Alex Rodriguez's steroid stain will last forever  —  Yankees Alex Rodriguez stands behind the batting cage while waiting his turn to take batting practice at Steinbrenner Field on Monday.  —  “This is about someone else,” A-Rod kept saying.  —  Yes and no. Federal agents are indeed investigating …

Matthews: I'm natural choice for Mets leadoff spot  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Gary Matthews Jr. felt right at home in the leadoff spot yesterday.  —  If Jerry Manuel's plan of batting Jose Reyes third in the lineup is to succeed, the Mets manager will need either Matthews or Angel Pagan to emerge as a reliable leadoff hitter.

Minor League Transactions  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Signed: C J.R. House, SS Edward Salcedo  —  Released: RHP Rico Reid, 1B Ryohei Shimabukuro  —  The Braves inked Salcedo, 18, to the richest bonus in franchise history ever handed out to an international amateur—$1.6 million.

Baldelli To Serve As Special Assistant For Rays  —  Rocco Baldelli will return to the Rays with a special assistant role, working with minor leaguers and other young players, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.  Baldelli is “not ready to retire,” but has a shoulder issue currently.

Zito wants to return to good old days  —  Left-hander believes he has stuff to reclaim winning status  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barry Zito used to be the main man on the Giants' starting staff.  Despite four years remaining on his seven-year, $126 million contract, he now may be in the No. 3 slot.

The '07 Mitchell Report's effect: Five active players reflect  —  It was, and probably still is, baseball's darkest day this century.  When the Mitchell Report detailing performance-enhancing drug use was released Dec. 13, 2007, old wounds were reopened and new sins exposed.

Can Bonds get back in game?  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Their current situations are not perfect parallels.  But with Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds, it always has been more about intersections.  —  With the steroids era.  With controversy.  And with bat against ball.

SABR Announces Chadwick Award Inaugural Class  —  The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is pleased to announce the inaugural class of recipients of the Henry Chadwick Award, which was established in November 2009 to honor the game's great researchers—historians, statisticians …

Dunn ready to commit  —  VIERA, Fla. — Adam Dunn has spent the last nine years in the major leagues, during which time he has established himself as one of the game's most-consistent sluggers.  Yet he believes he's never produced a full season up to full capability.

Cubs looking for young pitchers to step up  —  MESA, Ariz. — Cubs manager Lou Piniella brought up an intriguing idea Monday afternoon at Fitch Park, suggesting he could put first-round pick Andrew Cashner in the bullpen to start the season.  —  “There are open spots here on our pitching staff,” Piniella said.

Minor leagues ban many maple bats for safety  —  NEW YORK — Many maple bats will be banned in the minor leagues this season, part of Major League Baseball's push to stop shattered shards of wood from flying dangerously through the air.  —  New regulations will prohibit bats made from ultra-light maple.

Leyland's new slogan: Protect the plate  —  Manager looking for club to improve in two-strike situations  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Jim Leyland's new slogan for his Tigers this year didn't make it to the media guide, and it probably won't end up on a T-shirt.  But he wants his hitters to take it to heart.

Bernazard's Ridiculous “Oppo” Plan  —  John Harper at the Daily News wrote about Tony Bernazard's organizational emphasis on hitting the ball to the opposite field, starting after the 2008 season.  Before his firing, Bernazard was apparently so obsessed with players “going oppo” …

Florida Marlins reliever quite the Olympic organizer  —  Reliever Seth McClung, noted for creating the Bullpen Olympics with the Brewers in 2008, could revive the event if he makes the Marlins.  —  CSPENCER@MIAMIHERALD.COM  —  JUPITER — Thought the Olympics ended Sunday?  Think again.

Alonso trying third base, outfield  —  Many have wondered what would happen to Joey Votto when Yonder Alonso reaches the big leagues since both are good young hitters and of course, both play first base.  —  In an effort to see if can be versatile, the Reds have had Alonso working out lately at third base, left field and right field.