Today, the Daily News reports that, according to "independent sources" (pretty hazy really), A-Rod was accompanied by Angel Presinal for the entire 2007 season, staying in different rooms in the same hotels as the third baseman did.

Peter Abraham points out in February of 2007, ESPN reported on the trainer, who said then that he had worked with A-Rod. What the Daily News adds to this story is that even after the ESPN story came out in February 2007, A-Rod maintained ties with Presinal. Why?! This is a guy who was caught with a bag of steroids at an airport in 2001 and subsequently banned from all MLB clubhouses. I don't understand it.

ESPN Radio reports (via Ben) that he could be suspended.

Peter Abraham reports that relief pitchers Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras have both opted out of the World Baseball Classic. They're joined by Melky Cabrera. Chad Jennings has a rundown of some other potential WBC participants and where he thinks they'll end up.

Via Ben.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Yankees and Padres are bidding on Walter Silva, a Mexican league pitcher. Baseball Reference has more on him.

The AP reports that George Steinbrenner and Bernie Williams are at Yankees camp today. The owner is meeting with players and prepping for the World Baseball Classic.

Joe Girardi has revealed the 2-6 order that he's "leaning" towards. With Jeter perched at the 2 spot, Mark Teixeira would hit third, A-Rod would hit cleanup and then Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada would be the fifth and sixth hitters, respectively. It's not 100% set in stone, as it will depend on health and performance in spring training, but that is where he has them stacked up right now.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com spoke with Hideki Matsui about his full time DH role.

MLB.com's Ian Browne reports on the Boston Red Sox ownership coming out in support of a salary cap or "salary zone." Hank Steinbrenner has responded, basically saying that the Yankees pay a large amount of luxury tax and revenue sharing money and that, as long as they do that, they should be allowed to spend what they want.

He's right, of course. The Yankees are playing within the rules of the game. But, the Red Sox, and some others I'm sure, want to change those rules.

YanksBlog.com reader Carlos left a comment yesterday, asking about reports that Jorge Posada had left midway through Alex Rodriguez's press conference on Tuesday.

As Seamus noted in the comments, Posada left due to family reasons, reports Peter Abraham. Kat O'Brien adds that his family was flying back to New York.

Last week, Jim Leyritz was jailed on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, in violations of his bail. cbs4.com reports that Leyritz is now free, after the judge who signed the arrest order was found to not have the jurisdiction to do so.


Really? Would he really drink and drive given his current legal woes? Wow.

Via Joseph.

The "Where's Waldo?" portion of the A-Rod steroid saga may have come to an end as an ESPN report states that the cousin A-Rod mentioned in Monday's press conference has been tracked down and identified as one Yuri Sucart (via Newsday). Sucart's wife is apparently the source and told ESPN that "her husband had nothing to say."

From Newsday:

MLB.com has video of Derek Jeter's press conference earlier today. Jeter repeated his support of A-Rod, but also went on to say that not everyone took steroids and that this should not be looked at as a "steroids era."