Careful steps protect bullpen  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Though there were two arrivals to the Red Sox clubhouse at the Metrodome yesterday in Alex Cora and Sean Casey, the team made just one roster move.  —  Cora was added to the roster, and was in the lineup at shortstop last night in place of the injured Julio Lugo (concussion).

Wrigley return nothing special for Maddux  —  The drama was taken out of Greg Maddux's return to Wrigley Field this week when he won his 350th game late Saturday, becoming only the third pitcher since the 1920s to do it.  —  San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman handed Maddux the ball after saving a 3-2 victory over Colorado.

Unhappy Stewart looking like odd Jay out  —  CLEVELAND — Shannon Stewart is experiencing a season only a mother could love.  He tried calling her on Mother's Day from the visitors clubhouse, but no answer.  It figures.  His timing seems to be way off in everything.

Howard can't hit what he can't see  —  SAN FRANCISCO - The art of hitting is strangely like sleeping.  Sometimes it comes naturally, almost effortlessly.  Other times it is fitful, nearly impossible.  A ballplayer can't will himself to hit any more than you or I can will ourselves to sleep.

Manny Ramirez meets the ‘Gold’ standard in left  —  MINNEAPOLIS - Forget 500 home runs, Manny Ramirez [stats] has his eyes on another prize - a Gold Glove.  —  But, according to Ramirez, there's one problem.  —  “How am I going to win a Gold Glove if they take me out in the eighth (inning) …

Texas Rangers place Millwood on DL, call up rookie  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - A day after his start lasted just 12 pitches, Kevin Millwood was was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right groin.  —  Right-hander Doug Mathis' contract was purchased …

If Igawa nixed, rain helps rotation  —  DETROIT - Rain washed away the Yankees' Mother's Day series finale against the Tigers, but Mother Nature may have delivered a welcome gift for the Bombers.  —  The rainout gives the Yankees a couple of more days to figure out what to do with Kei Igawa …

Marlins Notebook: Olsen's velocity OK  —  WASHINGTON — Marlins left-hander Scott Olsen said he can't remember ever pitching in a game where his velocity didn't top 90 mph.  It didn't top 87 mph on Sunday.  —  Neither Olsen nor the Marlins sounded worried.

What Are The Odds: Chipper's Quest For .400  —  It's May 11th, and Chipper Jones currently has a .400 batting average.  This has inspired some discussion about whether Chipper can hit .400 for the entire season.  Well, it's obviously a possibility, but how unlikely is it?

Sandberg suspended for three games  —  Chiefs manager serving for role in bench-clearing incident  —  CHICAGO — Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg was suspended three games for his role in a bench-clearing incident last Thursday involving his Class A Peoria Chiefs team and Clinton manager Mike Micucci.

BREAKING NEWS: Delgado's agent is insane  —  From time to time, I get e-mail responses to things I write.  Mostly, they're negative — people who disagree with me, hate me or get a kick out of calling me lewd names.  Lots of times they begin with “I usually agree with you, but...” …

Mariner exec Shaffer taking a look at Griffey  —  There may be more to the Mariners interest in Ken Griffey Jr. than Seattle management has been willing to let on  —  Reports out of New York say that Duane Shaffer, in his first season as a special assistant to Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi …

World Series shot of Babe & Gehrig for sale  —  Once worth a mere thousand words, a vintage picture of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig could bring a record $100,000 at auction.  —  The two Yankees Hall of Famers were captured side by side on the dugout steps in Pittsburgh during the 1927 World Series …