a couple of notes from sat

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Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edgar Martinez was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Saturday because of his slow-healing hamstring injury.

Martinez, 39, had surgery April 13 to remove a ruptured tendon behind his left knee. He re-injured his hamstring two weeks ago while taking batting practice. He is eligible to come off the disabled list June 11.

"It's bad news, but it really isn't," manager Lou Piniella said. "All we're doing is ensuring that he doesn't have to rush. We want Edgar ready in June, July, August and September. He will not feel the pressure of coming back too soon. . . . We're going to need his bat down the stretch."

Martinez has been doing agility drills and light running and taking batting practice but is not able to run at full speed without pain. Piniella had said Thursday that Martinez could do a rehab assignment this weekend and rejoin the team as soon as Tuesday, but that timeline has been pushed back.

Martinez was frustrated after learning of the decision, but said he agreed with it.

Colorado

Rockies lefthander Denny Neagle left Saturday's game against the San Francisco Giants after being hit on the left knee by a line drive.

Benito Santiago's liner struck Neagle with two outs in the fourth inning. Neagle scrambled to the ball and threw out Santiago to end the inning, then was helped to the dugout by two teammates.

Neagle has a bruised left kneecap. X-rays did not reveal a fracture or any serious damage. Colorado went on to win 6-3.

"I am sore, but I have no doubt I will make my next start," Neagle said. "I had the presence of mind to throw out Santiago, wanted to continue playing, but thought better of it."

Neagle limited the Giants to one run and two hits through four innings. He gave up Barry Bonds' 584th home run in the fourth.

Chicago Cubs

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez was activated from the disabled list after missing two weeks because of a strained left hamstring.

Gonzalez was hitting .259 with three home runs and 17 RBI when he was injured May 9. Chicago optioned infielder Augie Ojeda to Class AAA Iowa.

The Cubs also put lefthander Ron Mahay on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 23, because of shoulder tendinitis. Righthanded reliever Courtney Duncan was recalled from Iowa. Duncan was 0-3 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA in 16 games at Iowa. He made his major league debut with Chicago last season.

Houston

The Astros placed righthander Scott Linebrink on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right elbow and recalled righthander Jim Mann from Class AAA New Orleans.

Linebrink, 25, has no decisions and a 6.08 ERA in 14 appearances for the Astros this season. He has pitched 7 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his past seven appearances.

Linebrink was placed on the DL retroactive to Monday.

Mann will report to Houston today, in time for a night game against the Cubs.

Mann, 27, had no decisions and a 3.38 ERA in four appearances for the Astros in 2001. In 20 games with New Orleans this season, he was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA and 14 saves.

 

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Sheffield's schedule

Though Cox would not commit to today's lineup, Sheffield is hopeful of returning, having rested his left hamstring for three days. He tested it Saturday in the outfield during batting practice and pinch hit in the seventh.

Sheffield doubts that the injury, sustained while running out a grounder Wednesday in Montreal, was a result of muscle tightness from the workout regimen he had adopted from Barry Bonds.

"I don't think so," said Sheffield, who has not had hamstring problems since early in his career. "I'm stretching from the time I get here. I got my ropes. I'm always stretched out. I don't know if it had something to do with [Montreal's artificial] turf."











After returning Friday from nearly seven weeks on the DL, Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the starting lineup. He pinch-hit in the ninth and singled off Ligtenberg.

 

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Astros starter Dave Mlicki (3-6) was forced to leave after two innings because of a pulled muscle in his left side, which will land him on the disabled list today.

He is expected to be on the DL for at least a month, according to general manager Gerry Hunsicker.

