NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees turned down requests Saturday to meet with Alex Rodriguezs camp and the union about the embattled stars expected drug penalty, two people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press. The overtures were made two days before MLB was poised to hand Rodriguez a lengthy suspension for his part in the Biogenesis case. The two people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no public statements were authorized. Rodriguez, meanwhile, was in Trenton, N.J., playing what could be his last game in a while. He started a double play, then drew a walk in the first inning while on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with the Double-A Thunder. He was scheduled to be off Sunday. The All-Star third baseman said Friday night the Yankees tentative plan was for him to join them in Chicago for Monday nights game against the White Sox. Before Rodriguez took the field, his side reached out to the Yankees and union head Michael Weiner contacted MLB Executive Vice-President Rob Manfred. The Yankees and MLB said they had no interest in such talks. There was always the chance, however, that further negotiations could take place at the last minute. The New York Post, Daily News and New York Times reported the discussions earlier Saturday. There hasnt been any definite word on the severity of Rodriguezs looming penalty, with speculation ranging from a lifetime ban to a suspension through the 2014 season. Also possible, according to those familiar with the talks, was a suspension lasting until Aug. 31, 2014, the day before all teams are permitted to expand their rosters from 25 players to 40. The 38-year-old Rodriguez hasnt played in the majors this season. The three-time American League MVP is recovering from hip surgery and a strained quadriceps. A day after Rodriguez homered for Trenton, Thunder manager Tony Franklin hedged on whether A-Rod was ready to rejoin the majors. "Thats not for me to say," Franklin said. "His swing is getting better. Hes running better. Hes doing the baseball things OK right now. But thats a different game up there." A sellout crowd was expected and a few minutes before the national anthem, A-Rod chatted up fans near the dugout and fist-pumped a kid, then walked off to have a catch. Rodriguez caught a knuckling line drive by Readings first batter and later fielded a grounder and began an inning-ending double play. Batting second, Rodriguez walked to the plate to Jay-Zs "On To The Next One" and received a mixture of cheers and boos in the first. He fouled off a 2-2 pitch before drawing a walk. Rodriguez slowly went first to third on a double off the right-field wall and was stranded. He also walked the next time he came up while his girlfriend, former pro wrestler Torrie Wilson, held up her cellphone to video the action from a second-row seat behind the plate. In the top of the second, Rodriguez ranged to his right to field a grounder and threw high and wide to second. It was ruled an infield hit, though he probably wouldve made the play a few years ago. The next inning, Rodriguez fielded a slow bouncer down the line and made a strong throw to first to get the out. He heard loud cheers as he jogged slowly to the dugout, looking around and seemingly taking in the crowds appreciation. Stephone Anthony Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Deonte Harris Jersey . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom-rickey-jackson-jersey-large-1452e.html . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. John Hill Jersey . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Johnson Bademosi Jersey . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Australias under-17 womens basketball team has secured a history-making world title by beating Italy at the world championships in Spain.The Sapphires dominated the Italians in the decider, surging to a 62-38 victory to become the first non-U.S team to win the tournament.The Aussies entered the final in a confident mood after beating the Americans in a thrilling semifinal. Prior to that match, no U.S team - mens or womens - had ever lost an under-17 game at the world titles.The win was by far the best effort ever by the Sapphires, who had never finished better than fifth at the championships.But they took all before them in Spain, winning the tournament with an average winning margin of 23 points.Leading the way for the Sapphires was starting centre Ezi Magbegor, who was named the championships most valuable player.dddddddddddd She averaged 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game and shot at 54 percent from the field.Magbegor was also selected in the tournaments All-Star five alongside the teams captain Jasmine Simmons and point guard Monique Conti.I couldnt be prouder of my team, Sapphires coach Shannon Seebohm said.When we got together for our camp to select the team, we talked about?being the best defensive team in the world and really committing to that side of the ball and I could not have imagined it to go any better.Its an unbelievable feeling. I can see a lot of our girls playing for the Opals one day. ' ' '