Baseball Capsules: Granderson is new center of attention for Yankees

NEW YORK — Curtis Granderson put on his "NY" cap, buttoned up his pinstriped jersey and went right to work for the New York Yankees.

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez is all set to start his winter workouts.

The New York Yankees star found out this week that his surgically repaired right hip is holding up fine.

"Great news," he said Thursday.

Rodriguez had surgery last March for torn cartilage and missed the first month of the season. At the time, Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the operation, thought Rodriguez would need a more extensive procedure in the offseason.

But Philippon recently examined Rodriguez, and an MRI test helped show the three-time MVP had properly healed. The doctor told A-Rod that he was A-OK on Monday.

Otherwise, Rodriguez probably would’ve been "having surgery today," he said at a Yankee Stadium news conference to formally introduce Curtis Granderson.

Rodriguez was the Yankees’ top hitter in the postseason, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs as they won the World Series. He had 30 homers and 100 RBIs during his injury-shortened regular season.

Philippon checked Rodriguez during the first round of the playoffs and liked what he saw.

"I have to say, I’m impressed with his progression and the way the season went," Philippon said then. "I wouldn’t say I’m surprised because you’re dealing with a world-class athlete who has a lot of discipline."

Rodriguez said he threw Wednesday for the first time this offseason and could start hitting anytime he wanted. The All-Star third baseman said he was eager to begin his full winter conditioning program.

The Yankees gave Rodriguez a regular day of rest last season, but he said didn’t anticipate needing the same breaks next year. As for occasionally taking a day to be the DH, he said that would be fine "once a month."

-- Ben Walker

Shocked in Seattle: Lee wanted to stay with Phils

SEATTLE — Cliff Lee thought he was staying in Philadelphia — for the rest of his career.

The Phillies’ postseason star proposed a routine counteroffer on a contract extension Wednesday, then headed for the Mississippi River near his Arkansas home to hunt.

He got some stunning news on the drive there.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. called to tell Lee he had been traded to Seattle for three prospects in a four-team deal that brought Roy Halladay to the Phillies. It was the first time that two Cy Young Award winners were dealt on the same day.

Speaking by cell phone Thursday night while beginning a long-planned vacation in Puerto Rico, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner said he was in "disbelief and shock." The 31-year-old left-hander had been excited to rejoin the Phillies for a run at another World Series.

Instead, he’s headed to his third team in five months.

"At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies," Lee said. "I thought I’d be spending the rest of my career there. ... I was under the impression they wanted to keep me there for a long time.

"In my mind, it was going to happen."

Lee was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner when the Phillies got him from Cleveland on July 29. He went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA down the stretch, then starred in the postseason by going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts.

Lee earned both of the Phillies’ wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He was wowed by what he called an "unbelievable" lineup and excellence from top to bottom in Philadelphia’s organization.

While saying he was "disappointed, sure," he said he can’t blame the Phillies for preferring Halladay.

"Basically, they had an opportunity to get the best pitcher in baseball," Lee said, realizing the Phillies moved him because they wanted to seize a chance to restock their minor league system. "I can’t blame them for choosing Roy Halladay over me."

Lee was deer hunting on his property in Arkansas this week when his wife, Kristen, called him to relay reports he might be traded. He dismissed them as rumors — especially, he said, when he asked the team and "the Phillies kind of downplayed it, made it seem like it wasn’t real."

"Then the next morning I found out it was real," he said.

The 2008 All-Star, who entered the major leagues with the Indians in 2002, has one season and $9 million remaining on his contract. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said an extension with Seattle beyond 2010 was not part of the trade negotiations.

Lee said he is "not dead set" on becoming a free agent next winter.

"I’m open to see how it plays out," he said. "I can’t give you an answer right now because I don’t know what Seattle is all about."

He does know a few things about Seattle:

—Felix Hernandez is good. Lee will join this year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up atop a rotation that is now the envy of baseball.

"As far as just straight stuff goes, it’d have to be him and CC (Sabathia, a former teammate in Cleveland) neck and neck for the best pitchers I’ve played with," Lee said.

—Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez is a former teammate of Lee’s with the Indians. The newest Mariner noted he now has a speedy, pitcher-friendly defense that includes Gold Glove right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, recently signed All-Star infielder Chone Figgins and 2004 All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson.

—Safeco Field is spacious, also pitcher-friendly and a great place to watch a game.

—The team that won 85 games last season is on the rise.

—And the city, to Lee, always "seemed like it was on the other side of the world" when he played here as a visitor. He’s never been based farther west than his native Arkansas.