 

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CLEVELAND: The Indians won consecutive road games for the first since April 6-7 in Detroit. The Indians, 10-16 on the road this season, have won just five of their last 20 road games. ... 3B Travis Fryman ended a 0-for-9 slump with an infield single in the sixth inning. He hit a three-run homer in his next at-bat. ''I haven't swung the bat consistently this year,'' said Fryman, who is hitting .227. ''I remain optimistic. I have to believe that at some point I will swing the bat the way I've traditionally hit the ball.'' ... The Indians have scored three or fewer runs in seven of C.C. Sabathia's 10 starts. ... 1B Jim Thome hasn't hit a homer since May 12 and hasn't driven in a run since May 17. ... The Indians shut out the Blue Jays for the first time since July 24, 1996.
TORONTO: The Blue Jays have lost four of five since sweeping Oakland last weekend. ... Toronto has lost 10 of its last 12 series. ... The Blue Jays are 5-11 against left-handed starters. ... OF Brian Lesher got a rare start at DH, his first appearance since May 16. ... A fan who caught a foul ball was booed. The fan was wearing a Carolina Hurricanes NHL jersey. The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing Carolina in the Eastern Conference finals. ... 1B Carlos Delgado has an AL-leading 40 walks.



Rangers-Royals
TEXAS: The rainouts Thursday and Friday marked the first time the Rangers had been stopped by rain on two consecutive days since May 3-4, 1990, at Chicago. ... Dave Burba, who started on Saturday, was originally scheduled to go on Thursday. ... Bullpen coach Jamie Quirk will not be a candidate for Kansas baseball coach after all. He said he'd been told one requirement is a college degree, which he never got.
KANSAS CITY: Never let it be said that Tony Pena does not have an open mind. While interviewing him on Saturday, a sports writer wondered if it might be better to start rookie Miguel Asencio in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader instead of the second ? ''so he won't have a few hours to sit around and worry.'' Pena immediately conferred with pitching coach Al Nipper, then came back and announced that he was switching Asencio to the first game. ... C Brent Mayne, on the DL with back spasms since April 30, was to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Wichita Saturday.




Devil Rays-Athletics
TAMPA BAY: OF Ben Grieve sat out his fourth straight game Saturday with a bruised left thumb. ... Tampa Bay has a 11-30 all-time record against Oakland, its worst against any AL club. ... The Devil Rays have lost seven straight at Oakland Coliseum. ... With their 6-0 loss Saturday to the A's, the Devil Rays were shut out for the sixth time this season, tying them for the AL lead with Kansas City. ... Tampa Bay's 13 strikeouts were a season high. ... OF Jason Tyner sat out of his second straight game with a sore left knee. Manager Hal McRae said he wouldn't play at all in the series against Oakland.
OAKLAND: RHP Aaron Harang, called up Saturday from Triple-A Sacramento, earned a win in his major league debut, allowing three hits over seven innings with 10 strikeouts. The 6-foot-7 Harang was 3-2 with a 1.77 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Sacramento, and 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in thee starts for Double-A Midland. ... To make room on the roster, the A's designated LHP Mike Holtz for assignment. Holtz had a 6.43 ERA in 16 relief appearances. The A's have 10 days to trade, release or send him to the minors. ... The two wins against Tampa Bay break the A's seven-series losing streak. The A's had not won a series since they swept the White Sox in Oakland, April 26-28.

 

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Yankees-Red Sox
NEW YORK: David Wells' two strikeouts were his fewest since his first start of the season. He pitched fewer than five innings for the first time this year. ... Alfonso Soriano's RBI gave him 33 as a leadoff hitter, most in the majors. ... Robin Ventura was 0-for-12 before he singled in the second. Then he doubled in the third. ... Shane Spencer started for the first time this series, replacing Rondell White in left field, and went 1-for-4. He has seven hits in his last 15 at bats. ... Wells argued with home-plate umpire Jim Reynolds after walking Boston leadoff hitter Rickey Henderson in the first. ''I said, 'Right down the middle, ball four?' I had my say and that was it,'' Wells said. Replays showed he probably was right.
BOSTON: Rey Sanchez's triple was the 11th of the season for the Red Sox in their 46th game. They had just 29 all last season. ... Shea Hillenbrand is batting . .500 (13-for-26) against lefties after going 1-for-2 against Wells. ... Derek Lowe allowed three runs and four hits in the first two innings. In his last four, he allowed no runs and one hit. The difference? ''To be honest with you, I don't know,'' he said. ''I didn't throw very well. I was just off. Against some teams you can get away with it. Against these guys you can't.'' ... Boston hit into two damaging double plays. With runners at first and third and no outs in the fourth, Trot Nixon hit into one that scored a run but left the bases empty with two outs. With no outs and runners at first and second in the eighth, Jose Offerman hit into another. ... Casey Fossum pitched three scoreless innings in relief and has given up just two runs in his last 10 2-3 innings.




