Willie apologizes (updated with his opening remarks)  —  In a surprising development, Willie Randolph delivered a public apology during his pregame session with reporters a few minutes ago.  Randolph read from a sheet of paper with handwritten notes and said he was sorry …

Willis headed to Tigers' bullpen  —  Left-hander activated from DL, available Wednesday  —  DETROIT — Dontrelle Willis is rejoining the Tigers, but he's doing so in the bullpen.  —  The Tigers activated the left-hander from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but manager Jim Leyland announced …

Pedro leaves Mets to be with ill father  —  Pitcher was to throw bullpen session on Wednesday  —  ATLANTA — Pedro Martinez's return to pitching in the big leagues has been delayed by a medical episode involving his father.  —  The Mets pitcher, close to ending his assignment on the disabled list …

Eveland, Cust lead A's past Rays 9-1  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—From about the time he started driving, Dana Eveland began hearing the comparisons to David Wells.  —  “If you're a chubby lefty it always gets you the comparison,” said Eveland, whose back is covered in an “EVELAND” tattoo.

Steinbrenner: Yanks down but not out  —  Co-chairman unhappy with play but optimistic for turnaround  —  NEW YORK — Hank Steinbrenner said Wednesday that he is “very down” about his team's 20-25 start, but the Yankees' co-chairman remains confident that he is still presiding over a playoff-caliber club.

WANG HAS CALF STRAIN  —  Chien-Ming Wang went for an MRI exam today and was diagnosed with a mild strain in his right calf.  Wang is on track to make his next start â" Saturday against Seattle, pending a bullpen session he is slated to throw tomorrow. “  So far they don't think it's of significance,” GM Brian Cashman said.

Church feeling OK  —  Good news on Ryan Church, who just spoke to reporters and said he intends to play either tomorrow or Friday.  Church had a CT scan after Tuesday's game and it came back clear, meaning that the blow to the head did not cause severe damage.

Gagne flying back to Milwaukee  —  Pittsburgh - Until further notice, Milwaukee Brewers closer Eric Gagne has been shut down.  —  Although that further notice could be as soon as today or as late as this weekend or maybe next week depending on how Gagne's stiff right shoulder feels today …

Nice encore by Masterson  —  Red Sox rookie Justin Masterson answered reporters' questions after pitching the Red Sox to victory Monday night.  —  The drama last night in the Fens came in smaller bites.  Instead of nine innings of no hits, there was one bases-loaded whiff …

“Terry Crowley is lucky he's in f*cking baseball” makes it on the air on YES  —  UPDATE (9:34 PM): Minor correction.  This is still bad for YES, but it was not a producer, or anyone on the YES crew, apparently.  It was Earl Weaver in the famous manager's corner clip as an anonymous commenter pointed out.

Revolving Yankee Hurts  —  Alex Rodriguez (0 DXL)  —  A couple of weeks back, I got an angry email saying that, while I was assigning A-Rod a DXL of 15, other sources were saying he was out until the All-Star break.  I was a bit surprised that a simple, well-known injury to the best-known player …

‘Z’ stiff shoulder raises alert  —  CUBS IN BRIEF  —  HOUSTON — The Cubs' medical staff is keeping a close eye this week on pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who has had stiffness in the right shoulder/neck area since his start Saturday against the Pirates.  —  It's not considered serious …

Reyes still considered king of thieves … Peruse the Major League Baseball offensive statistics, and you'll find those home run-hitting, historically lead-footed Boston Red Sox traveling in unexpected circles: They are tied for sixth in stolen bases (40) and are first overall in success rate (85 percent).

Pirates' drafting eye on Alvarez, Beckham  —  List of prospects for No. 2 pick down to just five  —  The Pirates' list of prospects for the No. 2 overall pick in the June 5 draft, which was seven deep a week ago, now is down to a handful.  —  Maybe less.