New York Yankees vs. Anaheim Angels Tickets

Angels News:

The Angels added another piece to an already stocked bullpen by signing Darren Oliver on Monday to a reported one-year, $1.5 million contract that includes a $2 million club option for 2008 and a $250,000 buyout, pending a physical.

In keeping with organizational philosophy that a team wins with strong pitching, the left-hander is the second experienced reliever to join the Angels' bullpen this offseason. Right-hander Justin Speier signed a four-year deal with the Halos last month.

"We feel Darren is a solid addition to our ballclub and adds a veteran presence to our bullpen," general manager Bill Stoneman said. "His versatility gives us an option as both a reliever and a spot-starter."

Oliver went 4-1 with a 3.44 ERA in 45 relief appearances with the Mets last season after coming out of retirement. He did not pitch at the Major League level in 2005, but he spent time in the Minors with the Rockies, Diamondbacks and Cubs organizations.

The 36-year-old will head to the bullpen, but he's spent the bulk of his career in the rotation. Oliver made 10 starts in 2004, as he split time between Florida and Houston, and he had a combined 3-3 mark with a 5.94 ERA that also included 17 relief appearances. Oliver was last a full-time starter in 2003, when he was 13-11 with the Rockies.

Oliver emerged as a lefty specialist last season, when he limited left-handers to a .208 batting average. The Angels employed J.C. Romero in that role in 2006, but the left-hander has since been released after the team declined his $2.75 million option.

Another key role left open was long relief with the trade of right-hander Kevin Gregg to Florida. Oliver now gives the Angels a second spot-start option in the bullpen alongside right-hander Hector Carrasco.

Yankees News:

For one night only, Alex Rodriguez helped transform Manhattan's 40/40 Club into the hottest poker club on earth.

That's because A-Rod teamed up with rapper Jay-Z to host a celebrity poker tournament on Wednesday, with the proceeds benefiting Rodriguez's A-Rod Family Foundation and Jay-Z's S. Carter Scholarship Foundation.

The event, which was expected to raise more than $250,000 for Rodriguez's charity, featured several high-profile celebs, from such sports stars as Dan Marino, Cal Ripken Jr. and Julius "Dr. J" Erving to personalities including Nelly, Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey.

"The response has been incredible, and the celebrity turnout has been great," A-Rod said. "For Jay-Z to team up with us, it's a dream team to raise money for a great cause."

Two of A-Rod's teammates, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, attended the event, as did former teammate Gary Sheffield.

"Guys are so busy, so I'm always hesitant about bothering people while they have their family time," Rodriguez said. "For Mariano, Jorge and the rest of the people to show up, it's incredible."

"I was getting ready to leave [New York] when Alex called me and asked me to come to his event," said Sheffield, who has been practicing his poker skills during the past week. "I asked him if I'd be playing with my money or his money."

A poker tournament seemed an odd choice for a charity event, seeing how A-Rod sparked some controversy last year when it was revealed that he had played at an underground poker club in New York.

"I got in some trouble for poker last year, so why not turn it around and raise some money for the children?" he said. "Poker is hot. People are excited, and it's a great way to raise a lot of money. I hope it does well."

For Rodriguez the event is the first for his foundation in New York. Last year he and his wife, Cynthia, launched the foundation with a fund-raiser in their hometown, Miami.

The A-Rod Family Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of distressed children, whether they're in need of psychological, physical or financial help. Rodriguez credits his involvement with the Boys and Girls Club in Miami with helping to mold him into the person he has become, and he believes that underprivileged kids should have the same opportunities that he did as a youngster.

"I've been the by-product of a lot of help," he said. "Some kids are making the wrong choices. They're turning to drugs, alcohol or suicide, alternatives that are not the answer. If we can give these children more choices, give them programs and counseling, that's what we really want."