Rodney slowed by tendinitis  —  Tigers setup man to rest until at least next week  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers manager Jim Leyland wasn't overly concerned last week when setup man Fernando Rodney had to slow his throwing program with soreness in his right shoulder.

Congress seeks DOJ probe of Clemens' testimony  —  WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens' denial of steroid use warrants further investigation, Congress said Wednesday in asking the Justice Department to determine whether the star pitcher lied under oath in testimony to a House committee.

Cards cut ties with Spiezio  —  Arrest warrant issued in California over December incident  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Just hours after news circulated that a warrant has been issued in Orange County, Calif., for the arrest of Scott Spiezio, the Cardinals released the utility man.

Nats play to tie with Marlins in opener  —  Milledge scores two runs in start of Graprefruit League slate  —  MARLINS 3, NATIONALS 3  —  Marlins at the plate: Mike Jacobs blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning off Rob Bell.  Alfredo Amezaga, who singled to open the inning, also scored on the shot to right field.

Sox meet the president  —  Members of the 2007 World Series champion Red Sox gathered on the White House lawn this afternoon and were honored by President George W. Bush (Check out photos).  —  Slugger David Ortiz, an odd sight in eyeglasses, carried the World Series trophy into the ceremony.

Softballs for Pettitte; Beanballs for Clemens  —  When are journalists (and baseball) going to ask Andy tougher questions?  —  Andy Pettitte's February 18 press conference was an afternoon of softball questions from a friendly home-crowd press.  Sample: “If you had to do it all over again …

Alvarez Out Indefinitely With Broken Bone In Hand  —  Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez, a two-time first-team All-American and the No. 1 prospect for the 2008 draft, will miss a minimum of six weeks after breaking a bone in his hand in Vandy's season opener against Oregon State on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers  —  Stan Conte came in to improve the injury situation for the Dodgers.  The idea may be that Stan's a miracle worker, having held together much of the Giants' successful years with little more than athletic tape and hard work, but rebuilding what was once a proud, cutting-edge system takes longer than a year.

DeRosa Update  —  MESA, Ariz.- Mark DeRosa will undergo a surgical procedure on Thursday to stop the irregular heartbeat that's been affecting him on and off since his teen-age years.  —  Cubs physician Stephen Adams said DeRosa will have an EPS (electrophysiology study) …

Coaches don helmets, but some unhappy with rule  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Glenn Hubbard trotted on the field Wednesday wearing a helmet — and feeling downright ridiculous.  —  “You know what it feels like?” he asked before a spring training game.  “Look at that kid over there.”

Kazmir: I'll be ready by Opening Day  —  Scott Kazmir said today that he “definitely” plans to make his expected start Opening Day at Baltimore despite the strained left elbow he suffered yesterday.  —  “That's what we're shooting for,” he said.  —  Asked if the medical staff had discouraged …

Tickets on sale Friday  —  Individual tickets for regular season home games will go on sale Friday, Feb. 29, online only at www.yankees.com.  —  Beginning Monday, March 3, tickets may be purchased at Yankee Stadium advance ticket windows, at area Ticketmaster outlets, via Ticketmaster by phone at …

Tigers' bullpen stellar in opener  —  Grilli, Miner toss two shutout innings each in comeback win  —  TIGERS 4, METS 2  —  Mets at the plate: Back-to-back singles and a walk in the opening inning set up Ramon Castro's sacrifice fly to score Angel Pagan.  Anderson Machado tripled in Michael Abreu an inning later.