TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez ducked follow-up questions about his drug use, refusing to address a report identifying the cousin the Yankees star claims injected him with a banned substance.

"I'm not talking about it anymore," Rodriguez said yesterday.

The slugger also wouldn't discuss Major League Baseball's attempt to interview him about his tainted past.

"I'd rather not get into that," he said.

The three-time AL MVP met with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and worked out on the main field at New York's spring training camp. Fans applauded and shouted encouragement, and critical shouts were at a minimum.

"The relief was just putting the uniform back on and running out there with my teammates," Rodriguez said. "No matter what happens and what has occurred in my life, the baseball field is where I feel most comfortable."

During his news conference Tuesday, he said a cousin injected him with "boli," a drug obtained in the Dominican Republic that Rodriguez believes led to a positive steroids test in baseball's anonymous 2003 survey.

Rodriguez wouldn't identify the cousin, reported by ESPN.com to be Yuri Sucart of Miami.

Property records show Sucart lives in Miami. At the house listed as his residence, a man and woman drove onto the grounds just after noon and quickly closed the gate behind them.

The man rolled down his window and did not answer questions, saying only "we have dogs." A small cocker spaniel could be seen and heard barking on the property.

MLB officials are interested in talking to Rodriguez about the cousin and the access issue. One baseball official, speaking on condition of anonymity because public comments were not authorized, said some within MLB would like to also learn the source of the "boli" that the cousin obtained.

MLB hopes the meeting will take place before Rodriguez leaves at the start of next month for the World Baseball Classic.

Union general counsel Michael Weiner said Wednesday the interview will be non-disciplinary in nature.

BRAVES

FRANCOEUR, GLAVINE AGREE TO CONTRACTS

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves worth $3,375,000, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing.

The two sides came to an agreement shortly before midnight Wednesday at the midway point between their two offers.

The Braves also agreed to terms with Tom Glavine on a one-year, incentive-based contract that will provide the veteran southpaw the opportunity to net $4.5 million this season.

IN THE COURTS

JUDGE TOSSES 3 POSITIVE TESTS AGAINST BONDS

A federal judge in San Francisco ruled late last night that prosecutors cannot use three positive steroid tests and other key evidence in Barry Bonds' trial next month.

The decision is a setback for the government in its five-year pursuit of Bonds, who has pleaded not guilty to lying to a grand jury on Dec. 4, 2003, when he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said the test results — urine samples that are positive for steroids — are inadmissible because prosecutors can't prove conclusively that they belong to Bonds. The judge also barred prosecutors from showing jurors so-called doping calendars that Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, allegedly maintained for the slugger.

SHORT HOPS

Indians: Andy Marte, who was once viewed as Cleveland's third baseman of the future, was designated for assignment yesterday after the club acquired reliever Juan Salas from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league infielder Isaias Velasquez.

Orioles: Brian Roberts and Baltimore are near agreement on a $40 million, four-year extension that could keep the second baseman with the team through the 2013 season. Roberts is already signed through this season; the additional four years would begin in 2010.

Rockies: Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis will have exploratory surgery on his pitching shoulder next week and expects to miss the 2009 season. "I'm not counting on coming back," Francis said yesterday.

Royals: The Kansas City Royals have claimed infielder Tug Hulett off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The Royals designated left-handed pitcher Neal Musser for assignment yesterday to make room on the 40-man roster.