Canseco targets A-Rod in book

Jose Canseco says in his new book that he introduced Alex Rodriguez to a steroids distributor and that Rodriguez pursued Canseco’s wife, according to the website of freelance writer Joe Lavin.

Lavin says on the website that he obtained the book, “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball,” on Monday from a bookstore in Cambridge, Mass. The book is scheduled to be released next Tuesday.

Lavin writes Canseco’s book discusses Rodriguez, Roger Clemens and Magglio Ordonez.

He says Canseco claimed he didn’t inject Rodriguez but “introduced Alex to a known supplier of steroids.” Lavin also says “Canseco claims that A-Rod was trying to sleep with Canseco’s wife.”

“I really, absolutely, have no reaction,” Rodriguez said Tuesday when asked about the claim relating to the steroids distributor. As far as the allegation regarding Canseco’s wife, Rodriguez responded: “I don’t know how to answer that.”

Canseco writes about the infamous June 1998 party at his house. Brian McNamee, Clemens’ former trainer, has said Clemens spoke with Canseco at the barbecue and soon after approached the trainer about using performance-enhancing drugs. According to Lavin, Canseco wrote that Clemens did not attend.

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Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz is being sued in Broward (Fla.) County for wrongful death in connection with a fatal traffic accident in December.

The lawsuit asking for at least $15,000 in damages was filed by the family of 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch. Leyritz has previously pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter charges stemming from the Dec. 28 accident.

Police say Leyritz was drunk when he ran a red light in his sport utility vehicle and caused the crash. Authorities say Veitch also had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.

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Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers finalized their $152.3-million, eight-year contract, the fourth-largest package among current major leaguers.

Cabrera agreed Jan. 18 to an $11.3-million, one-year contract. The new deal adds $141 million over the following seven seasons.

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Andy Pettitte will miss his first scheduled start of the regular season April 2 against Toronto because of back spasms.

New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi expects Pettitte will start the third or fourth game instead.

Chien-Ming Wang is to start Monday’s opener and be followed by Mike Mussina.

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The San Diego Padres exercised Manager Bud Black’s option for the 2009 season.