Tigers-White Sox
DETROIT: Damion Easley continued his rehab assignment Friday night by playing in his second game for Triple-A Toledo at Pawtucket. He played five innings at second base in both games and was scheduled to play nine innings Saturday. ... Out since April 4 with right elbow inflammation, RHP Danny Patterson pitched a scoreless inning in each of his two outings for Triple-A Toledo. Patterson is expected to pitch Sunday and Monday at Pawtucket and Wednesday at Ottawa. ... C Brandon Inge is expected back with Tigers on Monday. In his rehab assignment at Toledo, Inge has gone hitless in the last three games (0-for-8). In his seven games of rehab so far Inge is batting .318 with two doubles and two triples.
CHICAGO: Magglio Ordonez, Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas have combined for 118 RBI, and each ranks among the top 10 in the AL. ''You would like to see two out of three, but when all three are going pretty good you know you are in pretty good shape because you know we will score some runs,'' manager Jerry Manuel said. ''Hopefully that will continue. Magglio and Paul have really been consistent all year.'' ... Despite leading the AL with 46 RBIs and being second in batting average (.358), Konerko is unlikely of getting voted into the All-Star game. Konerko is not on the ballot and his only chance of making the team would be as a reserve. Thomas is the White Sox representative at first base on the ballot. ''I would be very surprised if he wasn't selected,'' Manuel said. ''At this point where the team where it is now and he's doing what he is doing it would be almost impossible to leave him off. ... The White Sox have acquired minor-league outfielder Scott Morgan from San Diego in exchange for a player to be named.




Orioles-Mariners
BALTIMORE: The last time the Orioles won in Seattle was June 1, 1999, in their next to last game at the Kingdome. The club record for consecutive road losses to one team is 15. ... RHP Travis Driskill made his first major league start at age 30 on Saturday. This is his 10th pro season. He came to Orioles training camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor league contract in November.
SEATTLE: RHP Paul Abbott, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation of his right shoulder on May 8, had a 46-pitch session in the bullpen on Saturday. He reported no problems and is expected to pitch a simulated game in Tampa on Tuesday. ... OF Chris Snelling made his big-league debut with a start in left field on Saturday. He was called up Friday from Double-A San Antonio, where he hit .326 in 23 games. Snelling hit .336 with seven homers and 73 RBI in 114 games with Class-A San Bernardino in 2001. Snelling is the seventh player to make his major league debut with Seattle this season.

 

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Twins-Angels
MINNESOTA: RHP Brad Radke, out since May 14 because of a pulled groin, is eligible to come off the DL next Wednesday during a series at Texas. But the Twins may postpone activating him until the following series against Anaheim at the Metrodome. Radke is 11-4 lifetime against the Angels with a 1.66 ERA ? but is 1-7 with a 5.17 ERA in Arlington. ... Friday night's 5-1 victory at Anaheim Friday night was the Twins' 27th this season ? and their only one against a team that currently has a winning record. ... RHP Rick Reed's three-hitter Friday was his first complete game since last June 5 with the New York Mets. The two-time All-Star has not walked a batter in three consecutive starts, and is averaging 1.70 walks per nine innings in his career ? the best mark among active pitchers with at least 1,000 innings since 1988. ... 2B Luis Rivas, taking part in an extended spring training at Fort Myers, Fla., went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI on Saturday. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment late next week. Rivas has not played for the Twins since the second game of the season, when a pitch from Kansas City's Dan Reichert resulted in a hairline fracture near his left wrist.
ANAHEIM: The Angels are 6-0 when Tim Salmon homers. ... C Shawn Wooten is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake during the middle of next week. When he tore a ligament in his right thumb on March 13 in an exhibition game against San Diego, Wooten was thought to be out until the All-Star break, but manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday that Wooten is significantly ahead of schedule. ... Closer Troy Percival entered Saturday having allowed no earned runs in 31 2-3 career innings against Minnesota. The only other active pitcher with a 0.00 career ERA with at least 20 innings against one team is Todd Jones, who has pitched 26 innings against San Diego without allowing an earned run.




