 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 American …

Nats strongly considering change  —  The Nationals, according to multiple industry sources, are strongly considering firing general manager Jim Bowden and replacing him with Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava.  —  Bowden has been implicated in a bonus skimming scandal in the Dominican Republic …

3 UP: Sanchez, Met Pen, Cabrera  —  1. The Mets like that Duaner Sanchez came to camp in good shape, which has not always been the case in his Met days.  If Sanchez is right, the Mets will not feel big pressure to put a second lefty reliever in the pen in tandem with Pedro Feliciano.

Heckled A-Rod homers in opener  —  Alex Rodriguez hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning Wednesday ...  DUNEDIN, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez's first road game wasn't quite the rip-fest some had predicted, but the controversial third baseman heard his share of jeers at Dunedin Park.

One down . . .  FT. MYERS, Fla. — The seriousness of the game was decided when Ino Guerrero — a 48-year-old batting practice pitcher — pinch hit during the latter innings.  But that's beside the point: the Red Sox are now playing baseball games again.  —  The Sox beat Boston College …

MLB scraps printed versions of team media guides  —  NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has eliminated an annual tradition: printed copies of the green and red books.  —  The guides to the National and American leagues started publication in the 1930s and have been an invaluable research tool for media.

Will Joba Start the Home Opener?  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. - If the ballpark has banners for Lloyd Moseby, Tom Henke and Aaron Hill (yes, Aaron Hill), we must be at the spring home of the Toronto Blue Jays.  It's opening day of the exhibition schedule, but the matchup is not Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia.

Phils tease Rollins; Amaro in market  —  Shortstop ribbed for late arrival; GM following free agents  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — The Phillies broke into some lighthearted applause during their pregame stretch Wednesday morning at McKechnie Field.  —  Jimmy Rollins arrived to the ballpark a few minutes late …

Feierabend having elbow surgery  —  Don't forget to tune in to Geoff Baker Live! coming up at 10 a.m. It's the show where you just never know who will drop on by.  —  File this one under the “uh-oh!” category as the Mariners revealed moments ago that left handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend will undergo elbow surgery.

NO BOOK BURNING BUT NO PRINTING EITHER  —  If this is too much inside baseball, I apologize, but I am too devastated and outraged to write anything else at the moment.  Major League Baseball, which can't kill steroids, has killed the Red Book and the Green Book.  —  Baseball officials would say the books died of atrophy.

Poll Finds Limited Support for Rodriguez  —  Sixty percent of baseball fans are bothered by players' steroid use, and 44 percent say Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez should not be allowed in the Hall of Fame, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll.  —  “I have nothing personally …

Spring scenes: Reds outfielder goes behind the camera  —  Throughout spring training, USA TODAY will provide a glimpse at the unguarded, unscripted moments of spring training through the eyes of Major League Baseball players.  We have provided handheld video cameras to multiple players, who will capture the untold stories of spring.

Economy won't deter Angels' efforts, Arte Moreno says  —  The reigning American League West champs hope to keep filling the seats despite the economic downturn.  Putting a competitive team on the field and catering to longtime fans are among the keys.  —  Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. …

Piazza coaching for Italy in Classic  —  Former All-Star catcher doing his part to help program grow  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Retired after a standout playing career, Mike Piazza is now serving as a coach and an ambassador for baseball in the World Baseball Classic.

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 …

Bonser's injury was worse than expected; season likely over UPDATED  —  Doctors today found a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in Boof Bonser's right shoulder, leading to more extensive repairs than what was first thought.  —  Bonser is out at least six months, but probably the whole season.

The World Baseball Classic  —  The first pitch of the World Baseball Classic is a week away.  Rosters were announced Tuesday afternoon, making the whole thing a bit more real.  We can now take a look at the players who will be on the field playing for their countries in March and get a sense …