Union will advise on probe

Tucson, Ariz. – The players’ association will offer advice but said it’s the choice of each individual whether to cooperate with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell’s investigation into steroids use.

“We haven’t made any comment about the Mitchell investigation specifically,” union head Donald Fehr said Monday. “What you should expect, however, is that any time any player has an issue with that or something arises, then we will give them whatever our best advice is under the circumstances, and then players make their individual decisions.”

Hodges, Santo Hall hopefuls

New York – Gil Hodges and Ron Santo top the players’ ballot, and Doug Harvey and Marvin Miller head the officials’ hopefuls in the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee vote to be announced today.

Since the Veterans Committee was revamped for the 2003 election, no one has been chosen by the voters – mostly living Hall of Famers.

La Russa-Rolen rift over

Jupiter, Fla. – St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen are talking again, and both agree the rift that began during the 2006 postseason is over.

The two shook hands last week outside La Russa’s office at the St. Louis Cardinals’ spring training complex. The two had not spoken since the disagreement began.

Ramirez arrives at camp

Fort Myers, Fla. – Manny Ramirez got lost on his way to calisthenics.

The unpredictable slugger reported to Boston Red Sox camp Monday either late or early, depending on who’s timing him. And he walked into a crowd of fans by accident after taking a wrong turn as he headed off for stretching.

Bonds will miss opener

Scottsdale, Ariz. – San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Monday he is opting to keep Barry Bonds back at Scottsdale Stadium to get his work Thursday rather than playing him in the Cactus League opener against the Chicago Cubs.

Smoltz to open 2007

Kissimmee, Fla. – After passing off the opening day honors last season, John Smoltz is all set to handle the Atlanta Braves’ first start of 2007.

To the surprise of no one, manager Bobby Cox aligned his spring training rotation to ensure that Smoltz would be ready to pitch the April 2 opener at Philadelphia.

‘Big Unit’ sore after session

Tucson, Ariz. – Randy Johnson felt a little sore after throwing off the mound Monday but said that was to be expected.

It was Johnson’s second session off a mound in his comeback from back surgery. He said the soreness was “the residual effects from the first time out.”

Prior will start for Cubs

Mesa, Ariz. – Oft-injured Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior was pushed up to start next Monday in a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners.

Oblique injury slows Abreu

Tampa, Fla. – Yankees right fielder Bobby Abreu is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right oblique during batting practice Monday.