BASEBALL

PALMEIRO MAY FILE SUIT AGAINST CANSECO

The Baltimore Orioles’ Rafael Palmeiro is leaving open the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Jose Canseco, who said he introduced the first baseman to steroids in 1992 when both players were with the Texas Rangers.

Canseco cited Palmeiro as a steroid user in his new book. In an interview on the CBS television show “60 Minutes,” Canseco said he injected the drug into Palmeiro. Palmeiro issued a statement last month in which he denied he ever used steroids, and he emphatically backed up that assertion yesterday after his first practice of spring training. Palmeiro also said he’s considered hiring the law firm of Orioles owner Peter Angelos to take legal action against Canseco.

“The one thing I can say is I have the best law firm and the best lawyer standing in the wings in Peter Angelos,” he said. “I have options available for me. He stands behind me and he’s ready. I will look at all my options and I’ll decide.”

SCHILLING UNSATISFIED WITH FIRST WORKOUT

Curt Schilling’s sock was bloodless, his ankle was stable, and his manager was encouraged. But the perfectionist pitcher was less than thrilled yesterday after throwing off a mound for the first time since his gritty performance in Game 2 of the World Series, which was followed by surgery 16 days later.

“This was a day when I didn’t feel as good as I wanted to feel,” Schilling said after his 47-pitch, 16-minute workout. “My ankle didn’t hurt, so I guess that’s a positive for people other than me.”

Pitching opening day against the New York Yankees on April 3 – probably against former Arizona teammate Randy Johnson – remains a possibility.

GAGNE SPRAINS KNEE LIGAMENT

Dodgers closer Eric Gagne sprained a ligament in his left knee yesterday during the team’s first full-squad workout of spring training, and will undergo an MRI exam. Gagne didn’t seem particularly concerned, but trainer Stan Johnston said the 29-year-old right-hander probably will have his activity limited for about a week. Johnston said the injury needs about six weeks to fully heal.

PRO BASKETBALL

O’NEAL COULD RETURN TO ACTION TOMORROW

Miami All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal has a mildly sprained left knee and might play Saturday against the Orlando Magic. An MRI exam confirmed a very mild sprain, the team said yesterday. O’Neal didn’t comment to reporters waiting outside the hospital, and is listed as day to day.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MICHIGAN STATE FINALLY BEATS A RANKED OPPONENT

Alan Anderson scored a career-high 28 points on a perfect no. 10 Michigan State to a 77-64 win over no. 20 Wisconsin last night.

The Spartans snapped a 12-game losing streak against ranked opponents and a six-game skid against the Badgers. Anderson was 10-of-10 from the field and 7-of-7 from the line for the Spartans (20-4, 11-2 Big Ten), who have won 10 of 11 since losing to the Badgers (17-7, 8-5) on January 16.

GOLF

TOP SEEDS ADVANCE AT MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Tiger Woods won his 13th consecutive match and all but one of the top 10 seeds advanced yesterday as the Match Play Championship finally got under way on a golf course still mostly underwater. The fairways at La Costa were so soggy that Davis Love III spent 10 minutes looking for a dry patch of grass. The greens were soft and saturated, leaving players to contend with heel prints late in the round. It was a rare sight to see any putt conceded outside 18 inches.

Tees were moved up to avoid landing areas that resembled swamps, the biggest change coming at the 467-yard ninth. It played as a par 3 from 162 yards, because there wasn’t a dry spot in the fairway. Mike Weir of Canada, the no. 5 seed, was the only player among the top 10 who is headed home. Weir fought to the end, making a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to keep alive his chances, but Kirk Triplett rolled in a tricky 4-footer to advance to the second round.

– Associated Press