Roberts admits he used steroids  —  Orioles second baseman says he took drugs only once, in 2003  —  Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts (Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / May 11, 2005)  —  Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts admitted last night that he used steroids "once," in 2003 …

Reports: Woman seeks protective order vs. Dukes  —  Elijah Dukes, whom the Washington Nationals obtained this month in the hopes that he could overcome his legal and behavioral problems, is reportedly facing more trouble in Florida.  —  A Tampa-area woman has been granted a temporary injunction …

Mailbag: Will Mitchell Report hurt?  —  MLB.com's Ladson answers fans' Nationals questions … I read the Mitchell Report and saw the sections on Paul Lo Duca.  Are the Nationals going to do anything to address that issue with him?  —  Entering Monday, we have not heard from the Nationals …

Report: Astros make offer to injury-plagued Prior  —  It looks like Mark Prior won't be on the market for very long.  —  Cut loose by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, Prior received an offer from the Houston Astros on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Bombers release 2008 schedule  —  Dates announced for final season at current Yankee Stadium  —  NEW YORK — The dates for the final regular-season games at the current Yankee Stadium are now set, as the Yankees officially released their 2008 schedule on Monday.

As usual, A-Rod is only about A-Wad  —  At one point during her "60 Minutes" interview with Alex Rodriguez, Katie Couric asked the Yankees' third baseman if "he's worth" the huge salary Hankenstein & Co. are paying him.  —  A-Rod should have answered thusly: "Katie, considering the lousy ratings …

Time seems on Sox' side with Santana  —  These things, you surely understand, can take time.  And it may be no different with Johan Santana.  —  The Red Sox contested the Yankees for Jose Contreras right up until Christmas Eve, 2002, before Theo Epstein, then the Sox' assistant general manager …

Pirates hope to catch Estrada  —  Olivo, Miller also on team's list of free-agent inquiries  —  The Pirates' search for a catcher to push or supplant Ronny Paulino has added another prominent name: Johnny Estrada.  —  They are one of three teams seriously bidding for his services through free agency …

Javy Lopez rejoins Braves  —  Former fan favorite signed to minor league contract  —  Javy Lopez is back with the Braves.  —  The Braves signed their popular former catcher to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, where the 37-year-old will try to win a job backing up catcher Brian McCann.

Rivera finalizes three-year pact  —  NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera's wish to finish his career in Yankees pinstripes, the only uniform he has worn in the big leagues, is on its way to coming true.  —  Rivera and the club formally finalized a three-year, $45 million agreement on Monday.

Seattle Mariners raising ticket prices  —  If you're thinking of filling those Christmas stockings with Seattle Mariners tickets for the baseball nut in your life, be prepared to take a hit in the wallet.  —  The Mariners have tried to spend big this offseason, without success.

New York Yankees to begin final season at Yankee Stadium on March 31  —  Yankees host Toronto Blue Jays in season opener  —  The 26-time-World Champion New York Yankees will begin the 2008 season — the 106th in franchise history and their last in the current Yankee Stadium — at home on Monday …