NATIONAL LEAGUE
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Phillies-Expos
PHILADELPHIA: Jeremy Giambi started in place of 1B Travis Lee and batted sixth in his first appearance with the Phillies since he was acquired from Oakland on Wednesday. ... Bench coach Gary Varsho managed the Phillies for the second straight game while manager Larry Bowa serves a three-game suspension. Bowa watched his team from a booth in the Olympic Stadium press box for the second straight night. ... The Phillies entered a major league-worst 4-19 on the road.
MONTREAL: 2B Jose Vidro entered with a chance to extend his career-best 18-game hitting streak to the longest streak in the majors this season. Vidro had two hits in Friday's 4-1 win to move past Colorado's Juan Uribe for the longest NL streak this season and tie Chicago's Paul Konerko and Boston's Johnny Damon, who each had 18-game streaks. ... Expos manager Frank Robinson sat slumping 1B Lee Stevens, who is hitting just .201 this season after going 7-for-67 (.104) since May 1. ''I'd like to get him in a good groove,'' Robinson said. ''He got a lot of strikeouts early in the season on pitches away. Now it has become a mental thing. He has to relax now to reprogram himself.'' LF Brad Wilkerson used Stevens' glove as he made his first major league start at first base. ... The Expos are expecting a crowd of over 20,000 Sunday when they close out the three-game series with the first of two ''Turn Back the Clock'' games this season. Former Expos Mack Jones, Ron Hunt and Ellis Valentine will be on hand to see the current team don Montreal's 1970 uniform, which featured the unique red, white and blue cap the Expos wore from 1969-1991.




Marlins-Mets
FLORIDA: The Marlins overcame a four-run deficit to improve to 4-8 on their 14-game road trip, longest in franchise history. ''We took advantage of the mistakes they made,'' Tim Raines said. ''We've had that happen to us enough on this trip, it was nice to do it to another team for a change.'' ... Manager Jeff Torborg said the biggest out of the game came in the eighth inning when closer Vladimir Nunez came on to retire pinch-hitter Mike Piazza with a runner on first to end the inning. ''It's always a big out when Mike's up. He's a game breaker,'' Torborg said. ... OF Kevin Millar (strained oblique muscle) started a rehab stint at Double-A Portland. He will play again Sunday and be re-evaluated at that time.
NEW YORK: It looks like the Yankees' Roger Clemens will pitch ? and bat ? at Shea Stadium for the first time since he beaned Mike Piazza two years ago. But Mets manager Bobby Valentine is fearful that all the attention will make it hard for his team to get revenge. ''It means it will be very difficult for us to hit him in the neck because of all the buildup,'' Valentine said. ... The Mets committed two errors, giving them an NL-worst 47 this season. The three unearned runs helped Florida overcome a 4-1 deficit in the seventh inning and cost Pedro Astacio a chance at a win. ''We certainly helped them out a little bit to get back into the ballgame,'' CF Jay Payton said. ''Pedro pitched great. He definitely deserved a win and we kind of let him down a bit.'' ... 3B Edgardo Alfonzo is batting .338 in May to raise his average to .329.

 

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Cardinals-Pirates
ST. LOUIS: Nine different pitchers won games during the Cardinals' 9-1 homestand that ended Thursday, with only Mike Crudale, Jason Isringhausen and Mike Matthews not winning. ... Jason Simontacchi opposes the Pirates for the first time Sunday, but he played for one of their Class-A farm clubs in 1999. ... LHP Garrett Stephenson (1-3) and Pirates RHP Kris Benson (0-2) are fighting similar problems as they return from reconstructive elbow surgery. Stephenson, who lost Friday night to Pittsburgh 5-2, is having trouble throwing his changeup and curve for strikes. Manager Tony La Russa said, ''He's not quite himself yet, but we believe in him and we think he'll get better and better. This is not Garrett Stephenson at his best.'' Stephenson was a 16-game winner in 2000 before injuring his elbow.
PITTSBURGH: Manager Lloyd McClendon said third baseman Aramis Ramirez is still bothered by the sprained ankle that sidelined him for more than three weeks. Ramirez was 7-of-49 (.143) after returning May 13, with only three hits in 40 at-bats through Friday. When Ramirez returned nearly two weeks ago, McClendon warned he might not be 100 percent for three weeks. ... Despite sunny skies at gametime, it rained earlier in the day in Pittsburgh ? the 16th time it has rained in 24 scheduled Pirates home dates. ... The Pirates' Lynchburg (Carolina League) affiliate, their top Class-A team, won 35 of its first 46 games before losing 5-2 Friday to Wilmington. Last year, the Hillcats were 58-79. Only one Pirates farm club, short season Class-A Williamsport (46-26) had a winning record last season.




