The Associated Press

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Cancel the retirement party - Ricky Gutierrez isn't about to quit.

The veteran infielder is determined to play in 2004 and finally show the Cleveland Indians they got a quality free agent when he signed an $11.5 million, three-year contract before the 2002 season.

"Before I got hurt, I was a pretty decent baseball player," Gutierrez said. "People in Cleveland never have seen me really play."

Gutierrez hurt his neck while diving for a ball in Detroit early in 2002, but never told anybody. Over his last 41 games that season, he batted .336, but didn't play after Aug. 19.

He had surgery to have two vertebrae fused, relieving pressure on his spinal canal. He was in a neck brace for six weeks, but reported to spring training in 2003 believing he would reclaim his starting job at second base.

He played only 16 games apiece at Triple-A Buffalo and Cleveland before being sidelined again.

"I tried to rush things," Gutierrez said. "My entire left side was weak from the trauma of the surgery. My hand-to-eye coordination was there, I could hit, but when I tried to run or field, my left foot would start trembling."

With the trembling gone, Gutierrez went 3-for-3 in his first two games this spring and catapulted himself into competition with John McDonald and Lou Merloni for a utility job.

"I'm here to play baseball, not head to the trainer's room for ice," Gutierrez said. "I'm 33, but I feel young. I feel rejuvenated."

Gutierrez said his trainer, Willie Gillyard, put him on a rigorous program last October that included lots of running. His weight dropped from 210 pounds to 195.

But Gutierrez remains a man without a position, even though he can play shortstop, third base and second. Omar Vizquel is at shortstop, Casey Blake at third and Cleveland signed free agent Ronnie Belliard for $1.1 million this winter to play second.

"They couldn't wait for me," Gutierrez said. "But if I can get back to being the player I was with the Cubs, things will be OK."

Gutierrez hit .290 with 10 homers and a career-high 66 RBI in 2001 as Chicago's shortstop.

YANKEES: Catcher Jorge Posada will be limited to the role of designated hitter for a few days because of a sore shoulder.

Posada attributes the problem to all the throwing that takes place during spring training.

"It's the same thing every year," Posada said. "It's a little tender there. If it were the regular season, I'd be playing."

SHORT HOPS: Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run since joining the Yankees, a two-run drive in the first inning of Tuesday's 10-6 loss to Atlanta. But he also botched a popup, allowing Rafael Furcal to reach on an infield single.

"Those are the kinds of things I want to happen down in spring training," said the former Gold Glove shortstop, making the move to third base with the Yankees. "I've been working hard on popups. It didn't show on that play."

• Craig Biggio had four hits, Adam Everett drove in four runs and Houston gave Cleveland its first loss of spring training, 14-3.

• Lou Collier's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth gave Philadelphia a 4-3 victory over Minnesota.

• Matt Anderson gave up four ninth-inning runs to Toronto, which rallied to tie Detroit 7-7.

• Hee Seop Choi and Wil Cordero hit consecutive home runs and Florida beat the Mets 9-3 for their fifth straight spring win.

• Sidney Ponson allowed one run in four innings, but Mark Quinn's 10th-inning homer gave St. Louis a 4-2 victory over Baltimore.