Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Feb 23 (The Sports Xchange) - Alex Rodriguez came across as remorseful and contrite Monday as he spoke to the media for the first time since being suspended for the entire 2014 season by Major League Baseball. "No mistake that I've made has a good answer," the New York Yankees slugger said. "No justification. It's unexplainable. I've paid a price personally and professionally." - - Cuban star prospect Yoan Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitting infielder with power and speed, has agreed to sign with the Boston Red Sox, according to reports Monday. Moncada left Cuba in June and quickly became the subject of an intense bidding war. Scouts see the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Moncada as a 20-home run threat who could play second base, third base and in the outfield. Most believe Moncada will require some time in the minor leagues to develop. - - New Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said he would consider a return to a 154-game season if there was enough interest for it. "I don't think length of season is a topic that can't ever be discussed," Manfred told ESPN.com. "I don't think it would be impossible to go back to 154." - - The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-handed pitcher Dustin McGowan to a one-year contract and placed newly signed right-hander Brandon Beachy on the 60-day disabled list. Beachy, 28, is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for all of 2014. McGowan is 25-27 with a 4.57 ERA in 158 games (68 starts) in seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. - - The Texas Rangers signed infielder Elliot Johnson to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training. Johnson, 31, has played in 318 major league games with four organizations -- Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Atlanta and Cleveland. (Editing by Frank Pingue)