I dated A-Rod, claims former madam  —  A former Manhattan madam who supplied Eliot Spitzer with hookers also counted Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez as a customer - and found him so charming she dated him herself for free, former employees of the call-girl agency tell the Daily News.

Andruw assumes lesser role to stay  —  Told he can't play every day, outfielder opts to remain with Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Andruw Jones is likely to remain with the Rangers through the end of Spring Training and possibly into the regular season.

Manuel plans to bat Murphy second in Mets' order  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Daniel Murphy recently took some ribbing from teammates after adding his few-year-old Honda Civic to a sign-up sheet for transport to New York.  After all, the car stood out on a list that included new Mercedes, BMWs and Cadillac Escalades.

Mutual respect between US and Japan  —  Semifinal matchup features two nations with storied baseball history  —  When the U.S. meets Japan on Sunday night, a bow of mutual respect is in order before the hardball starts flying and the bats start swinging.  —  With the two powerful baseball …

Ozzie Guillen's muses include advising Obama  —  Buzz up!  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. - President Barack Obama's apology for his Special Olympics crack to Jay Leno while lampooning his bowling skills may not be enough to satisfy Gov. Sarah Palin, who ripped Obama for a “degrading remark.”

Busting the Bank: Top Seats at New Yankee Stadium Will Run as High as $2,625  —  Attending games during the inaugural season at the new Yankee Stadium will be decidedly elitist as the club today released single game prices for tickets that go on sale Tuesday.

Igawa auditioning for return to Majors  —  Spring work with Yankees drawing interest from other teams  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Investing $46 million in Kei Igawa was a mistake.  It is a statement that Brian Cashman confirms without hesitation, carrying an indelible mark on his resume as the Yankees' general manager.

More Sox moving down  —  The Red Sox made another significant round of cuts this morning, sending down four players, including Junichi Tazawa and Michael Bowden.  Tazawa, who, as expected, will start the year in Double A Portland, had a sterling camp with the Red Sox.

Maddon: Upton likely to miss at least first week  —  UPDATE, 11:40: Manager Joe Maddon went along with that assessment and even a bit further, saying it it is all but official that Upton won't be ready for opening day.  “I doubt that,” Maddon said.  “I would say no.”

Glavine throws it back at Pedro  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Tom Glavine already is a bargain, so the Braves probably felt as if they got more than their money's worth in yesterday's 12-1 rout of the B-list Mets sent north to Disney.  Glavine, who barely broke 80 mph, retired nine of the 11 batters he faced.

Rox pregame: Tulo, Hawpe sit out Indians game  —  Tucson - They're wounded, but at least they're walking.  —  Three key Rockies - third baseman Garrett Atkins, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and right fielder Brad Hawpe - won't play against the Indians today.  —  Tulowitzki, whose back stiffened …

Pitching surplus gives Braves trade bait  —  Josh Anderson, Prado also could be moved  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — A surplus of pitching is starting to bubble up in Braves camp.  —  Javier Vazquez and Jorge Campillo are back from the World Baseball Classic, and Tom Glavine pitched his first spring training game Saturday.

Trade to A's was best thing for Holliday  —  Matt Holliday's new Oakland teammates speak in reverential tones about his work ethic and his modesty.  One general manager, who has known him since he signed, says, “Matt has to be one of the 10 best players in the game.”