Ready To Pitch

Closer Mike Gonzalez told Jeff Zrebiec this morning that he's feeling better and might pitch in tomorrow's exhibition game. He had to leave his last game early because of some back soreness. Brian Roberts was back in camp this morning after returning last night from Baltimore, where he visited Hopkins back specialist Dr. Lee Riley. He will be sidelined at least a couple more days while he waits to see if the treatment he received relieves his lower back soreness. Roberts declined an interview request, probably because there isn't much more to say. He explained the situation to reporters before he left town on Sunday.

Dave Parker, unable to find his stroke at age 40, was put on the waivers yesterday by the California Angels, a day after the team made Whitey Herzog its director of player personnel.The Angels got Parker in March from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade for outfielder Dante Bichette and pitcher Brandy Vann. Parker spent last season with the Brewers, batting .289 with 21 home runs and 92 RBI.But Parker, a seven-time All-Star, was batting .232 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 119 games this season.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson wrestled with his decision to decline an invitation to play for Team USA in this spring's World Baseball Classic. The right-hander was honored to be considered, but believed being in Orioles spring training would best benefit his 2013 season. It's a difficult choice for many who have been invited to participate in the WBC. Orioles center fielder Adam Jones had always wanted to represent Team USA, so when he was invited to play, his decision was a little easier.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Right-handed pitcher Ben McDonald agreed to terms on a one-year contract that could pay him as much as $500,000 for the 1992 season.McDonald, who last year completed the three-year deal he signed after becoming baseball's No. 1 draft choice in 1989, accepted a base salary of $355,000 and an incentive package that could add $145,000, if he pitches 200 innings and makes an undisclosed number of starts.The agreement averted a renewal showdown with the club and may have smoothed over the team's relationship with agent Scott Boras, whose contentious style during earlier negotiations appeared to alienate the Orioles front office.

Intrasquad game is old-timers dayEvans gets two hits; Dempsey stars againSARASOTA, Fla. -- Dwight Evans had two hits for the second straight game yesterday, as the Black Jerseys beat the Orange Jerseys, 4-3, in the last intrasquad game. Evans, who doubled and scored the first run on a single by Luis Mercedes, was the only player with two hits.Rick Dempsey was the other old-timer who was prominent iboth games. After hitting a home run off Gregg Olson in the first game, Dempsey delivered a game-tying single in the sixth inning that set up Joe Orsulak's game-winning double.

Braves: Ryan Klesko has nine homers in April, tying Dale Murphy's team record for the month. . . . Marquis Grissom has hit safely in 15 of his past 18 games, batting .270 (20-for-74).Cardinals: Brian Jordan (Milford Mill) has hit .391 (9-for-23) since being moved into the No. 2 spot in the batting order four games ago.Expos: Center fielder Rondell White was injured when he made a diving catch and crashed into the fence at Coors Field. He laid on the warning track for several minutes while being attended to by Montreal trainers.

The Red Sox aren't expecting Josh Beckett back until late July. He's not expected to face hitters until July 1, and manager Terry Francona says Beckett will need three rehab starts. … Interim Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez is the first major league manager from Puerto Rico, a distinction that would have gone to the White Sox's Joey Cora if he had been hired by any of the teams with which he has interviewed. … One of Kerry Wood's problems with the Indians has been a lack of work.

The Twins breathed a sigh of relief that the Pirates were the only other team to offer Carl Pavano a two-year deal, allowing them to re-sign him and partially salvage a shaky offseason. But catcher Joe Mauer's raise from $12.5 million to $23 million has cut into the team's depth, with the rebuilt bullpen a major concern. The Twins are suddenly a fragile team, with much invested in successful returns by Justin Morneau (concussion) and Joe Nathan (elbow surgery). … Infielder Nick Punto is a good signing for the Cardinals.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- At the one-third mark of the exhibition season, Orioles manager John Oates said he's had no surprises, but pinpointed starting pitching as the most pleasing development."

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Dwight Evans had two hits for the second straight game yesterday, as the Black Jerseys beat the Orange Jerseys, 4-3, in last intrasquad game. Evans, who doubled and scored the first run on a single by Luis Mercedes, was the only player with two hits.Rick Dempsey was the other old-timer who was prominent in both games. After hitting a home run off Gregg Olson in the first game, Dempsey delivered a game-tying single in the sixth inning that set up Joe Orsulak's game-winning double.