Elbow stiffness keeps Lidge out of ninth  —  Phils go with Contreras in final frame of Monday's victory  —  DENVER — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before Monday night's 9-5 victory over the Rockies that he was ready to turn Brad Lidge loose.  —  He then said after the game he wanted to stay away from him.

Beckett's next start delayed  —  He has spasms in his back after BP  —  Manager Terry Francona announced Josh Beckett would be pushed back from tomorrow's scheduled start to Friday to give him a chance to throw a second side session, and to give Tim Wakefield a start.

Pregame notes: Aceves out with bulging disc  —  Until yesterday, the Yankees were optimistic about Alfredo Aceves and his sore back.  Aceves said he felt much better, and manager Joe Girardi thought Aceves was a day or two away from returning to the bullpen.  —  Then Aceves tried to throw yesterday and he felt his back pinch.

Chipper no longer talking about retirement  —  MILWAUKEE - Those wondering what's going through Chipper Jones' head these days vis-à-vis the retirement possibility he mentioned last fall, well, you can stop wondering for the time being.  —  He said he's not thinking about walking away after the 2010 season.

Where Could Alex Gordon Go?  —  Let's face it: if the Royals aren't going to give Alex Gordon a chance to play regularly when they are 11-21, 10 games out of first, and weeks shy of Memorial Day, he has fallen out of favor with the club.  After just 38 plate appearances, the Royals sent Gordon …

Citi Field's Garbage Problem  —  At game time Monday night, the wind at Citi Field blew at 19 miles per hour, strong but not as gusty as it was Saturday and Sunday, when it blew trash in swirls across the field.  —  But trash was evident in the first inning, and it forced the grounds crew …

Morales placed on DL, Francis crisp in Tulsa  —  Franklin Morales hasn't shown consistent fastball command for two weeks.  And last night a reason emerged: shoulder inflammation.  Today, the weakness in the left shoulder caused the Rockies to place him on the DL.  Edgmer Escalona replaces him.

Hillman is failing  —  Trey Hillman hasn't failed.  Not yet, not final, not past tense.  There is still hope.  —  But Hillman is failing.  Right now, in Kansas City's conversation and the present tense.  Hope is fading, and school's not even out.  —  The calls for Hillman's job …

Bourn suspended two games for ump bump  —  Astros center fielder made contact after out call on close play  —  Astros center fielder Michael Bourn was suspended by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for two games and fined for aggressive actions in Saturday's game against the Padres.

Modern pitchers taken to task by legend Jenkins  —  MERRILLVILLE — During his keynote speech at Monday's Meet the RailCats luncheon at the Radisson Hotel, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins lamented the lack of assertiveness on the part of modern pitchers.  —  “In my era, we knocked people on their butt …

Darryl Strawberry bashes Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden for feud with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez  —  ALBANY - Former Mets and Yankees great Darryl Strawberry brushed back mouthy Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden - and his grandmother - for their cracks on Alex Rodriguez.

Mauer returns to Twins' lineup as catcher, not DH … MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer is in the lineup at catcher against the Chicago White Sox for the first time since injuring his heel on April 30.  —  The AL MVP missed eight games with a deep bruise in his left heel.

A Steep Climb to Immortality  —  A-Rod as the Ultimate Home-Run King May Not Be a Sure Thing After All  —  Alex Rodriguez's home-run trots have been infrequent so far this season.  Entering Monday's game, he has hit only three round-trippers.  —  Alex Rodriguez is now seventh …

Final Pitch  —  It's with a great deal of excitement that I'm announcing today that I've taken a job as a Baseball Analyst in the front office of the Cleveland Indians.  I'm thrilled that I'll be joining the great Keith Woolner and Jason Pare in the Indians front office, and I'm excited to contribute to the club.

Javier Vazquez used break from Yankees rotation to improve mentality, mechanics … DETROIT — Javier Vazquez found a safe haven in the right-field bullpen at Yankee Stadium exactly a week ago today, when the troubled right-hander began a process that the Yankees hope will bring an end to a string of disastrous starts.

Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu denies report that Ken Griffey Jr. was sleeping in clubhouse  —  BALTIMORE — Ken Griffey Jr. insisted Tuesday he was available to pinch-hit during a recent Seattle Mariners game, in spite of a report that he was taking a nap.