Rangers’ Rodriguez Defiant

All-star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who angered Texas Ranger officials by playing winter ball despite verbal assurances that he wouldn’t, says he intends to continue playing in Puerto Rico every off-season.

Rodriguez reported to camp in Port Charlotte, Fla., to begin preparing for the first season of his new five-year, $42-million contract.

“I’m going to keep going and playing in Puerto Rico every year, and I encourage other major league stars to do so as well,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a formula I trust, and I can’t argue with its success.”

Ranger Manager Johnny Oates has said Rodriguez will not be punished.

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Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn is shrugging off a rocky off-season, which included accusations of being overweight, stalled contract talks and an arrest on drunken-driving charges.

“Time will tell what’s going to happen,” he said, “but, regardless, when you get in that batter’s box you don’t worry about anything else.”

Vaughn, who has one year left on his contract, said negotiations are at “square one” with no offer on the table to extend his three-year, $18.6-million deal. He reportedly sought a five-year, $50-million contract, but the team wanted fewer years.

Vaughn said he is optimistic but it wouldn’t be a big deal to him if there was no extension before the contract expired. General Manager Dan Duquette has said he won’t negotiate during the season.