MLB News and Notes May - 30

Baseball Today - May 30
Wed, May 30, 2007
By Associated Press

SCOREBOARD

Wednesday, May 30

San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (7:10 p.m. EDT). Looking for his 296th career win, Tom Glavine faces off against Barry Zito.

STARS

Tuesday

-Gary Sheffield, Tigers, homered twice and drove in five runs to help Detroit pound Tampa Bay 14-2.

-Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks, had four hits and four RBIs in Arizona's 11-5 win over Philadelphia.

-Matt Belisle, Reds, gave up one run in 7 2-3 innings and struck out a career-high eight and Cincinnati edged Pittsburgh 2-1.

-Justin Morneau, Twins, homered and drove in four runs in Minnesota's 9-2 victory over Chicago.

-Carlos Delgado, Mets, hit two homers, including a game-winning shot in the 12th inning to push New York past San Francisco 5-4.

STINGY

Brad Penny scattered four singles over 6 1-3 innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Washington 10-0 on Tuesday. Penny improved to 7-1 on the season and has yet to surrender a home run in 70 innings, making him the only pitcher in the majors who has pitched at least 40 innings without allowing a homer. ... Josh Beckett returned from the disabled list and ran his record to 8-0, pitching seven innings of three-hit ball to lead Boston past Cleveland 4-2. He became the first Red Sox starter to win his first eight decisions since Roger Clemens opened the 1986 season 14-0.

STOLE HOME

Aaron Hill stole home for Toronto in a 3-2 win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Facing away, Yankees starter Andy Pettitte didn't notice Hill breaking for the plate until catcher Jorge Posada stepped out and waved his arm. Pettitte threw home but Hill slid in safely ahead of the tag. It was the Blue Jays' first steal of home since Shea Hillenbrand did it August 6, 2005, against the Yankees.

STREAKS

The New York Yankees' losing streak reached five on Tuesday with a 3-2 loss to Toronto. ... Ichiro Suzuki stretched his hitting streak to 22 games in Seattle's 4-1 loss to the Angels. ... Kevin Youkilis extended his hitting streak to 21 games in Boston's 4-1 win over Cleveland. It was Youkilis' ninth consecutive multihit game, the most by a Red Sox batter since Jim Rice in 1978. ... Houston lost their ninth in a row for the first time since Sept. 1996 with a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati. ... Colorado defeated St. Louis 8-3 and have now won seven in a row for the first time since Sept. 1998.

SNAPPED

Detroit stopped a four-game losing streak with a 14-2 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. ... White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye had his 14-game hitting streak snapped in a 9-2 loss to Minnesota. ... Texas ended a season-worst six-game skid with a 4-0 victory over Oakland.

SPEAKING

''We don't need Papi. Save him for the playoffs. If we need a big hit, a walkoff, we'll bring him in.'' - Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, joking about Boston's success with slugger David Ortiz sitting out his third straight game to rest his hamstring. The Red Sox defeated Cleveland 4-2 Tuesday on the strength of a Youkilis homer and a strong effort on the mound from Josh Beckett.

Cardinals C Molina leaves game with left wrist injury
May 29, 2007

DENVER (AP) -St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina left the Cardinals' game against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning Tuesday night after taking a foul ball off his left wrist an inning earlier.

Molina was hit by a foul tip from Todd Helton. Molina came out for the fourth, but trainers were summoned after Braden Looper walked the first two batters of the inning.

Molina, who was 0-for-1, was replaced by Gary Bennett. The Cardinals didn't reveal the severity of the injury.

Notes from Tuesday's AL games
May 29, 2007

CLEVELAND: Casey Blake was named the AL player of the week for the period ending May 27. Blake batted .348 with eight extra-base hits, including four homers. ... The Indians signed LHP Mark Rodrigues, a fifth-year senior from the University of Hawaii.

