Hodges, Santo among top Hall hopefuls

Gil Hodges and Ron Santo top the players’ ballot and Doug Harvey and Marvin Miller head the officials’ hopefuls in the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee vote to be announced today.

Lefty O’Doul, Al Oliver, Cecil Travis and Mickey Vernon were added to the players’ ballot, and Elston Howard and Smoky Joe Wood were dropped.

Damon back, Abreu out

Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon rejoined the team Monday after a two-day excused absence to tend to a personal matter.

Yankees right fielder Bobby Abreu is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right oblique in batting practice, an injury general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Torre said won’t cause the team to push for Bernie Williams to report.

Union to advise players

The players’ association will offer advice but said it’s the choice of each individual whether to cooperate with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell’s investigation into steroids use. Mitchell has warned owners that a lack of cooperation may lead to government involvement.

Around the league

The Boston Red Sox unpredictable slugger Manny Ramirez reported to spring training four days after the team staged its first full-squad workout but three days before the date the Red Sox gave him permission to arrive because his mother had a health problem. … Arizona’s Randy Johnson felt a little sore after throwing off the mound but said that was to be expected. It was Johnson’s second session off a mound in his comeback from back surgery. … Oft-injured Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior was pushed up to start next Monday in a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners. … To the surprise of no one, Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox aligned his spring training rotation to ensure that John Smoltz would be ready to pitch the April 2 opener at Philadelphia.