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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Green to be OK after leaving game  —  Mets righty suffers torn fingernail in Grapefruit opener  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sean Green, the Mets' first casualty of the exhibition-game season, expects to miss no time because of a torn fingernail he suffered on Wednesday while pitching …

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 …

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 …

Economy won't deter Angels' efforts, Arte Moreno says  —  The reigning American League West champions 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. …

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.

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.