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.

MRIs for Cano, Marte pushed back  —  Examinations moved to Monday; Cashman updates A-Rod's status  —  TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have pushed back the scheduled MRIs for Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte, with both players now expected to have the examinations on Monday.

Source: 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, a source told ESPN's Steve Phillips on Monday.  —  Rodriguez  —  Rodriguez can make an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses.

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).

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Gary Matthews Jr. wants more playing time with the Angels  —  'My goal is to play every day. . . . I don't intend to sit around and play a couple times a week like last year,' the outfielder says.  —  Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. — Gary Matthews Jr., who ranks no higher than fifth …

Mets' Evans making Manuel rethink trip to minors  —  JUPITER, Fla. - One day after saying he thought Nick Evans would be better off playing every day in Triple-A instead of sitting on the major-league bench, manager Jerry Manuel said Evans' strong showing in spring training might force the Mets to reconsider that.

Hoffpauir among 25; Lou stumps for a 26th  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — Cubs manager Lou Piniella made a plea Sunday that is certain to fall on deaf ears.  —  “I was telling our general manager the other day, ‘We need a 26-man roster.  Then we would be covered in all areas,”’ Piniella said.  “He started to laugh.