Two Cuban pitchers--Larry Rodriguez and Vladimir Nunez--who...

Two Cuban pitchers--Larry Rodriguez and Vladimir Nunez--who defected in Venezuela have joined the Licey Tigers of the Dominican winter league in Santo Domingo in hopes of getting a shot at the major leagues. Meanwhile, Florida Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski expressed interest in Cuban pitchers Osvaldo Fernandez and Livan Hernandez, who defected before Rodriguez and Nunez. The Marlins also signed right-hander Mark Gardner to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Gardner, 33, was 5-5 with a 4.49 ERA for the Marlins last season.

Miscellany

Fresno State interim Athletic Director Ben Quillian has barred all athletic department employees from making “disruptive” comments to the media about Title IX, the federal mandate that requires equality for women in college sports, after earlier comments caused sharp divisions among male and female coaches.