Sammy Sosa is a big leaguer again, and Jason Isringhausen appears to be on his way back to closing games for St. Louis.

After being told he’d made the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster, Sosa hit a home run Thursday that went so far it must have felt like the good old days.

The solo shot that almost sailed into the street beyond left field at Tucson Electric Park was just one of 26 hits in a game won by the Arizona Diamondbacks, 15-12, but it was part of a big day for the 38-year-old slugger in his comeback after a year away from the game.

By making the 40-man roster, Sosa – fifth on the career home run list with 588 – becomes a major-leaguer again. He was in camp on a minor-league contract.

“The reason why I took the chance to come here is because I know I can compete,” Sosa said in Tucson, Ariz. “I believe that putting myself in that situation, coming here knowing I have to fight for a spot, is something that I liked, something that I’m proud of.”

At Jupiter, Fla., Isringhausen’s spring training debut, a date circled on the Cardinals’ calendar for months, was filled with the same sort of suspense that marks many of his ninth-inning appearances.

This outing was a big success not because he wriggled out of a jam, but because his surgically repaired hip was not a problem.

Isringhausen, who missed the team’s first World Series title in 24 years last season, loaded the bases with none out before escaping without any damage in the first inning of a 3-1 loss to a Los Angeles Dodgers split squad.

“I thought he was really in control,” pitching coach Dave Duncan said. “His delivery looked great, and his command was outstanding.”

In other news, Baltimore pitcher Kris Benson will have surgery on his ailing right shoulder and likely miss the entire season. Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro agreed to a five-year contract extension through the 2012 season. NL Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb will miss his next scheduled start Saturday for Arizona because of a sore neck.

In other games:

Marlins 9, Astros 8

At Kissimmee, Fla., Ricky Nolasco, projected as Florida’s No. 4 starter, allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. Lance Berkman, Mark Loretta and Luke Scott homered for Houston. Wandy Rodriguez, trying to secure a spot in the Astros’ rotation, gave up five hits and three runs with five walks in 32â3 innings.

Twins 4, Orioles 2

At Fort Myers, Fla., Ramon Ortiz struck out four and gave up two unearned runs in four innings for Minnesota. His ERA this spring is 0.75.

Pirates (ss) 13, Reds (ss) 1

At Bradenton, Fla., Paul Maholm put to rest any idea that the sore shoulder that bothered him at the end of last season is still a problem. The Pittsburgh left-hander pitched 42â3 scoreless innings.

Rockies 5, Athletics 2

At Tucson, Ariz., Rich Harden struck out nine batters in 32â3 innings for Oakland.

Brewers 6, Angels 1

At Phoenix, Jeff Suppan pitched five innings of no-hit ball. He and four other pitchers limited Los Angeles to two hits.

Cubs 9, Mariners (ss) 3

At Mesa, Ariz., Alfonso Soriano hit a triple and two singles for Chicago, which got homers from Aramis Ramirez and Cliff Floyd. Cubs starter Ted Lilly pitched 32â3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs, one earned.

Yankees 3, Braves 2

At Tampa, Fla., Kei Igawa was inconsistent again. The Japanese left-hander allowed one hit, four walks and struck out five in three scoreless innings.

Indians 5, Devil Rays 0

At Winter Haven, Fla., Jake Westbrook and four Cleveland relievers held Tampa Bay to two seventh-inning singles.

Blue Jays 11, Phillies 6

At Clearwater, Fla., Josh Towers pitched four solid innings.