Rodriguez May Opt for Surgery Sooner  —  TAMPA, Fla. — One day after the Yankees indicated that Alex Rodriguez would try to play the 2009 season with a torn labrum in his right hip, the tone of their outlook shifted unmistakably toward the more grim possibility of surgery sooner rather than later.

Bernie Williams: A-Rod injury could be ‘blessing in disguise’  —  SAN JUAN - Bernie Williams certainly knows about playing amid distractions after his 16 seasons on George Steinbrenner's Yankees, including the three years he was Alex Rodriguez's teammate.  —  There was A-Rod's infamous …

Another lefty off board, Sisco signs with Oakland  —  And then there were two.  —  Joe Beimel and Wil Ohman remain available among left-handed relievers as Oakland signed Andy Sisco to a $550,000 minor-league deal.  The Rockies had interest in Beimel, but their offers were never considered serious by his agent.

INCONSISTENT DUANER MAY BE A GONER  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Duaner Sanchez might not have much longer to prove himself to the Mets.  —  If the Mets release the right-handed reliever by April 1, they would save three-fourths of his $1.6875 million contract, and yesterday, manager Jerry Manuel …

CC comes up aces in first start  —  TAMPA - CC Sabathia was as good as advertised Friday night, giving the Yankees their first look at his $161 million left arm.  —  Sabathia allowed one unearned run in two innings against the Tigers, giving up two hits and striking out two.

Obama to throw Nats' first pitch  —  The Washington Nationals should draw a healthy crowd to their home opener with the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies in town.  But just in case that's not enough, the Nationals have an even bigger guest lined up.

Sweeney finished playing, joins Dodgers' staff  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Mark Sweeney, whose 175 pinch hits rank second in major league history, announced his retirement Friday and joined manager Joe Torre's coaching staff with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  —  Only Lenny Harris had more pinch-hits …

Commish defends role steroids scandal again  —  PHOENIX (AP) — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig again defended his role in the sport's steroids scandal Friday, pointing to the players' union opposition to drug testing and a lack of curiosity by the media as the problem started to grow.

Yankees' Levine blasts Brodsky at hearing on stadium deal  —  Yankees president Randy Levine tossed a brushback pitch at Assemb.  Richard Brodsky during a hearing Friday in Manhattan on the financing deal that is helping the Yankees build their new stadium in the Bronx.

Brewers monitoring outfield market  —  With Gwynn ailing, Milwaukee may be in need of reserve  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Tony Gwynn Jr.'s lingering shoulder woes are prompting the Brewers to keep an eye on the free-agent market for outfielders.  —  “I would say very, very casually that we're keeping …