Howard gets $900,000 from Phillies

Ryan Howard got a raise. He’s still one of the biggest bargains in baseball though.

The Philadelphia Phillies renewed the National League MVP’s contract Friday, giving the first baseman a $900,000 salary after the sides failed to agree on a long-term deal.

The figure matches the highest base salary in a one-year contract for a player not eligible for arbitration. Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract in 2003. Howard had a $355,000 salary last season.

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Texas Rangers infielder Jerry Hairston Jr.’s name surfaced in a widespread steroids investigation out of upstate New York.

Hairston got a prescription for human growth hormone in May 2004 from a doctor jailed in the case, SI.com reported, citing a law enforcement document its reporters saw.

The drugs were sent from Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Ala., whose owners reportedly have been indicted by an Albany County (N.Y.) grand jury.

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Chan Ho Park couldn’t make his scheduled spring training start for the New York Mets because he didn’t have a work visa. Instead, he threw 35 pitches in a simulated game against minor leaguers. He cannot pitch in games that charge admission until the visa is completed.... Barry Bonds lost a fly ball in the sun and struck out swinging at a high pitch well out of the strike zone in his spring training debut for the San Francisco Giants. He went 0 for 2 against Milwaukee, including a four-pitch strikeout by prospect Yovani Gallardo.