BOSTON: DH David Ortiz was out for the third consecutive game. Ortiz has been resting a ``barking'' hamstring that he attributed to dehydration. ... 1B Kevin Youkilis doubled in the first to extend his hitting streak to 21 games. ... RHP Josh Beckett was activated from the 15-day DL and got the start against the Indians.

NEW YORK: Manager Joe Torre said Roger Clemens will ``probably'' make his first start next Monday at Chicago against the White Sox. ... 1B Jason Giambi is tentatively scheduled to have a cortisone shot in New York on Thursday's off day and could be ready to return in time for Friday's game at Boston. ... RHP Scott Proctor, who did not pitch Monday because of a stomach ailment, was feeling better Tuesday and was available, Torre said. ... Torre said C Jorge Posada is feeling the effects of a sore tendon in his knee. ``It's just growling a little bit,'' Torre said. ... RHP Carl Pavano tentatively is scheduled to have reconstructive elbow surgery on June 8 in Pensacola, Fla., with Dr. James Andrews operating.

TORONTO: 3B Troy Glaus (tight hamstring) was a late scratch. He was replaced by John McDonald. ... RHP Brandon League (sore shoulder) has been transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. League has resumed pitching at extended spring training in Florida. General manager J.P. Ricciardi said League could be ready to return by the end of June. ... LHP Gustavo Chacin (sore shoulder) will undergo a second MRI exam sometime in the next few days. Chacin has not pitched since April 28. ... By transferring League, Toronto opened up a spot on its 40-man roster for RHP Brian Wolfe, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. Wolfe joined the team in Toronto before Tuesday's game against New York.

DETROIT: RHP Fernando Rodney (right biceps tendinitis) had a long toss session. He could throw off a bullpen mound in the next few days. ... LHP Nate Robertson (4-4, 4.03 ERA), Wednesday's scheduled starter, has been doing extra work in the bullpen. ``I think he got away from his style of pitching,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``Probably didn't get the ball in like he did last year. I think he understands it.'' ... DH Gary Sheffield homered for the second straight game Tuesday. Leyland said the fact that Sheffield is only playing occasionally in the outfield could help him stay fresh. ``He's always been a good all-around player,'' Leyland said. ``He always plays hard.'' Sheffield also stole two bases in Monday's game.

TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon said CF Rocco Baldelli (strained left hamstring) is making progress. ``No setbacks, no timetable,'' Maddon said. ... RHP Edwin Jackson, who was hit on the jaw by an errant throw Monday, remains scheduled to make his next scheduled start Saturday. ``He's sore, but fine,'' Maddon said. ``He should be fine for Saturday.'' ... INF Ty Wigginton was rested. He will play first Wednesday against Detroit LHP Nate Robertson.

BALTIMORE: LHP Jamie Walker was expected to rejoin the team after going home on Monday to be with his wife, who gave birth to a son. ... RHP Steve Trachsel was the first major league pitcher Monday night to throw a complete game without a strikeout in more than a year. Joel Pineiro did it for Seattle against Minnesota on May 1, 2006. No Orioles pitcher had done it since Scott Erickson on May 28, 2002, against Kansas City. ... The Orioles hope to get RHP Jaret Wright back from the DL later this week. He went on the DL April 30 with soreness in his right shoulder. ... C Ramon Hernandez's grand slam Monday night was the third of the year for Baltimore, and all three have come against the Royals.

KANSAS CITY: The Royals, losers of five straight entering Tuesday night's game, held a players-only meeting. ``It was about winning,'' right fielder Mark Teahen said. ``It's not about mechanics, just doing the little things you need to do to win.'' ... Manager Buddy Bell shook up his lineup, dropping David DeJesus from the top to the middle of the order, putting Shane Costa in the leadoff position and starting Angel Berroa at shortstop instead of Tony Pena Jr., who had a career-high eight-game hitting streak. ... In the five-game skid, every starter in the rotation absorbed a loss.

