With K-Rod to rescue, Venezuela gets to group finals  —  MIAMI — In his record-setting season last year, Francisco Rodriguez never pitched more than one inning.  Monday, Rodriguez not only entered the game in the eighth inning, but in the middle of an at-bat as well.

Madden: If Marte stumbles, Coke may be it  —  TAMPA - The MRIs on the Yankees' two wounded escapees from the World Baseball Classic turned up nothing serious Monday, which, at least until further notice, must be considered good news.  Robinson Cano has bursitis in his right shoulder …

Delays don't bother effective Price  —  Lefty waits out long half-innings, showcases improving changeup  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — David Price made his second appearance of the spring Monday, and the walks nearly killed him — only they weren't his walks.  —  After entering the game to pitch …

Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford is determined to put his career back on track  —  PORT CHARLOTTE — Tucked in the back of one of his new books, Bill James contemplates the odds of baseball immortality.  He considers the recent production and age of today's best players, then calculates their chances of reaching 3,000 hits.

More injuries on Coke slide at AT&T Park  —  SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — There is another lawsuit because of a serious injury on the Coca-Cola slide at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  Several people have been hurt on the slide and with the Giants home opener just a few weeks away, there is the potential for more injuries.

Is the 2009 Reds opening day outfield worse than last year's?  —  The Reds are a faster team this year, most notably in the outfield where they might open the year with Dickerson/Taveras/Bruce after beginning last season with Dunn/Patterson/Griffey.  Offensively, the latter combination is better than we we have this season.

Cards look at candidates to protect Pujols at plate  —  LAKELAND, FLA. — If hitting ahead of Albert Pujols in the Cardinals' order has become the cure for whatever ails a batter, then hitting behind the reigning MVP seems to cause those kinds of troubles.  —  Manager Tony La Russa …

The Branch Rickey Pirates (Part 2: 1950-1951)  —  As we recall from last time, Branch Rickey was hired as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in November 1950.  We summarized the state of the ball club he inherited, both at the level of the big league roster and in the minor leagues.

New York Mets name Julio Franco minor-league manager  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Julio Franco is back with the Mets.  —  Except this time, he isn't trying to extend his playing career.  He's starting a new one.  —  The team named Franco manager of the rookie-league Gulf Coast Mets on Monday …

No debate on starting Joba  —  TAMPA - The debate rages on, though mostly among television talking heads or on sports talk radio.  Should Joba Chamberlain be a starter or a reliever?  —  Some believe Chamberlain's highest value is as the eighth-inning bridge to Mariano Rivera …

Hamels speaks  —  Breaking news from Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.:  —  Cole Hamels will leave Clearwater tonight for the Philadelphia area to have his left elbow examined tomorrow by team doctor Michael Ciccotti.  Amaro said that Hamels' had complained of “a little bit of a persistent soreness” in the elbow.

IIATMS Exclusive: 20 Questions with Jeff Pearlman  —  A few weeks ago, I learned that author Jeff Pearlman was finishing a book about Roger Clemens, deftly titled “The Rocket That Fell to Earth: Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball Immortality”.  I emailed Jeff, requesting an interview via a 20 questions email.

Looper survives successful scrimmage  —  Brewers righty hit by line drive, but on track for home opener  —  PHOENIX — The Brewers' official report on Braden Looper's appearance in a Minor League intrasquad scrimmage was short and sweet.  —  It read: “Two innings, 30 pitches, no issues.”

I'M SUCH A PRETTY BOY!  —  A-ROD MADLY IN LOVE WITH HIS MIRROR  —  Nothing gets between A-Rod and his mirror!  —  Troubled slugger Alex Rodriguez gets up close and personal - with himself - in a one-man love affair photographed and published in the upcoming Details magazine.

New stadiums for the Yankees and the Mets.  —  The Mets' new home echoes the famous entrance of the Dodgers' Ebbets Field.  The new Yankee Stadium's grandiosity is tempered by the energy of its urban setting.  —  KEYWORDS … In 1921, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, the co-owner of the New York Yankees …