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.

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.

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 …

Posada cuts down three baserunners  —  Yanks catcher shows surgically repaired shoulder is in good shape  —  TAMPA, Fla. — In the surest sign yet that Jorge Posada's surgically repaired right shoulder will be prepared for Opening Day, the Yankees catcher unloaded strong throws to cut down three baserunners on Sunday.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

Randy Wolf does it all in Dodgers win  —  He pitches six scoreless innings and has a two-run double in the second inning of an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — Randy Wolf pitched longer than any Dodger pitcher has pitched this spring, tossing six scoreless innings Sunday …

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.