Kennedy to return Thursday  —  Yankees' fans will not see Kei Igawa the sequel, at least not any time soon.  —  Ian Kennedy will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to pitch Thursday against the Rays.  —  Kennedy will start for SWB tonight in Indianapolis in the first game of a doubleheader …

So long, Julian  —  The Red Sox today activated first baseman Sean Casey today from the disabled list.  To make room for Casey, the team designated pitcher Julian Tavarez for assignment.  The team now has 10 days to either work out a trade for Tavarez or grant him his outright release.

Garcia top hired gun for '08 stretch run  —  The best remaining pitcher on the free-agent market is not David Wells, it's Freddy Garcia.  The righthander, who had surgery to repair his throwing shoulder on Aug. 30, will step on the mound Thursday and begin the final laps to a return that should occur sometime around the All-Star break.

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.

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.

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) …

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.

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 …

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?

Duke, Sanchez lead Pirates past Braves in DH opener  —  PITTSBURGH - Freddy Sanchez's three-run double in the fifth inning broke a scoreless tie, leading Zach Duke and the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates past the Atlanta Braves 5-0 today in the first game of a doubleheader.