CHICAGO: Did A.J. Pierzynski step a little too far to the inside of the bag when trying to beat out a double play during Monday's game? Does Twins first baseman Justin Morneau have a right to be upset at the former Twins catcher for allegedly ``clipping'' his foot? Manager Ozzie Guillen thinks it's time for everyone to move on. ``It should be over,'' Guillen said. ``A.J. talked to (Morneau) about it. It takes a man to go to the manager and all the players and say I didn't try to do this. If they don't believe A.J., well, that's up to them.'' Guillen also said Pierzynski watched the tape several times and never saw any reason for the Twins to be upset. ``I think when you get spiked in that area, you can get hurt,'' Guillen said. ``A.J. plays hard, but I don't think A.J. is a dirty player.'' ... Utility player Craig Wilson signed a minor league contract on Monday and went 1-for-4 in his debut with Triple-A Charlotte. Wilson is a career .262 hitter and was released by Atlanta on May 17. He has played for Pittsburgh, the Yankees and Atlanta during his seven-year career.

MINNESOTA: C Joe Mauer showed up sore on Tuesday after a strenuous workout, still bothered by a deep bruise and some bleeding in his strained left quadriceps, manager Ron Gardenhire said. The team is still counting on him to be back this weekend, but Mauer might have a second MRI test on the muscle to make sure everything is OK. ``Our doctors are doing everything they can do,'' Gardenhire said. ... The easy smile on RHP Ramon Ortiz's face did not disappear with his demotion to the bullpen. Exhibiting the same upbeat and positive manner, Ortiz said he wasn't disappointed to be removed from the rotation and expressed his desire to continue to help the team. ``When they give me the ball, I'm going to be ready,'' he said. ``I don't worry about nothing. I worry about winning games.'' ... Reliever Jesse Crain had his season-ending shoulder surgery Tuesday as planned. His rotator cuff was completely torn, but Crain is on track to be ready for spring training in February, Gardenhire said.

SEATTLE: RHP Jeff Weaver, on the DL since May 11 because of tendinitis in his shoulder, threw close to 70 pitches over four innings in a simulated game and felt encouraged. He doesn't feel a minor league rehab assignment is necessary, and neither does manager Mike Hargrove. But they are going to talk about that possibility. ``I felt better as it went on, which is a key point,'' Weaver said. ``I wasn't fatiguing by any means as the pitch count escalated. Everything was good throughout, from the windup and the stretch.'' ... RHP Jon Huber was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for LHP Ryan Feierabend, who was called up to make his third major league start in place of injured LHP Horacio Ramirez.

LOS ANGELES: RHP Justin Speier returned to the Angels clubhouse to prepare for a minor league rehab stint beginning Thursday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 33-year-old reliever has been sidelined since April 30 because of an intestinal virus that affected his eating and sleeping habits, resulting in persistent nausea and a loss of about 10 pounds. ``I just thought it was the flu. And since I was still pitching well, I just kept dealing with it and figured it would just go away. But it didn't,'' said Speier, who has stranded all 13 of his inherited baserunners and has a 1.69 ERA. ``I knew I had to take a step back and evaluate things. I'm not totally out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, but things are headed in the right direction. I've gained back five pounds and my sleeping habits are getting back to normal. I definitely feel relieved, but I'm not going to come back to soon and then have this start up again. So there's no timetable.''

Notes from Tuesday's NL games
May 29, 2007

SAN DIEGO: The Padres will bump ace RHP Jake Peavy up in the rotation. Peavy will start Friday in Washington while rookie Justin Germano will start Saturday. ``Jake has pitched a lot with an extra day over the course of the year,'' manager Bud Black said. ``We just like to get him on regular rest.'' Peavy has pitched on more than the regular four days' rest four times this season. Germano, meanwhile, has thrived in his past two starts when having extra rest. There's also the matter of a series next week against the team the Padres are tied with in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now Peavy is scheduled to pitch in that series. ... RHP Clay Hensley will make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Portland on Tuesday. The starter, who has been on the DL with a strained right groin since May 3, will be given the chance to throw about 90 pitches or six innings. He has gone four innings in his two previous rehabilitation starts. ... Monday was the second of five consecutive Mondays the Padres will enjoy off days.

