Baseball Capsules: Manny goes silent and then flees Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Manny Ramirez went silent.

Then, Manny left the building.

The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger made himself scarce in the clubhouse and didn't talk to reporters as he came out for warmups for his final game with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on Thursday night.

Later, with the start of the contest delayed by rain, Ramirez wore street clothes when he walked through a back door of the clubhouse, stepped into a sedan with an associate, Rico Perdomo, and a Dodgers' security official and drove away.

Asked if he would stop for an interview, Ramirez replied: "No, thank you, sir."

Heavy rains hit the ballpark, and the Dodgers made the decision not to suit up Ramirez due to weather and field conditions. The game against Nashville began almost an hour after the scheduled 7:05 start.

"Given what the field looked like at the time and what our reports were in terms of the weather, we just felt it would be better to be safe than sorry tonight," Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng said.

Ramirez kept a low profile after it was disclosed that Major League Baseball is cooperating with a federal investigation into where he got the performance-enhancing drug that resulted in his 50-game suspension.

He had spoken briefly with reporters during his first two days in Albuquerque.

Ramirez was expected to return to California on Friday for four games, beginning Saturday, with the Dodgers' Single-A affiliate at San Bernardino.

"We've got the schedule set," Ng said. "At this point, that's what we're going to follow." The getaway capped a wacky three days for Ramirez in New Mexico, a taste of Mannywood in the minors.

Shortly before batting practice, the Isotopes closed their clubhouse and asked reporters to leave 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. A spokesman confirmed the request originated with Ramirez.

The Dodgers standout had been slated to play seven innings Thursday. Ng said his innings for the California minor league games would be determined later.

For the third day, Ramirez initially was listed atop the Isotopes' lineup in left field. He played four innings in each of his first two games.

Ramirez went hitless in three at-bats with a walk for Albuquerque, but Ng said it was too early to evaluate his performance.

"The most important thing is that he got some at-bats," she said. "He got to play in the field, made a couple of plays last night. He was just trying to get his sea legs under him."

Isotopes manager Tim Wallach said the results are less important than just getting the slugger back on the field.

"I think he looks like Manny Ramirez," Wallach said. "I know when it's time to go, when it really counts, he's going to be ready to go. That's what this is leading up to. He doesn't look any different to me."

Ramirez is scheduled to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3 at San Diego.

Isotopes general manager John Traub said efforts to accommodate Ramirez went smoothly. The club increased its usual security plan and took precautions with crowd control, especially with a threat of rain each day.

"We were ready," Traub said. "Fortunately, we worked hand in hand with the Dodgers."

As for giving Ramirez the superstar treatment, that wasn't a problem.

"Manny came with no airs whatsoever, no expectations, no entourage," Traub said. "I think it says something that he flew in on a commercial flight. The only direction we got was that Manny wanted to be treated like a regular guy. Nothing special."

MLB cooperates with fed probe into Ramirez's drug

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball is cooperating with a federal investigation into where star batter Manny Ramirez got the performance-enhancing drug that resulted in his 50-game suspension.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is checking whether a doctor in Miami and his son were the source of the drug, ESPN reported on Thursday.

MLB president Bob DuPuy confirmed that its department of investigations was working with the DEA. MLB had no additional comment on the probe.

Ramirez was suspended in May for violating MLB's doping rules and can rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3.

The slugging outfielder is playing three games this week with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

ESPN said investigators suspect the prescription for HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, was written by Pedro Publio Bosch, a doctor in Florida since 1976. His son, Anthony Bosch, supposedly worked as a go-between for the doctor and Ramirez, ESPN said.

HCG was added to MLB's banned substances list last year. It is popular among users of performance-enhancing drugs because it can lessen the side effects of ending a cycle of steroids.

National League

Pirates' prospects looking up

PITTSBURGH - Pedro Alvarez and Brad Lincoln are going to the Futures Game, and their future careers in the major leagues might not be far away, either.

