The Sammy Sosa watch is over.

The Chicago Cubs' right fielder, usually late for spring training, told manager Dusty Baker he would arrive at camp on time this year. Sosa was expected to fly into Phoenix on Tuesday, the day position players are due to report, Baker said Monday.

"In past years, you didn't expect Sammy to be here, did you?" Baker said. "Well, he called yesterday. I had a conversation with him, and he wanted me to tell you guys (the media) that he will be here tomorrow."

For the past several years, Sosa has made a habit of arriving from his home in the Dominican Republic several days after his teammates reported. Although never technically late for spring training, Sosa's absence was always noticed.

The 34-year-old outfielder attributed his tardy arrival to superstition and a fondness for the same routine. Beginning in 1998, he has had seasons of 66, 63, 50, 64 and 49 home runs, winning the NL home run title in 2002 and 2000.

Baker, who has experience handling superstars and their quirks after managing Barry Bonds for a decade in San Francisco, was asked whether Sosa's early arrival was a sign of respect.

"Well, maybe some of it," Baker said. "I can't take credit for Sammy. I've got to give Sammy credit for Sammy. Some of it might be me, but most of it has to come from inside.

"`He's trying to help this team start off on the right foot, and he knows he's a big part of it."

Texas Rangers: There was no mistaking when Alex Rodriguez reported to the Texas Rangers spring training camp Monday.

"You really see things perk up when No. 3 is around, don't you?'' said general manager John Hart, while watching A-Rod go through his first fielding workout.

The five-time All-Star shortstop led the majors last season with 57 home runs, 142 RBIs and 389 total bases. He became the fifth player in major league history to have back-to-back 50-home run seasons, hitting 52 in 2001.

While the 27-year-old team leader is very aware of the numbers he has put up in seven seasons, he said the team's success is his main goal.

"It would have been nice to win the MVP award last season, but for the team to win you have to play completely 100 percent unselfish,'' Rodriguez said. "We have a lot of young, talented players around and a new coaching staff. If I just keep playing for the team, that's when I may get an MVP.''

Rodriguez took 20 minutes in the batting cage and another hour in the field before calling it a day.

After a few soft swings, Rodriguez started lacing line drives to the right, then center, then left before leaving the cage.

Rodriguez said things were a little different without catcher Ivan Rodriguez in camp. The 10-time All-Star signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins.

"The Texas Rangers without Pudge is like the Yankees without Joe DiMaggio,'' he said. "But I hear Juan Gonzalez is in great shape. I can't wait to see him. I'm picking him for my MVP.''

San Francisco Giants: Closer Robb Nen , who had 43 saves and was an All-Star last season, threw off a mound for the first time since having offseason shoulder surgery.

Nen played long toss with trainer Stan Conte and also with roving catching instructor Kirt Manwaring. Nen threw 23 pitches off the bullpen mound at Scottsdale Stadium. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in early November and is shooting to be ready by Opening Day.

Left-hander Jason Christiansen also worked with the group and threw off the mound for the first time since undergoing ligament reconstructive surgery -- "Tommy John" surgery -- on his left elbow last May 30. The Giants are hopeful he can return to the field June 1.

"In reality they didn't do anything different than they've been doing," Conte said. "Robb Nen did very, very well. We knew they were going to do well based on what they already had been doing throwing wise."

New York Yankees: New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams is hopeful that his shoulder problems is over.

Williams and most of the New York Yankees' position players reported for physicals on Monday, a day ahead of their first full-squad workout.

Williams was slowed by sore shoulders during spring training last year. He got cortisone shots in both shoulders April 15 and missed a three-game series at Baltimore.

"He did a lot of work over the winter,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He had done nothing the year before. He understands that he had to do more than he did the year before and he did it.''

Williams still had a solid season, hitting .333 with 19 homers and 102 RBIs in 154 games. During the offseason, he worked out regularly at Yankee Stadium, cutting back on weightlifting.

"I feel good,'' he said. "Concentrated more on stretching and staying loose. Hopefully they'll loosen up a little bit as I throw and as I hit.''

Williams understands the pressure is on after the Yankees' first-round playoff loss last season ended a run of four straight AL pennants.

"Obviously we've got something to prove,'' Williams said. "We've got to stay on top, be one of the top teams in the American League and the major leagues. That should be our focus.''

Oakland Athletics: Relief pitcher Ricardo Rincon strained his left hamstring last week in Mexico and will not be able to throw off a mound for several days.

Rincon played catch for a short time Monday, but said he doesn't expect to pitch from a mound for four or five days. He was hurt while running sprints back home in Veracruz.

Rincon, who was Oakland's top lefty setup man last season after joining the A's from Cleveland on July 30, said he's undergoing physical therapy each day.

"I'll be ready for the start of the season," he said.

Houston Astros: Jimy Williams already has designated right-handed pitchers Pete Munro and Kirk Saarloos to battle for spots in the bullpen rather than compete for the fifth starting job. And there's plenty of work still ahead.

Left-handers Jesus Sanchez, Jeriome Robertson, Tim Redding and Jared Fernandez are being considered for the fifth slot in the starting rotation.

Brad Lidge is the youngest of the pitchers trying to earn a bullpen spot. He had offseason surgery on his left knee. Lidge said his knee is about 80 to 90 percent healed.

"There's going to be pressure to make the bullpen spot," Lidge said. "I'm hoping my knee does not interfere with it at all. My best-case scenario I'm hoping for is that by the time games start, my knee will be ready for a full go."

Minnesota Twins: Starter Rick Reed and non-roster invitee Jose Cabrera were missing from the Minnesota Twins' first official spring training workout for pitchers and catchers.

Reed went home to Ohio to be with a sick child, and Cabrera is having trouble getting the visa he needs to leave his native Dominican Republic.

Manager Ron Gardenhire expects Reed, who'll be Minnesota's fourth starter this year, to return to camp within the next couple days.

Cabrera, a right-handed reliever who pitched with Milwaukee last season, might take a little more time.

"He's got to get his visa straightened out with the FBI and the CIA,'' Gardenhire said, "and right now I'm betting Cabrera's not the highest thing on their list.''

Anaheim Angels: Eric Owens, a free agent outfielder signed a one-year contract Dec. 30 with Anaheim, said he's completely willing to fill any role needed, from pinch-running to playing every day.

"If I sit on the bench for 162 games and we win 161 of them, it would be fine with me," he said. "I just want to contribute a small piece to this team."

Owens has a .263 batting average in 695 big league games with 25 homers, 194 RBI and 115 steals.