PITTSBURGH: OF Jason Bay was named the National League player of the week for the period ending May 27. Bay batted .500 (10-for-20) with two home runs, 10 RBIs and six runs scored in six games. It was the fourth time Bay has been so honored, most recently exactly 52 weeks ago. ... Manager Jim Tracy said C/1B/OF Ryan Doumit would continue to be available for pinch-hitting duties, but would not be cleared to play the field until at least Wednesday at the earliest. Doumit has not started since leaving Friday's game with dizziness after being hit in the head by a bat on a backswing. ... Tuesday night the Pirates began a stretch of 31 consecutive games played outside of NL Central Division opposition. Pittsburgh, which is 17-19 within the division and 5-9 outside of it, doesn't play another NL Central opponent until July 2.

ARIZONA: Stephen Drew is hearing boos in Philly merely because he's J.D. Drew's brother. J.D. Drew has been vilified by fans since he spurned the Phillies and elected to re-enter the amateur draft after Philadelphia selected him with the second overall pick in 1997. ... Randy Johnson (2-2) makes his first in 10 days Wednesday. The Big Unit missed his last turn with forearm tendinitis.

PHILADELPHIA: Injured closer Tom Gordon played catch for the first time since going on the disabled list early this month with a strained rotator cuff. ``I feel a lot better,'' Gordon said. Gordon is still recovering from an upper respiratory infection that hospitalized him for five days. There's no timetable for his return, though he hopes to be back before the end of June. ... Manager Charlie Manuel insists he didn't overwork Brett Myers, the opening day starter who became the closer after Gordon went down. Myers is sidelined with a strained shoulder. ``I want to handle Myers where we can keep him strong and we can have him,'' Manuel said. ``There's no way that I want to jeopardize his future, but at the same time I want to pitch him whenever I can.''

LOS ANGELES: RHP Jason Schmidt will make a rehabilitation start for Single-A Inland Empire on Wednesday night, part of his recovery from an inflamed right shoulder that forced him to the 15-day disabled list on April 17. ``Everything is still very positive and moving forward,'' manager Grady Little said. Instead of being on a pitch count, Schmidt will re-evaluate his condition after each inning, Little said. ... Closer Takashi Saito asked to be off in the Dodgers' 2-1 victory Sunday over the Cubs because of stiffness in his pitching shoulder. The Dodgers were off Monday, and Saito said he felt fine before Tuesday's game at Washington.

WASHINGTON: RHP John Patterson, on the 15-day disabled list since May 6 with soreness in his right elbow and triceps, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday afternoon and played long toss, reaching a throwing distance of 120 feet. ``It felt good to be on the mound again,'' Patterson said. ``The arm wasn't hurting at all.'' ... Manager Manny Acta has not decided if he'll remove RHP Levale Speigner, whose next scheduled start is Friday, from the rotation. Speigner is 0-1 with a 14.80 ERA in three starts.

SAN FRANCISCO: As expected, Barry Bonds was out of the starting lineup. Daniel Ortmeier instead started in left field. The Giants were off Monday, and manager Bruce Bochy liked the idea of getting Bonds two straight days off. ``He's been out there a lot,'' Bochy said. ``It might've caught up with him.'' Bonds has 746 career home runs, none of them off Mets starter Oliver Perez. In fact, Bonds was just 1-for-9 with four walks and four strikeouts against the lefty. ... 2B Ray Durham is showing improvement from a strained abdominal muscle and the Giants don't think he will need to go on the disabled list.

