Rose admits to betting on Reds every night  —  Pete Rose revealed Wednesday that he bet on the Reds "every night" while he was manager of the team and that the Dowd Report was correct when it said he did so.  —  Rose spoke Wednesday with Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann on ESPN Radio to discuss …

Rodriguez Tells Fans to Embrace Him, or Else  —  Alex Rodriguez tries to insist that he wants to remain in New York.  But an option in his contract allows him to become a free agent after this season, and in a radio interview Tuesday, he threatened to invoke the option if the fans did not embrace him.

Notes: Encarnacion headed for DL  —  Schumaker progressing well; Reyes works his sinker  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Days after Juan Encarnacion acknowledged that he won't rush anything in order to be ready for Opening Day, his manager put it more forcefully.  Encarnacion is likely to be on the disabled list …

Dodgers release Tatis, make Billingsley reliever  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers released third baseman Fernando Tatis on Wednesday — three days after he failed to report to their minor league camp.  —  The Dodgers reassigned Tatis on Sunday in the club's first round of roster cuts.

Prior's number appears to be up  —  Miller, Guzman likely battling for last spot in Cubs' rotation  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — A wide-open derby for the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation now appears to be a two-man race between veteran Wade Miller and youngster Angel Guzman after two key decisions …

Table setters lack fame but spark runs  —  Indispensable pests find ways on base without elite power  —  Thirty years ago, Neil Young musically reminded us that "Rust Never Sleeps," and the baseball cognoscenti's spin on that is, "Speed Never Slumps."  —  In a game that celebrates and dotes …

Clement playing with more confidence  —  Mariners catching prospect has had to overcome injuries  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Jeff Clement experienced adversity last year for the first time since putting on a mask and chest protector as a kid, and came away from it with a lot more confidence.  —  Say what?

Mariners show off their acting chops  —  Club to unveil new ad campaign during first televised game  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — Reserve catcher Rene Rivera has been a Spring Training fixture in the Mariners clubhouse since 2003 and never had a chance to show off his acting skills.  —  But that all changed a few weeks ago.

Statement from Gary Matthews Jr.  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Gary Matthews Jr. released the following statement Wednesday morning:  —  At the outset of spring training, my name was linked in the press with reports involving an investigation of unlawful trafficking in Human Growth hormone dating back to 2004.

Podsednik makes triumphant return  —  Recovering speedster goes 3-for-4, steals a base in 'B' game  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — A small ovation began behind the backstop at one of the Kino Sports Complex Minor League fields early Wednesday morning as Scott Podsednik stepped to the plate for his first at-bat this spring.

Ayala likely headed to disabled list  —  Reliever not 100 percent; team doesn't want to rush him back  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Nationals are leaning toward putting reliever Luis Ayala on the disabled list when the 2007 season starts.  The team feels the right-hander is not 100 percent and doesn't want to rush him on the field.

Bull[pen review  —  This Rangers bullpen situation is getting interesting.  Remember, the Rangers think that, in the words of general manager Jon Daniels, their bullpen could be a "competitive advantage."  —  Scott Feldman: Throwing well right now.  Overlooked by many but pushing hard for a job in the bullpen.

Benitez draws Mariners' interest  —  Reliever Armando Benitez, who is reportedly available in a trade from San Francisco. drew a huge crowd of scouts when he pitched for the Giants Tuesday night against Oakland.  —  Two of the estimated 40 scouts on hand — night games always draw lots of scouts …

Owings overcomes average stuff  —  Righty's intangibles, perseverance leads him to success  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — 10-0.  —  It doesn't matter whether you're pitching in Little League, college or at the highest level of baseball, 10-0 is an impressive record no matter how you look at it.

Interview with Mets Prospect Ritchie Price  —  Ritchie Price was drafted by the 18th round for the New York Mets in 2006 out of the University of Kansas.  Ritchie, who played with his brother on the team which was coached by his father, led the Jayhawks to the Big XII tournament win last season.

Rockies move Buchholz into bullpen  —  A starter with Astros, right-hander ready to adjust to new role  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — All along, Rockies right-hander Taylor Buchholz craved certainty more than a spot in the starting rotation.  Buchholz pitched the final two innings of Tuesday afternoon's 5-5 …