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.

Sox lock up Floyd; trade Stewart  —  PHOENIX _ And the trade is...catcher Chris Stewart to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.  —  How is that for a blockbuster?  —  There was a major announcement though _ the White Sox and starting pitcher Gavin Floyd agreed to a four-year, $15.5 million contract extension.

Taschner thinks trade is possible  —  Giants left-hander feels good physically, but results haven't come  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This time, Jack Taschner believes the trade rumors involving him.  —  Taschner said Sunday that he doubted speculation that arose before the Trade Deadline last July 31.

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 …

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Bard, McAnulty sent down  —  Daniel Bard and Paul McAnulty were reassigned to the Red Sox minor league camp after today's 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.  Bard struck out 11 in 9 1/3 scoreless innings this camp, but he might have made his biggest impression when he fired a 100-m.p.h. fastball.

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.”