The Milwaukee Brewers expect to start the season without new closer Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman strained his right oblique muscle while pitching against Kansas City on March 13 and hasn't thrown since. Manager Ken Macha said the team's training staff expects Hoffman will be out another week and he will need two bullpen sessions before facing hitters. That makes it unlikely Hoffman will be ready for the April 7 opener at San Francisco.

"It's kind of looking dim," Macha said yesterday.

Hoffman, the major league career saves leader with 554, signed a $6 million, one-year contract with the Brewers.

Right-handers Carlos Villanueva and Seth McClung are the candidates to close early in the season if Hoffman is unavailable

Macha said right-hander David Riske is not an option to close.

ELSEWHERE

Rangers: Andruw Jones could stick with the Texas Rangers through spring training, even though he won't be a starter and there is no guarantee of him making the team. During a meeting yesterday with general manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington, the five-time All-Star said he would be willing to remain with Texas as a backup outfielder and part-time designated hitter.

Yankees: Yankees catcher Jorge Posada threw out three of four runners attempting to steal second base in a minor league game yesterday, a step forward in his recovery from right shoulder surgery last July 30. Posada had been unsuccessful in four previous throws — three to second and one to third — this spring training.

Rays: Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton likely will miss the start of the regular season after being hit in the hand by a pitch during a minor league spring training game. The Rays already were determined not to rush the center fielder back from offseason surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder. Although the hand injury is not considered serious, manager Joe Maddon said it's doubtful Upton will be ready for opening day April 6.

Athletics: Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren is close to striking a deal with the club for a contract extension. Geren is 151-172 with the A's in his only two years as a major league manager. The 47-year-old Geren is entering the final year of a three-year deal signed in November 2006.

White Sox: Right-hander Gavin Floyd and the Chicago White Sox agreed yesterday to a $15.5 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes a club option for 2013. The 26-year-old was 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA for the White Sox last year and is 25-18 in 73 games over parts of five big league seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and White Sox.

Royals: Pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta was assigned to the Kansas City Royals minor league camp. The 32-year-old spent 12 years with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League before signing a $6 million, two-year contract with the Royals before last season.

Red Sox: Right-hander Junichi Tazawa was optioned to Double-A Portland yesterday by the Boston Red Sox. Tazawa, 22, signed a $3.3 million, three-year contract with the Red Sox in December after pitching for four seasons in the Japanese Industrial League.

Astros: Playing his first game with his new team, Ivan Rodriguez stroked a single to center field in his initial at-bat and helped the Houston Astros to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals yesterday. Rodriguez finished 1-for-3 in Kissimee, Fla.