NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez was told by the New York Yankees to keep his cousin away from the team.

The message was given to the star third baseman yesterday, said a person familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team did not make an announcement. The message applied both to spring training and the regular season, the person said.

Rodriguez also was told the cousin should not be anywhere the team congregates, which presumably includes the team's hotel when it travels and the ballpark.

Speaking at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., general manager Brian Cashman said only that the matter of Rodriguez being picked up from his spring training opener Wednesday by his cousin "has been handled."

Rodriguez took a similar tone following New York's 5-1 victory yesterday over Tampa Bay.

"It's been addressed," he said. "And, no further comment."

On Wednesday, Rodriguez homered and walked twice, then got into a SUV driven by Yuri Sucart. He's been identified as the cousin who provided Rodriguez with performance-enhancing drugs obtained in the Dominican Republic. Rodriguez admitted using them while playing for Texas from 2001-3.

Rodriguez acknowledged to the Yankees that having the cousin meet him at the ballpark in Dunedin, Fla. was a mistake, the person who told The Associated Press about the situation said.

Dan Mullin, MLB's vice president of investigations, was at Steinbrenner Field yesterday to meet with the Yankees clubhouse staff. Mullin hopes to meet with Rodriguez in the next few days.

DODGERS

MANNY REJECTS OFFER

Manny Ramirez has rejected yet another offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers announced last night the star outfielder's agent Scott Boras had declined the offer — a $25 million, one-year contract with a $20 million player option for 2010 — the club's fourth this offseason.

"We want Manny back, but we feel we are negotiating against ourselves," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. "When his agent finds those 'serious offers' from other clubs, we'll be happy to restart the negotiations."

The offer is similar to the two-year, $45 million deal with a buyout or club option that the Dodgers put on the table in November. Ramirez refused the offer and the Dodgers withdrew their proposal.

GIANTS

$650,000 FOR LINCECUM

Right-hander Tim Lincecum agreed to a $650,000, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants yesterday.

The 24-year-old Lincecum won the National League Cy Young Award in 2008, going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA while striking out a major league-leading 265 batters in 227 innings.

He ranked third in the major leagues in ERA and winning percentage, and was second in the NL in ERA and victories.

Lincecum, who made his major league debut on May 6, 2007, is likely to be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2009 season.