Ivan Rodriguez agrees to one-year, $1.5 million contract with Houston Astros  —  Catcher Ivan Rodriguez has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Houston Astros.  —  The deal is contingent on Rodriguez taking a physical, the catcher said in an interview Monday on ESPN …

Team USA eliminates punchless Dutch 9-3  —  MIAMI GARDENS - The Dutch were prepared to go out with a fight — literally.  —  Trailing the United States 8-1 in the top of eighth of Sunday's World Baseball Classic elimination game, the Netherlands got its first homer of the tournament.

Good news on Cano and Marte  —  The Yankees got good news on second baseman Robinson Cano and lefthanded reliever Damaso Marte.  —  Both Cano and Marte underwent MRI examinations this morning, and neither is expected to miss significant time.  Cano was diagnosed with right shoulder bursitis and Marte with left shoulder inflammation.

Hamels' elbow to be examined  —  Phillies ace has been experiencing discomfort, tightness  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies are calling the discomfort in Cole Hamels' left elbow nothing more than a little soreness or tightness.  —  But whatever it is, it has been persistent …

Some Thoughts On (And From) Lastings Milledge  —  You can read the paper version of my Milledge-Dukes story here.  The DMTP stuff on this one — especially w/r/t to Milledge — is expansive, so maybe that's a timely fit for all the Milledge-related debate we've seen here in the last day(s).

ROTATION CLOSE AS FIVE YANKS-KETEERS  —  TAMPA - Andy Pettitte warmed up early yesterday afternoon and - as has been the case all spring when the Yankees are at home - he was not alone.  —  On a suggestion from A.J. Burnett before a Feb. 28 game at Steinbrenner Field, the members …

Pedro's most likely landing spot, Manny's next contract and more … JUPITER, Fla. — While the Dodgers may be the most likely landing spot for Cooperstown-bound pitcher Pedro Martinez, the Mets can't quite be ruled out yet.  And though one Mets person said a significant gap remains between …

Yanks get new loan for ballpark  —  The New York Yankees earlier this month borrowed $105 million from a group of banks led by Goldman Sachs to cover final cost overruns at the new Yankee Stadium, sources said.  —  The loan brings the total debt on the stadium, which opens next month, to more than $1.3 billion.

Marlins return Kroenke to Yankees  —  The Marlins did not strike Rule 5 gold again as they opted to return left-hander Zach Kroenke to the Yankees this morning.  —  Kroenke totaled one inning over two Grapefruit League appearances, including one disastrous outing in which he failed to retire any of the seven batters he faced.

Newly signed Braves left-hander serves as paragon for Honduras  —  Batting Around is a series that provides an inside look at Minor League prospects' personalities, quirks and hidden talents as well as their baseball lives via question-and-answer format.  —  During the current World Baseball …

Carlos Hernandez, Talbot, Davis, Beckham sent to minors  —  LHP Carlos Hernandez and RHP Mitch Talbot, two of the candidates for the fifth starter's spot, were among 12 players sent to the minor leagues by the Rays today, reducing the spring roster to 44.  —  Hernandez said he was disappointed …

Roy Halladay surrenders 3 homers in Blue Jays loss  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is so used to watching Roy Halladay pitch well that Monday's rocky start by the right-hander surprised him.  —  Halladay gave up three homers in Toronto's 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox …

Minor League Transactions  —  This installment: March 8-13  —  We're a week or two away from the annual spring purging, where players are released left and right, but this edition of transactions at least brings news of minor league assignments for a handful of top-shelf prospects …