Boras' rejection of Ramirez offer riles Dodgers  —  At 8:30 p.m. tonight, the Dodgers made the rather unusual move of issuing a statement that shows their exasperation with Manny Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras: … It's interesting to note that the Dodgers aim their venom at Boras, even though ostensibly Boras is working for Ramirez.

Yankees ban A-Rod's cousin from team facilities  —  BY MICHAEL O'KEEFFE IN NEW YORK AND MARK FEINSAND IN TAMPA  —  Yankee officials have told Alex Rodriguez that Yuri Sucart, believed to be the cousin who injected Major League Baseball's biggest star with steroids, is no longer welcome at team facilities or hotels.

“They're Just Making Bowden Endure As Much Pain As Possible”  —  Here's the story Barry and I double-teamed for Friday's fishwrap edition.  —  The Washington Nationals on Thursday abandoned the training facility they once boasted of here and officially fired José Rijo …

Believe It: A New Cap for Yankees  —  It's not every day that you see an e-mail message with the subject “New Yankees Cap.”  The navy blue cap with the white interlocking “NY” is a classic.  Why would it be changed?  —  Merchandising, of course.  The Yankees plan to wear a sleeve patch …

Newsday to charge for website, online cable service  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Cablevision Systems Corp plans to charge online readers of its Newsday newspaper, a move that would make it one of the first large U.S. papers to reverse a trend toward free Web readership.

Yankees, Bank of America end sponsorship talks  —  NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Bank of America ended months of negotiations on a long-term, high-profile sponsorship agreement, fallout from the financial industry's decision to accept aid from the federal government.

FINAL Pirates 3, Red Sox 2  —  SOX GO GOWN (3:52, END 9, 3-2 PIRATES)  —  Chris Carter and Josh Reddick flew out, followed by a Carlos Maldonado walk.  Anderson came up with a chance to be a hero.  George Kottaras pinch ran for Maldonado.  Anderson struck out looking at a pitch that may have been a bit inside.

PIAZZA RUMORS THE TROUBLE WITH ERA  —  JUPITER, Fla. - This is part of the Steroid Era, too, now.  A back field at Roger Dean Stadium.  A conversation with Mike Piazza.  —  I can act like Piazza was not encased in suspicion when he played.  But that would be dishonest.  It was talked about.

Manuel's postgame remarks  —  Jerry Manuel acknowledged his spring-training use of Jose Reyes in the No. 3 hole may be just an exercise and that Reyes hits leadoff when the season begins.  —  “That's very possible,” Manuel said.  “Whatever we feel will fit to win.  All we're doing is creating options.”

Waiting for a call, Hughes prepares  —  Unlike last season, righty forced to earn spot in Yankees' rotation  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The fanfare has died down from last spring, when the Yankees were banking that Phil Hughes would step up as the youngest pitcher in the Majors and handle the American League with aplomb.