Lee has one other link with a Mariner, the most famous one. In 2004 he was suspended six games for throwing behind Ken Griffey Jr.’s head, when baseball’s active home run leader was with Cincinnati. One inning earlier, Lee had given up the 499th home run of Griffey’s career, and the superstar had paused to watch the ball’s flight.

Griffey is coming back for Year Two of his reunion tour with Seattle in 2010.

"I hope he doesn’t hold a grudge on me. I’ll ask him if he does," Lee said, laughing and saying he’s talked in passing with Griffey since and all seemed well.

Same goes for the surging Mariners. And they may not be done adding. They need a left fielder and are discussing whether to pursue a potential trade with the Chicago Cubs for mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley.

"We’re not done yet," Zduriencik said.

-- Gregg Bell

AP Sources: Atkins, Gonzalez agree with Orioles

Third baseman Garrett Atkins and reliever Mike Gonzalez have reached preliminary agreements with the Baltimore Orioles, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

Gonzalez gets a $12 million, two-year contract and Atkins receives a one-year deal with an option for 2011 that guarantees him $4.5 million.

The deals are pending physicals, according to the people, who spoke separately on condition of anonymity because the contracts had not been completed as of Thursday afternoon.

Atkins, who turned 30 on Saturday, has spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Rockies. He became a free agent last weekend when Colorado failed to offer a 2010 contract.

Atkins slumped to a .226 average with nine homers and 48 RBIs last season after hitting .286 with 21 homers and 99 RBIs in 2008. Atkins, who made $7.05 million this year, lost the third base job to Ian Stewart by the end of the season.

Atkins had a career-high 29 homers and 120 RBIs in 2006, when he was fourth in the NL with a .329 average. He batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs the following year.

His deal calls for a $4 million salary next year and includes an $8.5 million club option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout. There are additional performance bonuses.

Atkins played 89 games at first base over the past two seasons and his experience at both corner infield spots makes him a good fit for Baltimore. Longtime third baseman Melvin Mora is a free agent, and the Orioles traded first baseman Aubrey Huff to Detroit in August.

Gonzalez, a 31-year-old left-hander, figures to get an opportunity to become Baltimore’s closer. He was 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA and 10 saves last season for Atlanta and has 54 saves in seven major league seasons, including a career-high 24 with Pittsburgh in 2006.

Gonzalez pitched in 80 games this year, third-most in the majors. Preceding his delivery with an unusual, rocking motion, Gonzalez struck out 90 and walked 33 in 74 1-3 innings this year.

He would get $6 million each of the next two seasons and could earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. He is a Type A free agent, so the Braves would receive two draft picks as compensation for losing him.

The Orioles traded closer George Sherrill to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30. Other potential closers in Baltimore are Koji Uehara and Jim Johnson, who took over for Sherrill last season and finished with 10 saves.

-- Ronald Blum

National League

Agent: Free agent Jamey Carroll headed to Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have reached preliminary agreement with free agent Jamey Carroll on a $3.85 million, two-year contract.

Carroll's agent, Jonathan Maurer, confirmed the deal Thursday, with the second baseman expected to undergo a physical in the next few days.

Maurer said the deal includes incentives up to $525,000 a year based on at least 275 plate appearances.

Carroll played the last two seasons in Cleveland, which offered him a two-year deal, along with Oakland and the Dodgers, Maurer said. The Indians were eliminated first.

Although Oakland offered more money and playing time, Maurer said Carroll wanted to play for Dodgers manager Joe Torre and coach Don Mattingly, who is from Carroll's hometown of Evansville, Ind.

The Dodgers have penciled in Blake DeWitt as the starting second baseman.

"Jamey has said he looks to partner with Blake DeWitt and form a tremendous 1-2 punch at second base to help this team get back to the playoffs," Maurer said.

Carroll could also spell Rafael Furcal at shortstop and Casey Blake at third base.

Infielders Doug Mientkiewicz and Angel Berroa, and pitcher Josh Towers were among nine players who agreed to minor league contracts.

The 36-year-old Mientkiewicz dislocated his right shoulder while sliding into second base for a double on April 16, went on the disabled list and wasn't activated by the Dodgers until Sept. 2. He was just 6 for 18 with three RBIs last season.

Berroa, who turns 32 next month, hit .148 with two RBIs in 27 at-bats for the New York Mets last season. If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a split contract calling for salaries of $600,000 in the majors and $81,000 in the minors.

