K-Rod doing "a lot better"

Last night, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was taken to the hospital to be treated for back spasms after the Mets 3-2 win.

Per Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News, K-Rod says he is doing better after being hospitalized

"As soon as the medicine started kicking in, I started feeling a lot better. And by this morning I was doing a lot of things that I wasn't capable of last night," Rodriguez said. "The pain went away and I'm feeling pretty good. Man, that was really painful. I've never experienced anything like this before. I was a little struggling to walk yesterday, but I got some medicine in me and I feel pretty good now."

Through 20 games, K-Rod is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA and is 12 of 12 in save opportunities.

Giambi hits 400th career home run

Oakland A's DH Jason Giambi has done something that only 43 players have done before him.

Giambi hit his 400th career home run off Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren in today's game.

It was the fourth home run of the year for Giambi.

Kazmir, Percival to DL; Price to be called up

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed both starter Scott Kazmir and closer Troy Percival on the 15-day disabled list, according to Marc Lancaster of The Tampa Tribune.

Percival has shoulder tendinitis and Kazmir has a quadriceps strain.

Manager Joe Maddon wonders if Percival, who's 39 and gone home to clear his mind, will be back.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses not to come back," Maddon said. "There's only so much you can do when you get to that age, and he's tried everything possible to put himself back together to be, not just functional, but a very big contributor to us. He's just not feeling that he can be that right now."

Kazmir is leading (in a bad way) the majors in pitches per inning (19.2) and he has an ERA of 11.35 in his previous five starts.

Pitching phenom David Price will likely start on Monday in Kazmir's place.

Twins pound White Sox 20-1

Calling the Twins' 20-1 win over the White Sox today is a gross understatement.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided to "mix things up a little bit" by batting catcher Joe Mauer second in the lineup. And he certainly responded with six runs batted in and a grand slam.

White Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon allowed seven hits and eight runs in two innings. However, only one of the eight runs was earned.

Today's loss matches the biggest loss in White Sox history. The White Sox lost to the Angels 19-0 on May 10th, 2002.

It's been a rough day for the White Sox as Jake Peavy also vetoed a trade today that would have sent him to Chicago.

Peavy says no to White Sox deal

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, the deal agreed upon by the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox to send Jake Peavy to Chicago has been vetoed. The Sun-Times reports that sources indicate Peavy has told the Padres that he won't accept the trade.

Although both teams agreed to the deal, Peavy has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Peavy spoke with his former Padres teammate Scott Linebrink about the team and playing for manager Ozzie Guillen.

"At this point, it's 50-50," Linebrink said, adding he spoke to Peavy with Sox general manager Ken Williams blessings. "It's his decision and his family's, but given the trade rumors that haven't come to fruition, especially with the Cubs, I think he might want to get this behind him. I'm sure it was tough for him to go back [to San Diego, after the near-trade. He's probably ready to put on whatever uniform he's going to have."

Peavy, who prefers to pitch in the National League, has $63 million left on his contract and is due $11 million this season.

Wife of Scott Schoeneweis found dead

According to the Associated Press, the wife of Diamondbacks reliever Scott Schoeneweis was found dead in their home by their 14-year-old daughter.

The cause of death for Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis, who was 39 years old, hasn't yet been determined.

May she rest in peace.

Manuel "could have strangled" Ryan Church

New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he "could have strangled" outfielder Ryan Church, according to Brian Costa of the Newark Star-Ledger.

In another effort to beat themselves, Church failed to step on third base in the 11th inning of their 3-2 loss on Monday.

As Costa points out, it's perceived that Manuel is harder on Church than any other Met even though he claims he does "not have a doghouse."

"I don't know why people think I got a deal with Ryan Church, I really don't," Manuel said. "I don't have a problem with Ryan. Not at all. I like to egg him on and mess with him a little bit like I do with everybody, but I love to see Ryan every day. He comes to the park every day early. I love to see Ryan Church. I don't have a problem with Ryan Church."

Whether or not he really has a "problem" with Church, more times than not perception is reality.

In 37 games, Church is batting .275 and has one home run and eight RBIs.

The Hot Corner, 5/19 edition

According to David Lennon of Newsday, Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado will have hip surgery on Tuesday.

The Mets have also placed Alex Cora on the 15-day DL due to a torn ligament in his thumb.

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks will miss the remainder of the season with a tear in his left wrist.

Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang will throw a bullpen session in front of Yankee coaches to determine his next step: another rehab start or returning to the rotation.

Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez will miss at least two games as his wife undergoes surgery.

"I want to enjoy this moment, but I've got to get there first," [Giants pitcher Randy] Johnson said. "And I've got to pitch well in order to get there." At 298 career wins, Johnson has an ERA of 6.86.

For Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn, the fifth inning is like the first inning for Joba Chamberlain. And last night was no different allowing five runs and five hits including a home run in the fifth inning.

Although Angels pitcher John Lackey gave up five runs (four earned) in five innings in his first game of 3 pitches or more, the Angels beat the Mariners 10-6.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will use Khalil Greene, who is hitting .204 and has a team-high six errors, in a utility role over the near term.

The Royals are bucking the league's attendance trend (-5% on average) and are seeing an increase of 16% from last year for their first 21 home games.

In his first rehab appearance, Kevin Youkilis was 0-for-2.

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who was 7-for-18 against the Nationals this weekend, hopes his struggles are behind him. "It can't be this hard," Rollins said. "You have something that you do during your whole life and for some reason it's like, 'Why can't I do it anymore? What happened that is making this so difficult?' "

The Hot Corner, 5/18 (AM) edition

The Rays have placed outfielder Pat Burrell on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to May 11th)

Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Indians manager Eric Wedge has taken on the personality of his team and is "all over the map."

Both starter Chien-Ming Wang and set-up man Brian Bruney could return to the Yankees within the next few days.

Ethan Skolnick of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the Marlins are more like their 7-and-19 version (over their past 26 games) than their 11-and-1 version (over their first 12 games).

Will practice make perfect for Big Papi? “We’ll see. It was a little out of normal (not playing in three straight games), but I feel good. I feel good. I feel these days off, I did some things where I had to think about them and then an hour later, go ahead and try to do them, you know? Practice it. I feel good.”

In 5 2/3 innings, Cardinals pitcher Todd Wellemeyer walked seven and hit two batters.

Giants pitcher Matt Cain ended the Giants eight-game losing streak to the Mets by pitching six shutout innings and driving in one of the team's runs in their 2-0 victory.

Mets pitcher Mike Pelphrey, who balked three times, says "I think maybe when I get on national TV, I like making a fool of myself. It seemed like I almost had the yips. It was like I was fighting myself to come set because my mind kept telling me to pick the guy off. I went back and watched replays and I balked."

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who went hitless yesterday, saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end.

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu wants his players to take "a more intellectual and less emotional approach to the game," according to Steve Kelley of The Seattle Times.

The Phillies will start Cole Hamels on Tuesday and Jamie Moyer on Wednesday against the Reds.

Twins 3B Joe Crede took batting practice Sunday and manager Ron Gardenhire expects him back in the lineup Monday.

Astros closer LaTroy Hawkins was surprised that his right side hurt since he fell on his left side Saturday. “I’m sore everywhere,” said Hawkins, who was limping. “I feel like I was in a car accident. Just slipped backing up home plate. I got jarred.”

Astros RHP Brandon Backe will make two more rehab starts before being activated.

Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who made a rehab start Sunday, says "'I feel 100 percent. I just had a little problem with my release point. But this week, before my next outing, we'll correct it.'' Manager Lou Piniella hasn't made a final decision on whether Zambrano will start Friday against the Padres.

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter will pitch Wednesday against the Cubs.

Although it's only May, Fox and MLB agreed to air playoff games earlier this year (7:57 p.m. first pitches for weekday games).

The Hot Corner, 5/17 edition

Diamondbacks rookie Gerardo Parra has 13 career at-bats and five hits including two triples and a home run. "He can hit," second baseman Felipe Lopez said. "He can flat-out hit. That's a beautiful swing. He adds a lot to the lineup."

Astros catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez hit his 300th career home run.

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, who hit a walk-off homer in the 10th inning, was the recipient of a whipped-cream pie to the face. It's the third consecutive game that the Yankees have won in their final at-bat.

David Wells calls Clemens "He-lie" as he says Clemens used to call him.

Wells went on to say that the players like A-Rod, Manny, etc. should be banned from the Hall of Fame. “(Even if they) got Hall of Fame numbers, just ban them right out (from) the get-go, I think that would be great. No 50-game suspension. Ban them right away, that would stop it in a heartbeat especially the money they are giving out today it would be incredible if they did that, you wouldn’t have to worry about steroids or HGH.

Roy Halladay picked up another win as the Blue Jays beat the White Sox.

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes missed his fourth straight game.

The Angels 3-0 loss to the Rangers was their first shutout of the season.

Despite today's rainout, Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren will still start Monday's game against the Florida Marlins.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw threw seven no-hit innings until Marlins outfielder Cody Ross doubled off of him in the eighth inning.

A sore forearm has affected Royals shortstop Mike Aviles, who's batting .194 this season. "Mike's never one to make excuses, but he's got a little bit of a stiff forearm that's been bothering him," Hillman said. "Personally, I think it's affected his swing with pitches that typically he could get to."

