Texas Won’t Budge on Offer to Pudge

All-star catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez has rejected the Rangers’ latest $38-million offer that would have kept him with the team for at least five more years.

Ranger President Tom Schieffer said Friday the offer will not be increased after three rejections and that the team would consider trading the catcher before Thursday’s major league deadline. Rodriguez reportedly has been seeking $44 million.

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Minnesota Twin pitcher Dave Stevens, 27, was arrested for drunk driving this week after the car he was driving was involved in a three-car accident in Minneapolis.

“It’s nothing to be proud of,” said Stevens, who had tried to keep team officials from finding out about the arrest. “It was an unfortunate incident. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, thank God.”

Police said Stevens’ vehicle hit another one early Tuesday and pushed it into a parked car. No injuries were reported.

Stevens is 1-3 with a 9.00 earned-run average.

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The New York Yankees, beset by injuries to outfielders and needing some right-handed pop in their lineup, signed free-agent outfielder Pete Incaviglia to a minor league contract Friday. . . . A decision has yet to be made on whether to charge Yankee outfielder Mark Whiten after a woman accused him of sexual assault, a Milwaukee County prosecutor said. . . . Two-time Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen, 33, of the Boston Red Sox, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since the 1995 season, will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Sunday at Class-A Lowell of the New York-Penn League.