Reds-Braves
CINCINNATI: As per the plan outlined by the Reds, Ken Griffey Jr. did not start against the Braves after making his first start after seven weeks on the disabled list in Friday night's 11-2 loss to Atlanta. Griffey will play every other day to slowly get back into game shape after tearing the tendon in his right knee April 7. His condition will be re-evaluated after a week. Until then, he'll be part of a five-man rotation for four positions, including first baseman Sean Casey. After Friday night's game Griffey said he was fine. ''I'll just come back tomorrow and work out and see how I feel. The biggest thing is not how I feel now, but how I feel tomorrow.'' Apparently, Griffey felt fine. He even lobbied manager Bob Boone to play Saturday night. ''Thank goodness I have the strength (to say no),'' Boone said. Griffey will be available to pinch-hit. ... Reds 2B Todd Walker celebrated his 29th birthday.
ATLANTA: RHP Greg Maddux took a bad-hop grounder on his left wrist during pregame drills. A pressure bandage was placed on the bruise by trainer Dave Pursley, who said Maddux will not miss his scheduled start Sunday. ... RF Gary Sheffield missed his third straight start since slightly pulling his left hamstring Wednesday in Montreal. He said he's available to pinch-hit and might be ready to start Sunday. ... Friday night's win lifted the Braves two games over .500 for the first time this season.




Cubs-Astros
CHICAGO: Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano threw in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. Zambrana, on the disabled lst with a strained right elbow, felt no pain but had control problems. ''He was all over the place,'' manager Don Baylor said. ''I was fearful for my guys I had out there hitting.'' ... The Cubs are 2-0 in extra-inning games this season.
HOUSTON: The Astros have won nine consecutive series against the Cubs dating to 1993, the longest active winning streak in the majors. ... Astros starters had 35 quality starts (six innings, three or fewer earned runs) in 47 starts coming in. They went 17-16 during that span.

 

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Padres-Brewers
SAN DIEGO: Kevin Pickford became the first left-hander to start for San Diego since July 25, 2001, when Sterling Hitchcock lost to Arizona. ... San Diego's recent slump has limited the effectiveness of perhaps its best player. Closer Trevor Hoffman appeared in only three of 17 games coming in. The Padres are 5-12 in that stretch. ... Sunday's starter, Dennis Tankersley, is still looking for his first big league decision. He has a 3.63 ERA over 17 1-3 innings in three starts.
MILWAUKEE: Reliever Curtis Leskanic threw one scoreless inning Friday in a rehab assignment with Double-A Huntsville. His assignment was switched from Triple-A Indianapolis because of cold weather. Leskanic, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was scheduled to pitch again Saturday. ... Another injured reliever, Chad Fox, began a 30-day rehabilitation assignment with Huntsville on Saturday. ... Friday's three-run homer by catcher Marcus Jensen was his first since the 2000 season, when he hit three for Minnesota.




