He might be ready for the playoffs. Atlanta has lost goaltender Damian Rhodes for three weeks to a groin strain. Eleven months after a stick in the eye sent him to surgery, Bryan Berard of the Toronto Maple Leafs is ending his comeback attempt. His agent says Berard still can't pass the league's minimum vision requirement. Mathews died nine days ago at age 69.
Today is baseball's mandatory reporting date at spring training.
Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox was there, and he apologized to fans and teammates for the distraction his absence caused. He missed six workouts. Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. It was the first time in eight months he'd faced live pitching. Pitcher Bret Saberhagen, trying to make a comeback with Boston, threw off a mound for the first time in six months.