BASEBALL: Matsuzaka deemed worthy

Now, those are the results the Red Sox hoped for when they invested $103 million in Daisuke Matsuzaka.

In the best outing by a Boston pitcher this spring training, Dice-K dominated – one run, one single, one walk and one standing ovation.

In 5 2/3 innings, he struck out seven and the Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 on Wednesday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla.

Rodriguez may leave

The Yankees don’t intend to offer Alex Rodriguez a contract extension, leaving him the option of opting out of his deal after the season and becoming a free agent.

Under the terms of the deal, Rodriguez can terminate it after this season. He also can stay for 2008 and have the right to opt out of the final two seasons if the Yankees don’t boost his salary to $32 million annually for the final two years.

Jenks causes concern

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is expressing concern for his closer, Bobby Jenks, after his third poor outing at spring training.

Jenks, the Spirit Lake, Idaho, native, has been nagged recently with stiffness in his shoulder.

Guillen said he wants Jenks to improve his command of all his pitches as well as increase his velocity.

Clearing the bases

A pain-free round of batting practice may be enough to get third baseman Chipper Jones back in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup today. Jones has been out since Friday because of soreness on his right side suffered in batting practice. … Jon Lieber is going to the bullpen, ending weeks of speculation, because the Philadelphia Phillies have six starters. … Top prospect Hunter Pence was reassigned to minor league camp by the Houston Astros. … The wife of late New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle may throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the team’s April 2 season opener against Tampa Bay. … Arizona outfielder Carlos Quentin has a small tear in the labrum of his left shoulder and might open the season on the disabled list. … Paul Wilson was released by the Cincinnati Reds. … Philadelphia pitcher Freddy Garcia left a game against Toronto after the first inning because of stiffness in his right biceps. … Atlanta left-hander Mike Hampton threw off a mound for the first time since he strained his left oblique during batting practice two weeks ago.