Giants-Rockies
SAN FRANCISCO: Three days after surgery on his right elbow, SS Rich Aurilia threw on the side with trainer Stan Conte. ''There was nothing strenuous,'' Conte said. ''This is the beginning process of the way back for him.'' ... Bobby Estalella isn't the first former Giants catcher to end up with the Rockies. Before Estalella's arrival, there were five other one-time San Francisco catchers ? Brent Mayne, Steve Decker, Kirt Manwaring, Jeff Reed and Scott Servais ? that played for Colorado. ''That explains why (Colorado owner) Jerry McMorris asked if we had any more catchers that we could send over,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ''Guys like Bobby Estalella have done well for them, but you can't build your life around regrets. Other guys have gone somewhere else and done well against their old team.'' ... After a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning off RHP Jose Jimenez, J.T. Snow is 4-for-37 over his last 13 games. Snow was out of the starting lineup with LHP Denny Neagle on the mound. ... In losing for the first time in eight starts, LHP Kirk Rueter gave up more runs ? six ? than he had all year. ... C Benito Santiago has an 11-game hitting streak. ... With three double plays, the Giants lead the majors with 63.
COLORADO:Terry Shumpert was 0-for-9 against Kirk Rueter before his three-run homer in the fifth inning. ''The guy came to me wanting to play,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''Here is a guy who proved you can't always count on what the computer spits out.'' ... RHP Shawn Chacon will have a throwing session on the side at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday and then make a rehab start Wednesday. ''Shawn will throw 75 pitches and we will make an evaluation,'' Hurdle said. Chacon is on the DL with a strained pectoral muscle. Hurdle made it clear that Chacon's return to the Rockies will not mean a bullpen demotion for RHP Denny Stark, who is unbeaten with a 1.35 ERA in three starts as Chacon's replacement in the rotation. ''The bullpen is not an option,'' Hurdle said. ''Stark has always been a starter and will remain a starter.'' ... LHP Denny Neagle has given up seven of Barry Bonds' 584 career home runs. Only Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Terry Mulholland, with eight each, have given up more. ''Guys like that are going to get their home runs,'' Neagle said. ... RHP Chris Nichting earned his first major league win. ... All eight position players reached base for the fourth consecutive game.

 

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Dodgers-Diamondbacks:
LOS ANGELES: LHP Jesse Orosco, who went on the DL May 16 because of a strained left oblique, threw 47 pitches during a strong bullpen session. ''He threw very, very well, with very good movement,'' manager Jim Tracy said. ''He'll throw again on Monday.'' ... SS Alex Cora got the nod to start his fifth game. Cesar Izturis is Los Angeles' regular shortstop, but Tracy liked the percentages of Cora, a left-handed hitter, against Arizona starter Rick Helling. ''This for no other reason than the fact we want to get (Cora) some at-bats,'' Tracy said. ... Shawn Green has hit safely in his last 13 road games, going 9-for-10 in the last two. His five homers and 25 total bases in two games tied major league records. ... The Dodgers purchased the contract of RHP Dennis Springer from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned LHP Jeff Williams to Las Vegas. Williams gave up seven runs in one-third inning against the Diamondbacks on Friday, raising his ERA from 9.00 to 20.25. ... Team president Bob Graziano, Peter and Terry O'Malley of the former ownership, and broadcaster Vin Scully attended a memorial service for Joe Black, the first black pitcher to win a World Series game. Black died May 17 of cancer. Black beat the New York Yankees for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1952 Series.
ARIZONA: Diamondbacks GM Joe Garagiola Jr. and manager Bob Brenly also attended the Phoenix service for Joe Black. ... RHP Mike Morgan, 42, was no worse for wear after being hit on the knee Friday. ''The guy is a medical marvel,'' Brenly said. ''He took a line drive directly off his left kneecap, and he has no swelling at all.'' ... Jose Guillen was in the lineup in RF for the second straight game since regular Danny Bautista tore up his left shoulder Wednesday. Brenly said that might continue, because he wants some right-handed power in a lineup where most of the power comes from the left side. ''It kind of breaks up the lefties in our lineup and forces the opposing manager to make a decision whether he wants to let that lefty face Jose or make another pitching change. Also, we all know about his arm.'' Among the other candidates to start, David Dellucci is a left-hander, and Quinton McCracken is a switch-hitter. ... Curt Schilling, who pitched Friday, leads the majors in strikeouts (114) and wins (9) and has faced 86 batters without issuing a walk.

