JOBA GONE AT LEAST THREE DAYS  —  YANKEES PITCHER LEAVES TEAM TO BE WITH AILING FATHER  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Joba Chamberlain relased a statement through the Yankees this afternoon to address his father's health, an issue that has caused the reliever to leave the team for the short term.

Pudge helps Tigers earn first home win  —  DETROIT (AP)—Ivan Rodriguez hit a tying two-run triple in a six-run eighth inning then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to lift the high-priced Detroit Tigers to their first win at home this season, 11-9 over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

YOUNG GUNS ARE KILLIN' YANKS  —  Right now the Yankees' biggest problem is not that a Red Sox jersey was buried at the new stadium.  It is that Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are doing a pretty fair imitation of Tyler Clippard and Matt DeSalvo.  —  The Yanks ordered an excavation and the jersey issue …

Formers Braves, Dodgers outfielder Holmes dies  —  BOCA RATON, Fla. — Tommy Holmes, an outfielder for the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 1950s, died Monday.  He was 91.  —  Holmes died of natural causes at an assisted living facility, daughter Patricia Stone said.

Fans Have Not Forgotten, or Forgiven, the Mets  —  No employee in the Mets organization is safe anymore.  Whether it is Johan Santana, their $137.5 million off-season acquisition, or an usher popping a beach ball in the stands, or the left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis, the frustrated fans at Shea Stadium are prepared to boo.

BRAVES REPORT: Shortage of starters worsens  —  The Braves will wait to make a decision whether to put Tom Glavine on the disabled list with his right hamstring strain, but this much was clear Sunday: As deep as their rotation looked breaking spring training, it's looking thinner now.

YANKS PLAN FIRST PITCH FROM SPACE  —  JERSEY NATIVE TO THROW FROM SPACE STATION VS. RED SOX  —  The Yankees today announced that NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman will throw out the ceremonial first pitch from the International Space Station prior to Wednesday's game vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Tulo hopes to get on track after day off  —  PHOENIX — They weren't swings.  More like controlled fits of rage.  —  In batting practice, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki played pingpong with the left-field seats.  It was the only time he hit Sunday, as he was given a breather to clear his head after a difficult start.

Snyder accepts assignment  —  Kyle Snyder, who was designated for assignment April 6, has accepted an assignment to Triple A Pawtucket.  Will be checking in from Cleveland shortly ...  This entry was posted on Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm and is filed under general.

Banny Log 041308  —  Earned runs allowed: 0.  —  Strikeouts: 3  —  Walks: 1  —  Decision: Victory (3-0)  —  Number of pitches: 111  —  Number of strikes: 72  —  BABIP: .115 (3 for 26)  —  Season BABIP: .175 (10 for 57)*  —  *I think I was misfiguring BABIP before — forgetting that strikeouts don't count for BABIP.

Quote: Willie says the Mets are Sloppy  —  The Mets blew a four-run, third-inning lead yesterday, losing to the Brewers while leaving 10 men on base, hitting in to five double plays and making one error in the field, among others on the base paths.  —  Willie Randolph, while looking …