Alex Rodriguez's legal team getting bigger

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Feb 22, 2009 | by Anonymous

Alex Rodriguez has retained lawyer Jay Reisinger, the second member of his legal team who also worked for Sammy Sosa and Andy Pettitte.

Reisinger met with Rodriguez in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday, a person familiar with the meeting said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made by the New York Yankees third baseman.

Shortly after Sport Illustrated's report on Feb. 7 that he tested positive for steroids during baseball's anonymous survey, Rodriguez hired James E. Sharp, a lawyer whom Reisinger brought in to help him represent Sosa before Congress. Sharp also represented then- President George W. Bush in front of a federal prosecutor.

Thomas Farrell, who worked with Reisinger and Sharp in the cases of Sosa and Pettitte, could be added to the legal team at some point.

-- Yankees captain Derek Jeter has a sore right hamstring and expects to resume running today. Jeter took part in all drills Sunday except a running program. "It's no big deal," Jeter said. "It's really not an issue."

-- CC Sabathia, one day after missing practice because of the flu, threw 40 pitches during batting practice to a group that included Rodriguez, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira.

Braves: Free agent outfielder Garret Anderson reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year deal. Atlanta acted quickly after Ken Griffey Jr. spurned them to return to Seattle, securing one of the best outfielders left on the market. Anderson hit .293 with 15 homers and 84 RBIs in 145 games with the Los Angeles Angels last year.

Nationals: General manager Jim Bowden is part of a federal investigation into the skimming of signing bonuses given to prospects from Latin America, according to an SI.com report. The Web site reported, citing an unidentified baseball executive familiar with the investigation, the FBI is looking at Bowden's actions as far back as 1994, when he was GM of the Cincinnati Reds.

-- Left-hander Odalis Perez was a no-show on the last day for players to report without facing the possibility of disciplinary action. Perez has expressed his dissatisfaction with his contract since giving his agent the OK to sign a non-guaranteed minor league deal with Washington on Feb. 5 that would pay him $850,000 if he makes the team. Bowden said he expects Perez to honor his contract.

Twins: Third baseman Joe Crede officially switched teams when he signed a one-year contract worth between $2.5 million and $7 million depending on how much he's on the field.

Indians: Working his way back after a disastrous 2008 ended with offseason shoulder surgery, Travis Hafner took part in batting practice with his teammates for the first time. Hafner's weak shoulder limited him to 57 games, and he batted just .197 with five homers and 24 RBIs last season.

Angels: Manager Mike Scioscia said eight-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero should be on the field by the second week of March, slightly earlier than expected.

Guerrero underwent surgery to his right medial meniscus on Oct. 10 and began working out soon afterward. He's on the final year of his contract that will pay him $15.5 million this season.

Astros: Non-roster invitee Toby Hall has decided to have surgery on his right shoulder and will be out four months.

Diamondbacks: Ten players and one coach missed spring training drills Sunday with unspecified stomach illnesses.