Manny, LA close

The Los Angeles Times reported that Ramírez flew from Miami to Los Angeles last night to have a face-to-face meeting with owner Frank McCourt.

A-Rod has cyst on hip

Hours after Alex Rodriguez played for the Dominican Republic in a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic, the Yankees announced he would get his ailing hip checked by a specialist.

An exam Saturday revealed a cyst in Rodriguez's right hip. The 33-year-old slugger is scheduled to visit Dr. Marc Phillipon today in Vail, Colo.

Rodriguez's status for the WBC was uncertain. The Dominicans' first game is Saturday against the Netherlands.

A's target Garciaparra

Nomar Garciaparra

is nearing agreement on a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. The 35-year-old former Red Sox infielder could finalize a deal within a few days, a person familiar with the negotiations said.

Oakland, a late player in the free agent market, also is close to finalizing a $4 million, one-year contract with Orlando Cabrera, who would displace former AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby as the team's starting shortstop.

Bonds wants to play

Barry Bonds

is open to making a comeback. But does any team want him?

Now that Bonds's federal trial has been delayed at least until July, the agent for baseball's home run king plans to contact all 30 major league clubs once again to determine whether there's a place for the 44-year-old slugger, who last played in 2007.

Santana start delayed

Forget Opening Day, Johan Santana's tender elbow might keep the Mets' ace from making his first start until the second series of the season. Santana has yet to pitch in a spring training game, and pitching coach Dan Warthen indicated the lefthander's schedule would put him on track to start the Mets' fifth game . . . The Brewers agreed to a one-year contract with righthander Yovani Gallardo, who had been the last unsigned player on their 40-man roster. Gallardo was 9-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 2007 . . . Brewers righthander Braden Looper will miss his second straight spring training start because of a strained oblique muscle and might not be ready for Opening Day . . . Rays first baseman Carlos Pena of Haverhill, who has yet to play a spring training game because of surgery in January to repair two small tears in his lower abdominal muscle, is scheduled to start Friday against the Pirates.