Sources: Boras asked Dodgers to increase offer to $55 million  —  And that, according to two well-placed sources with knowledge of the situation, is where the whole thing broke down.  This sources also said Boras never openly objected to any proposal by the Dodgers of deferred money …

Start of Barry Bonds' perjury trial faces lengthy postponement  —  SAN FRANCISCO — And so the Barry Bonds saga rages on.  With little end in sight.  —  What once seemed like closure on the horizon — a perjury trial for baseball's home run king set to begin Monday, nearly six years …

A-Rod, MLB officials to meet Sunday  —  Slugger reportedly to be asked about use of PEDs, links to trainer  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez will meet with Major League Baseball officials in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday to discuss his past use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to a report published on ESPN.com.

St. Louis Cardinals Rick Ankiel works on batting behind Albert Pujols  —  February 22, 2009 - Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel takes batting practice during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D)  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Hal McRae understands.

St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter takes mound Saturday  —  February 21, 2009 — Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter throws a pitchout after throwing live batting practice as pitching coach Dave Duncan watches during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D)

Bale's blood work shows irregularities  —  Pitcher returns to KC for evaluation; Guillen progressing nicely  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Royals pitcher John Bale has returned to Kansas City for tests on his thyroid after irregularities were noted in blood work during a physical examination.

Phillies release starting pitcher Eaton  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies today released starting pitcher Adam Eaton, who is the final year of a three-year, $24.5 million contract.  The Phillies will have to pay him approximately $8.6 million this season.

Percival on mend, eyes mound date  —  Rays closer feels ‘great,’ says he could pitch in a game right now  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — If anybody understands it's not how you open, it's how you close, Troy Percival is the guy.  —  After 13 Major League seasons, Percival knows the drill.

Santana pushed back again; Mets lose, 9-8  —  Here's some news and notes in the wake of the Mets' 9-8 loss to the Cardinals today at Tradition Field.  — Johan Santana already had been scratched from today's start against Italy because of tightness in his left elbow and now it appears …

Villone signed to minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have signed former Yankees left-handed reliever Ron Villone to a minor-league contract.  Villone, 39, pitched for the Bombers from 2006-07 before going 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 74 games with the Cardinals last season.

Padres sign 29 to one-year contracts  —  Kouzmanoff among those to ink deals, will make nearly $440,000  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Padres took care of a little financial business on Friday when they signed 29 players to contracts for the 2009 season.  —  The pitchers who agreed to one-year deals …

Frozen by fraud, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Darren Oliver feels for others  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Pitcher Darren Oliver made a wise professional decision this winter when he accepted a salary arbitration offer from the Los Angeles Angels and parlayed it into a one-year, $3.665 million contract amid a weak market for free agents.