NEW YORK: RHP Guillermo Mota served the 50th and final day of his suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He is set to join the Mets on Wednesday - the reliever has been at Triple-A New Orleans getting ready. Mota wound up losing 59 days' pay, or $580,328 of his $1.8 million salary. He agreed in December to a $5 million, two-year contract, and the Mets agreed to backload the deal, which pays Mota $3.2 million in 2008. ... Tom Glavine tries for his 296th career victory Wednesday night when he starts against Barry Zito. The Mets were interested in signing Zito during the offseason, but dropped out when the free agent wanted a longer contract.

ATLANTA: RHP Lance Cormier will make his season debut in a start against Florida during a doubleheader June 5, manager Bobby Cox said. Cormier made his final rehab start Monday, pitching 6 2-3 scoreless innings in Triple-A Richmond's 3-0 victory over Rochester. Cormier has made four rehab starts while recovering from a strained right biceps. He will be activated from the DL before the doubleheader, Cox said. Cormier was 4-5 with a 4.89 ERA last year. ... 3B Chipper Jones won't play until Friday at the earliest when the Braves open a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs, Cox said. Jones last played May 23, and is out with a sore right hand.

MILWAUKEE: Manager Ned Yost said he had no plans to bench CF Bill Hall despite his struggles. Hall is batting .171 (7-for-41) in his last 11 games, and .256 for the season. ``He's got the talent and the ability to do it, but you've just got to go out and let it happen,'' he said. ``You can't go out and make it happen. You go out and hit 35 home runs without trying (in 2006) and then you think, `Boy I'm going to hit 50 this year because I'm going to really try' and you end up with 15.'' ... OF Corey Hart likely will get more playing time, Yost said. Hart, platooning in a crowded outfield, is batting .269 with one homer.

FLORIDA: OF Reggie Abercrombie had an impressive game Monday. He homered, made a nice defensive play in the outfield and stole second and third in the ninth inning that set up a sacrifice fly. ``He's done a (heck) of a job, this is his second time around and he's really been impressive this go-around,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``He's (had) a chance to play and has done well.'' Abercrombie started the season with Triple-A Albuquerque and hit .282 with four home runs. He was recalled to the Marlins on May 9. In 2006, he played in 111 games with the Marlins. Gonzalez is impressed with the improvements that Abercrombie has made since spring training. ``I think everything. I think the way he handles himself, No. 1, is the biggest thing. I think he is serious about being up here and having success up here and that's one of the things that we talked about before he got sent down to the minor league camp.'' ... RHP Josh Johnson threw 62 pitches in extended spring training in Jupiter, Fla. RHP Carlos Martinez (right elbow) coming back from Tommy John surgery, relieved Johnson and threw two innings. Gonzalez said the reports were positive.

CHICAGO: Cubs manager Lou Piniella is optimistic that the Cubs can get back in the race. They're trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by five games, but to get back in it, Piniella said one of the improvements they need to make is baserunning. ``We do some things that make you shake your head, running the bases at times that gets you out of innings,'' Piniella said. ``We are five games out of first place, and I know it has been a struggle, but what we need do is to get on a little bit of a streak, get ourselves back up to the .500 level and go from there. Nobody has given up. We're still working. The players are trying like (heck) to get the job done, they want to get it done. There is a lot of baseball left to play, but at the same time one of the things that we've been missing - we got to get better at.''

CINCINNATI: OF Norris Hopper led off for the Reds, a result of his scary collision with teammate Ryan Freel on Monday. Freel was placed on the 15-day disabled list after suffering contusions to his head and neck. Freel has led off in 27 games and has eight SBs, tied for the team lead with 2B Brandon Phillips. Hopper led off for only the second time this season. Narron said he prefers the speedy Phillips lower in the order and batting with men on base. ... The Reds will not have to face Roy Oswalt in their three-game series in Houston, a definite plus considering the ace is 19-1 against Cincinnati. ``I kind of like that a lot,'' Narron said with a wry smile. ... Narron wasn't putting much stock in the Astros' eight-game losing streak. Houston won seven of the first nine meetings between the teams before Tuesday night's series opener. ``They've played great against us,'' Narron said. ``Whenever they've need a hit against us, they've gotten it, whenever they've needed a play, they've gotten it, whenever they've needed an out, they've gotten it.'' ... Narron hasn't decided who'll start Friday's game in Colorado. The Reds optioned RHP Kirk Saarloos to Triple-A Louisville on Monday after he failed to retire any of the seven batters he faced in Cincinnati's 14-10 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Narron said possible replacements include LHP Bobby Livingston, who was called up on Monday from Triple-A Louisville, and RHP Victor Santos, who's made 20 appearances out of the bullpen this season.