 

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05.26 Scott Sullivan (P) Cin Scott Sullivan was available to pitch yesterday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reds manager Bob Boone said he would prefer to keep him out of today's game to give his bruised elbow a little more time to fully heal.
05.26 Barry Larkin (SS) Cin Barry Larkin batted sixth yesterday for the first time this season, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I wanted to take the heat of Larkin," Reds manager Bob Boone said. Larkin has only four hits in his last 39 at-bats.
05.26 Jose Rijo (P) Cin Jose Rijo will not start Tuesday, though he may get the nod on Saturday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "But that's not defninite," said manager Bob Boone of the possibility that Rijo would start on Saturday. Rijo will be skipped because he has been getting fatigued early in his starts. He will be available out of the bullpen.
05.26 Josh Beckett (P) Fla The Miami Herald reports that Josh Beckett developed yet another blister on his right middle finger during Friday's start. Marlins trainer Sean Cunningham said Beckett likely will not have to miss a start due to the latest blister.
05.26 Curt Leskanic (P) Mil Curt Leskanic threw 13 pitches in a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance for Double-A Huntsville yesterday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He is expected to be activated early next month.
05.26 Brian Anderson (P) Ari Brian Anderson will start Monday rather Tuesday to give Miguel Batista an extra day of rest, according to the Arizona Republic.
05.26 Miguel Batista (P) Ari Miguel Batista will start Tuesday instead of Monday to give the blister on his right middle finger more time to heal, according to the Arizona Republic.
05.26 Matt Mantei (P) Ari Matt Mantei reported throbbing in his elbow while playing catch yesterday and will not throw again until Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Arizona Republic.
05.26 Tony Womack (SS) Ari Tony Womack credits a change in his batting stance for the recent improvement in his hitting, according to the Arizona Republic. Womack has hit .385 in his last seven games.
05.26 Robert Person (P) Phi Phillies manager Larry Bowa said yesterday that Robert Person would have to show significant improvement in today's rehab start in order to be activated soon, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "If he doesn't go five or six innings, he may have to go another (rehab start)," Bowa said.
05.26 Wade Miller (P) Hou Wade Miller said he plans to come of the DL and start on Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle. However, Astros manager Jimy Williams said he won't make a decision until after Miller throws a bullpen session today.
05.26 Mike Thurman (P) NYA The Yankees have decided to have Mike Thurman start tomorrow's game against the White Sox, according to the New York Daily News.
05.26 Wilson Alvarez (P) TB Wilson Alvarez allowed one run on four hits in five innings yesterday in what should be his last rehab start, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
05.26 Brent Abernathy (2B) TB Brent Abernathy bruised his left wrist Friday, according to the St. Petersburg Times. He said yesterday that the wrist was sore but tolerable.
05.26 Frank Catalanotto (2B) Tex Frank Catalanotto said he was still "aware" of a sore back and groin during drills yesterday, according to the Dallas Morning News. Rangers trainer Danny Wheat said he expects Catalanotto to be symptom-free in the next couple of days.
05.26 Rusty Greer (OF) Tex Rusty Greer started at first base yesterday for the first time since 1995, but may see more time there until Rafael Palmiero can return to the field, according to the Dallas Morning News.
05.26 Mike Holtz (P) Oak The Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers might claim Mike Holtz if the A's place him on waivers. The club has been looking for left-handed pitching.
05.26 Chan Ho Park (P) Tex The Rangers want Chan Ho Park to start Tuesday on three days' rest, but that depends on how quickly he recovers from Friday's start, according to the Dallas Morning News.
05.26 Paul Abbott (P) Sea Paul Abbott reported no pain after throwing a bullpen session yesterday, according to the Seattle Times. Barring a setback, he will throw a simulated game on Tuesday.
05.26 Luis Rivas (2B) Min Luis Rivas will play at least one more extended spring training game tomorrow before beginning his minor league rehab assignment, according to the Pioneer Press.
05.26 Brad Radke (P) Min Brad Radke thew a full-scale bullpen session yesterday for the first time since going on the DL with a strained groin, according to the Pioneer-Press. He reported no pain and is scheduled to throw another session tomorrow. He then will set a target date to return to action.
05.26 Felix Rodriguez (P) SF Giants manager Dusty Baker was noncommittal when asked yesterday if Felix Rodriguez might be in danger of losing his role as setup man for the Giants, according to the Contra Costa Times. "We'll see. I don't know," Baker said. "Everybody goes through bad periods sometimes, for whatever reason." Rodriguez has a 5.23 ERA this season.
05.26 Bob Wickman (P) Cle Bob Wickman still is dealing with his sore elbow and may not be available for today's game, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Wickman said he was unsure if he would go today after saving games the last two days. Indians manager Charlie Manuel said a decision would be made after he meets with Wickman in the morning.