Towers, a 32-year-old right-hander, had no record and a 3.38 ERA in two relief appearances for the Yankees this year. He would get $700,000 in the majors and $100,000 in minors if added to the 40-man roster.

Los Angeles also agreed to minor league contracts with right-handers Luis Ayala, Francisco Felix, Justin Miller and Juan Perez; first baseman John Lindsey; and outfielder Prentice Redman.

-- Beth Harris

Mets get Japanese reliever Igarashi with 2-yr deal

NEW YORK — Hoping they found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the New York Mets agreed Thursday with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi on a $3 million, two-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander became the first major addition this offseason for the Mets following a 70-92 debacle that left them with a fourth-place finish in the NL East.

New York thinks Igarashi could fill the role of eighth-inning setup man for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez.

"We’ve had an interest in Ryota for two years," general manager Omar Minaya said in a statement. "He’s got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger."

Igarashi went 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA and three saves in 56 games last season in Japan. He struck out 44 and walked 20 in 53 2-3 innings.

J.J. Putz’s elbow injury created an eighth-inning hole in the Mets’ bullpen this year. The right-hander had surgery June 9 and missed the rest of the season.

New York declined a $9.1 million option on Putz for 2010, choosing instead to pay a $1 million buyout. The reliever became a free agent and agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.

With the Mets, Igarashi joins a bullpen that includes durable lefty Pedro Feliciano, and right-handers Brian Stokes and Sean Green.

Igarashi had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2007, then went 3-2 with a 2.47 ERA and three saves in 44 games the following year.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound pitcher was 47-29 with a 3.25 ERA and 54 saves for the Yakult Swallows in the Japanese Central League from 1999-09. He had 630 strikeouts in 570 innings.

"I have known the Mets’ scout in Japan, Isao O’Jimi, since I was in high school," Igarashi said through a translator. "When I received the Mets’ offer there was no doubt in my mind that this was the team I wanted to go to and start my career in the United States. I am looking forward to playing in New York and pitching in the same bullpen as Francisco Rodriguez."

Igarashi gets $1.25 million next season and $1.75 million in 2011. He can earn an additional $250,000 each season in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 appearances.

When the contract expires, Igarashi can become a free agent.

After missing out on several stars who changed teams recently, New York is still pursuing free-agent left fielder Jason Bay and catcher Bengie Molina.

The Mets have bid between $60 million and $65 million over four years for Bay. They also made a contract offer to Molina on the final day of the winter meetings last week.

-- Mike Fitzpatrick

Ex-big leaguer Gookie Dawkins suspended 50 games

NEW YORK — Former major league infielder Gookie Dawkins has been given a 50-game drug suspension.

Dawkins was penalized Thursday after a second positive test in the minors for a drug of abuse.

Dawkins finished last season with the Florida Marlins’ organization at Triple-A New Orleans. He hit a combined .241 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in the minors for Florida and the Chicago White Sox.

The 30-year-old Dawkins made his big league debut in 1999 with Cincinnati. His last game in the majors was in 2003 with Kansas City.

College

NCAA informs ASU of possible rules violations

PHOENIX — The NCAA is accusing Arizona State of a "lack of institutional control" of the baseball program, citing allegations that include impermissible recruiting phone calls and a failure to monitor baseball staff members.

The Arizona Republic reported Thursday that the university last month received a notice of the allegations. The case is not expected to be heard by the NCAA infractions committee until next summer.

The newspaper reported that the university received a notice from the NCAA on Nov. 19, one day before coach Pat Murphy announced his resignation.

According to the newspaper, the NCAA cited a "lack of institutional control" of the baseball program. Among the reported allegations are impermissible recruiting phone calls and failure to monitor baseball staff members.

ASU spokesman Virgil Renzulli said the school was working with the NCAA on the investigation and that it did not know when it would be complete or when results would be released.

"We have an unyielding commitment to rules compliance," Renzulli said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "We adhere to policies that govern fair play, and when called into question, have embarked on self-evaluation to determine both the facts of the matter and, if necessary, corrective action."

Murphy’s 15-year run at the perennial baseball powerhouse ended abruptly when the university announced his resignation on Nov. 20. In an interview that day, athletic director Lisa Love called it "an amicable parting dictated by Pat," but it has since been revealed that the university forced Murphy to resign or be fired.

Murphy could not be reached for comment.

In 2005, the NCAA placed ASU on two years’ probation, citing the football program for a lack of institutional control, unethical conduct and impermissible benefits. It was the eighth time since 1953 that the NCAA had found the school guilty of major infractions.