Santana's elbow linked to WBC?  —  After this morning's bullpen session, Johan Santana suggested that his elbow tightness may have resulted from his push to get ready for the World Baseball Classic.  Santana admitted that he had to hurry coming off knee surgery and it wasn't until he was dropped …

Orioles sign Eaton (updated)  —  The Orioles have signed pitcher Adam Eaton to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  —  I guess they actually do have plans to add another starting pitcher.  —  The Phillies released Eaton, 31, two days ago.

Manny willing to ‘compromise’ with Dodgers  —  Manny Ramirez is speaking out, and he's willing to “compromise” and accept deferred payments in a contract to re-sign with the Dodgers, agent Scott Boras said in a statement Sunday.  —  Boras said Ramirez directed him to make the Dodgers a third …

Yanks' offense runs on all cylinders  —  Bombers post more hits than Reds, but pitching has tough day  —  REDS 13, YANKEES 11  —  Yankees at the plate: New York had 14 hits through the first five innings.  Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.

Bowden Resigns as General Manager of Nationals  —  Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden resigned this morning, saying he felt he had become a distraction to the club.  —  The Nationals did not immediately name a successor or an interim GM.  —  “It is an emotional decision that saddens me …

Yankees lose by a safety, 13-11  —  On a windy day in Sarasota, the Yankee lost 13-11.  There were eight home runs, maybe more.  I stopped keeping score when we went to the clubhouse.  The Reds scored in every inning but the second.  —  Two injury updates:

Albaladejo, Montero leave with injuries  —  Batted ball hits righty in left calf; right groin hobbles catcher  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero left Sunday's Grapefruit League exhibition against the Reds after suffering a strained right groin.

A-Rod meets with MLB investigators for 2 hours … SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez has met with Major League Baseball officials, who sought to interview the New York Yankees slugger about his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 with Texas.

Orioles did due diligence with Roberts  —  Statistical analysis, historical trends played into contract offer  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — You can never do enough due diligence.  A year ago, when the Orioles began pondering a contract extension for second baseman Brian Roberts …

Due up next: WBC  —  Players leave camp, ready to represent  —  FORT MYERS - Five days after Grapefruit League play began, the Red Sox [team stats] yesterday lost four everyday position players for a period of up to three weeks.  —  Starting today, they will be without the following …

Royals secure another veteran arm  —  Day after Cruz comes aboard, KC lands left-hander Chen with Minors deal  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — The Royals didn't stop when they signed Juan Cruz.  On Sunday, they announced they signed veteran left-hander Bruce Chen to a Minor League contract.

Phillips doesn't believe in OBP  —  From Fay: … Brandon Phillips has led the Reds in outs for each of the last two seasons, this even while he missed the last 3 weeks of the season last year.  He is a very good player right now, but he would be an incredible player if he learned to not swing …

Wandy to miss at least two starts  —  Astros to exercise caution with lefty's strained back muscle  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Wandy Rodriguez will miss at least two starts while nursing a strained intercostal muscle on his left side, manager Cecil Cooper said Sunday morning.

Sign-and-trade coming to baseball?  —  Could this be the year that the sign-and-trade comes to fruition in Major League Baseball?  Possibly.  That's one way a team like the Toronto Blue Jays that doesn't want to give up a draft pick to land a free agent can still do business in this market.