Rodriguez tight-lipped

Alex Rodriguez refused to discuss a Major League Baseball investigation into his involvement in illegal poker games, ending an interview Thursday with a one-word answer.

The New York Yankees said the injured star would stop his post-workout media session at the team’s minor league training complex if any reporter posed a non-baseball question.

Rodriguez spoke for several minutes about his recovery from knee surgery. But when asked if he would not discuss the poker games, he said “yep” and walked to his car.

Rodriguez’s publicist, however, said the slugging third baseman was looking forward to cooperating with MLB in its poker probe.

Star Magazine reported last month that several people saw Rodriguez playing in games hosted at Hollywood hotels and residences.

Richard Rubenstein, Rodriguez’s publicist, said in a statement Thursday morning that the Star’s story contains “numerous factual inaccuracies.”

Cardinals’ Molina accepts suspension

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina decided not to appeal a five-game suspension for bumping an umpire and spraying him with spittle, saying the punishment was fair.

The Cardinals’ schedule and Molina’s sore hand made the decision easier to sit out now.

Molina received the suspension Thursday and began serving it hours later when St. Louis opened a four-game series at Florida. The Cardinals are chasing the N.L. Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers and face them in a crucial three-game series beginning Tuesday.

Molina will return from his suspension Wednesday.

“You want to be part of the race. It’s better to do it now and get it done with and move on,” he said.

Another factor in the decision not to appeal was the bruise on the palm of Molina’s right hand. The injury occurred when he blocked a pitch Wednesday, and he said it likely would have kept him out of two or three games anyway.

Setback for Santana’s return to mound

Johan Santana’s schedule of rehab starts has been stopped indefinitely and a return this season is further in doubt after the Mets announced he is suffering from “fatigue” of the left shoulder.

Santana was examined at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the team’s medical staff determined that his surgically repaired shoulder is “otherwise normal.”

Santana will stay with the Mets for the next week and be shut down from throwing until his shoulder is at “full strength,” according to the team.

Initially, Santana was penciled in to start Wednesday for Class A St. Lucie.