HOUSTON: The Astros came into Tuesday's game with their first eight-game losing streak since 2001, but manager Phil Garner isn't ready to panic. ``Every team that wins the pennant this year will probably have a six- to 10-game losing streak, probably more than once,'' Garner said. ``The teams that win have a bunch of long win streaks after those losing streaks. We need to throw together a bunch of six- or seven-game winning streaks. We can do that, we're capable.'' Luckily for the Astros, no team in the NL Central has a winning record in its last 10 games. Last season, St. Louis won the division with an 83-78 mark. ``Our battle is to get back to .500 first,'' Garner said. ``You fight to get back to .500 and then you go from there.'' ... Lance Berkman was hitting .254 with only five home runs this season, but Garner won't be benching the All-Star slugger any time soon. ``I don't know when it's going to be when he breaks out of it,'' Garner said. ``I don't know if it's going to be tonight or next month. You also know he can whip off some serious numbers in a half-season, too.''

ST. LOUIS: Back spasms kept SS David Eckstein out of the lineup for the third straight game. ... RHP Todd Wellemeyer will make his first major league start Wednesday. He had been a starter in 96 of 106 appearances in the minor leagues, but has been used strictly as a reliever since his first call-up in 2003. ... Heavy rains and hail - which blanketed the field - kept the Cardinals from taking batting practice. ... OF Chris Duncan was unavailable for Tuesday's game due to an infection and inflammation in his left knee. He'll be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

COLORADO: OF Willy Taveras was held out Tuesday, a day after being hit on the right index finger on a bunt attempt. Taveras said he'd probably lose the nail. However, Taveras said he'd try gluing the nail to play Wednesday. ``(Being held out) is just a precaution,'' Taveras said. ... Taveras has 12 steals this season, more than any Rockies player had all of 2006. ... Although SS Troy Tulowitzki leads major league rookies in runs, hits and walks this season, manager Clint Hurdle isn't ready to hand him the rookie of the year award just yet. ``It's not even June,'' Hurdle said. ``We've got a long way to go. I think we'll let this play out.'' ... LHP Jeff Francis finished May with a 2.23 ERA, the ninth-lowest figure in the majors in the month.

Collision lands Freel on DL
THE ENQUIRER

Ryan Freel was released Tuesday from The Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati following an overnight stay.

Freel was admitted Monday for a contusion to the head and neck following a collision with right fielder Norris Hopper in the third inning of the Reds’ game against the Pirates.

Freel is scheduled to be examined Wednesday by head and spine specialist Dr. John Brannan. His condition will be updated at that time.

Freel is on the 15-day disabled list.

The center fielder was left bloodied, bruised and knocked out after an outfield collision with right fielder Norris Hopper Monday.

The Reds selected the contract of OF Dewayne Wise from Class AAA Louisville to fill Freel's roster spot.. Wise will wear uniform number 15.

Freel plays an all-out brand of defense where slamming into walls or sprinting halfway across the outfield to catch a fly ball is not out of the ordinary.

What was unusual Monday at Great American Ball Park was that Freel didn't get up after making an improbable catch.

Freel was left bloodied, bruised and knocked out after colldiing with Hopper as both pursued a fly ball Pirates catcher Humberto Cota hit to right-center field in the third inning.

