SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP | News and notes

Dodgers: Closer Eric Gagne faced hitters Thursday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last June and was pleased with the results. He hopes to be ready for opening day, though he doesn't have a timetable. "I expected to feel good but I didn't expect to have so much zip on my fastball and movement on my changeup," Gagne said. "I was surprised. It's reassuring. I was under control, staying inside myself and throwing about 80 percent. The ball was going where I wanted it to, which is a big thing." The 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner was limited to 14 games last season due to arm and knee injuries. On June 24, he had surgery to repair a ligament in his elbow. Pat Borders, who caught Gagne's 20-pitch, four-batter session, said the right-hander mixed fastballs, changeups and sliders. Gagne did not throw a curveball but said there wasn't a specific reason why not.
Red Sox: The team's first full-squad workout was minus Manny Ramirez. The left fielder previously received permission from the club to report next Wednesday, one day after the mandatory reporting date.
Giants: Barry Bonds had a quiet second day in spring training with a much smaller media contingent present than upon his arrival the previous day. "What happened to the mob?" Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "The mobsters." Bonds hit five home runs in batting practice against first-base coach Luis Pujols, including two consecutive balls into the right-field picnic area. At the end of his workout, Bonds took a nap on the floor in the far corner of the clubhouse. Alou said Bonds wouldn't play in an intrasquad game next Wednesday and probably would be limited to games in which he can be the designated hitter. The Giants' concern now is how Bonds will react to running in the field or on the bases.
Nationals: Alfonso Soriano still isn't ready to commit to playing the , so a resolution will have to wait until after the World Baseball Classic. A two-hour meeting with team officials failed to produce a breakthrough, and the parties essentially agreed to put off the problem. "We've been pretty clear about being unclear," general manager Jim Bowden said. Soriano will be allowed to work out at second base with the Nationals for the first few days of spring training because that is the position he will play for the Dominican Republic. Soriano reports to the Dominican team March 3 and could return as late as March 21.
Tigers: Manager Jim Leyland announced veteran left-hander Kenny Rogers will start the Tigers' season-opener April 3 at Kansas City. "I think it's just a respect factor. I think he's earned that over his career," Leyland said of the 41-year-old Rogers, who was 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA last season with the Texas Rangers. Jeremy Bonderman, last year's opening-day starter, will pitch the home opener April 10 against the defending world champion Chicago White Sox.
Athletics: Frank Thomas arrived at spring training but won't be able to take part in workouts until the team's doctors check out an MRI of his surgically repaired left ankle. He said he plans to spend most of the spring hitting in "B" games with minor leaguers. "I'll spend more time on the back fields getting my eye going and timing," he said. "I'm going to take these at-bats seriously on the back field. As we get close to opening day, if they want to mix me in that's fine. I'll be ready to go."
Associated Press
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