Sosa wants to concentrate on playing with Rangers

Sammy Sosa says he isn’t interested in answering the lingering questions about steroids. After a year out of baseball, the slugger has more pressing issues with the Texas Rangers.

“I don’t have to convince nobody,” Sosa said Friday. “I know who I am. I have been good to this game, I will continue to be great to this game, I will continue to perform. I don’t want to talk about whatever happened in Congress. This is not my problem. I’ve got to make the team.”

Two years after being among several players who testified before a congressional committee looking into steroid use in professional baseball, the 38-year-old Sosa is trying to make a comeback and has a minor league contract with his original team.

“Let’s talk about baseball,” Sosa said. “Let’s talk about 2007, and the talent we have in Texas, and what we can do this year.”

The former NL MVP and seven-time All-Star, fifth with 588 career home runs, took part in the Rangers’ first full-squad workout at Surprise, Ariz.

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Randy Johnson pitched from a mound for the first time since undergoing back surgery in October and said after his private bullpen session that he felt fine.

Johnson threw 25 fastballs and said he was “pretty free and easy” -- although reporters were not allowed to verify that for themselves.

Johnson’s private workout was viewed by Arizona Diamondbacks coaches on a field away from the media.

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New York Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez should know next week when he can start throwing. Recovering from rotator cuff surgery, Martinez probably will sit out the first half of the season. He said that he’s working hard at rehabilitation and expects the shoulder to heal.

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Baltimore Orioles reliever Jamie Walker sustained a concussion when he was hit in the back of the head by a Nick Markakis line drive during batting practice.

Walker walked off the field under his own power. He went to a hospital for X-rays he was diagnosed with a mild concussion. A CAT scan was negative.