SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP News and notes

Bonds a no-show: One day after contradicting reports that he was either ready to retire after the season or set to play 10 more years, Barry Bonds did not show up Monday on the voluntary reporting date for Giants players. Bonds told the team last week through his agent that he would come a day or two later because he needed to get some "personal stuff straightened out," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. The mandatory reporting date is Feb. 28. "Given the fact that Barry didn't play practically the entire season last year, we'd like to see him here early," manager Felipe Alou said. "But we can't bring a guy here by force before the first of March."
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez is unhappy with organizers of the World Baseball Classic for the way they handled his decision to play for the United States instead of the Dominican Republic. The third baseman took issue with reports that he vacillated between playing for the Americans and the Dominicans. "Just to make it clear, I only spoke once and then I spoke again three months later," Rodriguez said after reporting to spring training. "All the garbage in between was Major League Baseball. I didn't go back and forth. I said once, 'I wasn't playing,' and then at the end I said, 'So OK, I am playing.' " Rodriguez wouldn't identify any officials he spoke with, opting to say only "central baseball."
Marlins: The team's first workout under new manager Joe Girardi lasted more than three hours. "I was proud of how they worked," he said. "That's as hard a day as I've been in, in spring training. They were moving all the time -- that was part of the schedule. I believe in work. Work is how you get better." Seven everyday regulars and three top pitchers departed in a payroll purge during the off-season.
Orioles: All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts said he could miss the season opener because of the elbow injury that cut short his finest season in the major leagues five months ago. The leadoff hitter set career highs in batting average (.314), homers (18) and RBIs (73) before dislocating his left elbow in a collision at first base during a Sept. 20 game against the Yankees. He expects to field grounders when the Orioles' full squad practices for the first time today, but his work with a bat will be restricted to swinging off a tee.
Dodgers: Closer Eric Gagne threw off a mound for the second time in spring training. Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner, is recovering from elbow surgery on June 24. "I was impressed with his velocity," catcher Pat Borders said. "He lived up to the billing that I've heard." New manager Grady Little said Gagne's health is an important factor in the team's success. "He, by himself, is credited with being able to keep the fans in the ballpark in Dodger Stadium until the ninth inning," Little said.
Associated Press