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton left today's game with a mild groin strain.

Andy Sonnanstine, designated hitter?

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon meant for Evan Longoria to DH while Ben Zobrist plays third base.

However, on the official sheet provided to the umpire before the game, Maddon listed both Zobrist and Longoria at third base.

That meant that Longoria wouldn't be allowed to DH and Rays pitcher Andy Sonnanstine would hit instead. Not only would Sonnanstine hit, but he had to bat third (where Longoria was intended to hit).

Although Sonnanstine recorded his first career extra-base hit during his second at-bat, I'm sure Maddon will be more careful next time.

Lackey ejected Saturday, likely to start Monday?

Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey, who has thrown a total of two pitches in 2009, will likely start Monday against the Seattle Mariners.

"I'm probably going to start [Monday]," Lackey said as he left the field prior to Sunday's series finale against the Rangers. "It will be good to get back out there."

Lackey was ejected from yesterday's game for throwing at Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler. His first pitch was behind the head of Kinsler. His second pitch hit Kinsler in the ribs.

"I was definitely shocked," said Lackey, who missed the first month and a half of the season because of a forearm strain. "I haven't pitched in six weeks, and I was amped up. I was trying to come in on him, but there was no intention at all to hit him or throw behind him."

The question is will Ichiro be ready to duck for Lackey's third pitch of the season.

Mets place Delgado on DL

The New York Mets have placed first baseman Carlos Delgado on the disabled list, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.

In turn, the Mets have called up outfielder Angel Pagan from Triple-A Buffalo to take Delgado's roster spot.

While a decision hasn't been made about hip surgery yet, manager Jerry Manuel doesn't expect Delgado to be back any time soon.

"He tried a number of things to get ready and get some comfort, but he could never find it. So I don't anticipate this being [just] a 15-day thing, in my opinion. I could be wrong, though, and hopefully I am wrong."

The move is retroactive to May 11th.

The Mets will use a three-man rotation to fill Delgado's spot at first with Fernando Tatis, Jeremy Reed and Daniel Murphy.

"We'll continue to play everybody," Manuel said of the three backups. "I think that's important that everybody play. It gives us a lot of flexibility. Whoever's hot and whoever's playing well, that's who we'll go with."

In the past seven games, Delgado was batting .423 (11-for-26).

Is Carlos Delgado done for the year?

Per Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado has several issues with his hip, which puts the rest of this season in jeopardy.

The Mets will make a decision Sunday on Delgado, but he has a small bone spur, impingement and partial tear in his right hip. The impingement can lead to labrum damage and/or degenerative arthritis.

The arthritis is something that could end Delgado's career, according to Hubbuch.

For now, the Mets will likely use Fernando Tatis at first. But manager Jerry Manuel told WFAN that Daniel Murphy may move to first.

In addition to Delgado's health woes, set-up man J.J. Putz has a bone spur in his elbow. If Putz's elbow responds well to a cortizone shot, he'll be ready to return this weekend.

On the season, Delgado was hitting .298 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in. He was hitting .423 in May (eight games).

The Hot Corner, 5/14

All-time hit leader Pete Rose, who's not in the Hall of Fame due to betting, says he'd vote for A-Rod right now. "Would I vote for A-Rod right now based on his record?" Rose said. "Right now, I would. Manny Ramirez? He's not quite there, but he'll get there."

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman saw his hitting streak end at 30 games yesterday. He was 0-for-3 with two walks.

Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring and have recalled outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis.

Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, who had a bullpen session Tuesday, will have another bullpen session on Friday. If all goes well, he will be starting a week after that.

Has 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee regained his Cy Young form? He has an ERA of 1.43 through yesterday's shutout win in his last 44 innings pitched.

White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye and manager Ozzie Guillen were ejected from yesterday's game against Cleveland.

Derek Jeter was out of the lineup Tuesday night, last night and perhaps tonight with a sore right oblique. And he didn't do it "hula-hooping."

Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang threw six scoreless innings for Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre with an effective sinker.

NY Mets streaker Craig Coakley, who faces up to a year in jail and a fine of $5,000, has planned it for the past eight years, according to his sister, per the NY Daily News.

"I'm still trying to get used to pitching in this eighth inning and trying to find some adrenaline because it's not like pitching in the ninth, I'll tell you that," Putz said on WFAN before Wednesday's 8-7 loss in 12 innings to Atlanta. "You just really don't have that heart-pounding sensation. I was talking with a couple of the guys. I think that's where those two or three miles an hour are, that adrenaline."

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is on pace to return from the DL. ''It's encouraging,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''The news was good. He's ready to pitch.''