Hopper's right elbow had hit Freel's head as both players tried to avoid a full-body collision. Freel was then knocked off his feet and hit his head on the warning track before coming to rest on his left side at the base of the wall in right-center field, near the 370-foot marker.

An ambulance took Freel to Good Samaritan Hospital where CT scans came back normal.

He was diagnosed with bruises on his head and neck.

Braves: Chipper still out with sore hand

Chipper Jones did not play for the sixth straight game on Tuesday because of a sore right hand, according to the AP. Braves manager Bobby Cox said he plans to hold Jones out until Friday, when Atlanta starts a three-game set with the Cubs. If Jones still can't play then, he may be placed retroactively on the DL.

Diamondbacks: Reynolds suffers neck contusion

The Diamondbacks lost Mark Reynolds to a neck contusion Tuesday night, according to the AP. Reynolds collided with pitcher Brandon Medders on Michael Bourn's bunt single leading off the seventh. Medders' knee appeared to hit the side of Reynolds' head as he leaped to avoid contact. Reynolds is listed as day-to-day.

Mets: Mota finishes up 50-game suspension

Guillermo Mota served the 50th and final day of his suspension on Tuesday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, according to the AP. He is set to join the Mets on Wednesday.

With Mauer still sore, Twins cautious about bringing him back
May 30, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer's return from the disabled list has been delayed.

The reigning AL batting champion, who was hitting .353 when he strained his left quadriceps earlier this month, showed up sore on Wednesday for the second straight day.

The team's latest target was to activate Mauer for Friday's game at Oakland, but team trainers wanted to limit his activities with his leg still sore.

``They're not going to try to push the issue,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Since May 6, the day after Mauer was out, backup Mike Redmond is batting .413. Chris Heintz was in the lineup on Wednesday, with an afternoon start following a night game.

The Twins have picked up their offense, scoring four or more runs in 11 straight games and 19 runs against the Chicago White Sox while winning the first two games of the series. That has helped soften Mauer's absence, but he's still missed.

``We all want to see him out on the field. He just makes us a better ballclub,'' Gardenhire said.

Team doctors have decided Mauer doesn't need a second MRI test, but the Twins will wait until everyone is sure he's ready - including Mauer.

``I want Joe to tell me that he can play,'' Gardenhire said.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has a fractured wrist and will miss 4-6 weeks.

Cardinals SS David Eckstein has said "We'll take it day-to-day with my back injury."

Angels SP Bartolo Colon (triceps) appears headed to the DL according to the LA Times.

Rockies CF Willy Taveras (finger) is not expected to start in tonight's game.

Giants 2B Ray Durham (abdominal) has been downgraded to out

Rangers recall Koronka, send down Wood
May 30, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -The Texas Rangers recalled lefty John Koronka from Triple-A Oklahoma and sent down Mike Wood on Wednesday, a day after the right-hander helped snap a six-game losing streak.

Koronka started Wednesday's series finale at Oakland and took the loss in the Rangers' 6-1 defeat. The only left-hander to start for the Rangers this season, Koronka allowed three runs in five innings in his other start May 19 at Houston.

Wood, who was called up from Oklahoma on Monday, pitched five scoreless innings in Tuesday's 4-0 victory against the Athletics. It was his second strong outing in four starts for the Rangers.

Wood is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in five appearances for Texas and 3-1 with a 2.58 ERA in six games for Oklahoma.

Indians C Victor Martinez is not in the starting lineup; Kelly Shoppard is the starting catcher

Giants 2B Ray Durham (abdominal) is not in the starting lineup; Kevin Fradsen is starting at second.

Phillies 1B Ryan Howard (leg) is not in the starting lineup; Wes Helms is starting at first.

Blue Jays 3B Troy Glaus (hamstring) is not expected to be in the starting lineup tonight.

Tigers 2B Brandon Inge is expected to get tonight off due to a sore big toe.

Athletics outfielder Milton Bradley was activated from the 15-day disabled list today.