Ichiro lifts Japan to another WBC crown

South Korea had tied the game at 3 with two outs in the ninth on Lee Bum-ho's run-scoring single off Japanese closer Yu Darvish (2-1), who had issued one-out walks to Kim Hyun-soo and Kim Tae-kyun, the 3-4 hitters in the lineup.

Darvish struck out Choo Shin-soo before Lee lined a 1-1 pitch into left field, with pinch runner Lee Jong-wook scoring easily from second.

A-Rod is better

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is making progress in his rehab program after right hip surgery, but is unlikely to rejoin the team before New York breaks spring training camp on April 1.

"I'm not anticipating it," manager Joe Girardi said yesterday in Tampa, Fla. "It's only 10 days. His rehab is going well."

Rodriguez had surgery March 9. He is rehabbing in Vail, Colo., and is expected to be out until May. He's been riding a stationary bike, working out in a pool, and doing range of motion drills.

In other news, Girardi said if the regular season were under way that Xavier Nady would be the starting right fielder over Nick Swisher.

"Nady did a lot of good things last year, so obviously he had somewhat of the upper hand coming in," Girardi said. "Swish gives us a lot of flexibility."

Nady was acquired from Pittsburgh July 26. He hit .268 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 59 games with the Yankees. Swisher, who plays first and all three outfield positions, was obtained in a November trade with the White Sox.

The Yankees also reassigned Kei Igawa to their minor league camp. The lefthander, who allowed one run over 15 1/3 innings, was in the long-relief mix.

Manny returns

Manny Ramírez