Andrew McCutchen is already in the Pirates' lineup. Jose Tabata, if he can find a way to stay healthy, might be only a year or so behind him.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system, devoid of potential difference-making prospects for years, is slowly beginning to turn out the kind of players that team president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington anticipated developing when they were hired nearly two years ago.

There have been some disappointments - third baseman Neil Walker among them - but the Pirates' farm system appears to gradually improving not only in depth, but in the quality of players it is producing.

Here's how the Pirates' top 10 prospects are doing, as rated by industry publication Baseball America before the season began:

1, 3B Alvarez, AA Altoona. Last year's No. 2 overall pick didn't stay long at Class A Lynchburg despite a lower-than-expected .247 average in 66 games, and he homered for the second straight day Thursday - in only his third game in Double-A. The Pirates don't want to rush the former Vanderbilt star to the big leagues prematurely and watch him struggle, but his power bat (16 homers in 69 games) might be too good to keep in the minors for very long.

"It's the same baseball," Alvarez said of moving up. "The other guys get better, but hopefully you get better as well."

2, McCutchen, CF. The Pirates promoted McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis after trading 2008 All-Star Nate McLouth to Atlanta on June 3, and all he's done is flash the kind of speed they haven't had in years.

McCutchen had five triples in his first two weeks in the majors and was hitting .322 going into Thursday night's game against Cleveland. He gets to more balls than Gold Glove center fielder McLouth did, and he hasn't looked overmatched offensively.

"I'm just trying to keep doing what's worked for me," McCutchen said. "I'm not trying to change anything."

3, Jose Tabata, OF, AA Altoona. The 20-year-old Tabata hasn't had the season he anticipated (.250, 1 homer, 12 RBIs in 26 games), partly because of a strained hamstring. He also was troubled by his much-older wife's arrest during spring training on kidnapping charges in Florida. It's obvious he can hit (he had a .348 average at Altoona last year); now, he needs to stay healthy and not be distracted by off-field issues.

4, Brad Lincoln, RHP, AAA Indianapolis. Lincoln and Alvarez were chosen Thursday to play in the Futures Game for top major league prospects July 12 in St. Louis, two days before the All-Star game. Here's why: a 2.28 ERA in 13 starts at Altoona and a strong debut at Indianapolis on Wednesday, when he allowed two hits - as many as he had himself- in six innings. The Pirates have a long list of failed pitchers drafted in the first round, but Lincoln could be the exception.

5, Bryan Morris, RHP, A Lynchburg. Acquired in the Jason Bay trade last summer, the Dodgers' 2006 first-rounder has been hurt most of the season. When he has pitched, the 22-year-old has been effective, going 2-1.

6, Walker, 3B, AAA Indianapolis. Five years after the Pirates chose the hometown catcher in the first round, he's yet to make it to the majors - and he's a third baseman, the position also played by Alvarez and Pirates starter Andy LaRoche. He's hitting .239 with seven homers in AAA, a year after he had only a .242 average. Walker, 23, is currently sidelined by a sprained knee, and he's also looking over his shoulder at Alvarez.

7, Jeff Sues, RHP, AA Altoona. His good season a year ago (4-2, six saves in A and AA) made him the Pirates' minor league pitcher of the year in a field with not much competition. He's regressed this season while playing for a poor-record team, going 1-5 with a 6.02 ERA; Indianapolis reliever Chris Bootcheck (12 saves) is pitching much better.

8, Shelby Ford, 2B, AAA Indianapolis. Has slumped all season, hitting .163 with a .216 slugging percentage and only one homer in 55 games.

9, Daniel McCutchen, RHP, AAA Indianapolis. The other McCutchen, picked up from the Yankees like so many other pitchers in the Pirates' system, is 5-5 with a 4.34 ERA in 13 starts but allows nearly a hit per inning. The Pirates already have too many starters in their system who do that.

10, Robbie Grossman, OF, A West Virginia. He was given a $1 million signing bonus last year as a sixth-round pick to prevent him from going to college, and the Pirates haven't been disappointed. The 19-year-old has a .295 average and 22 stolen bases in low Class A and could be moving up to a higher level soon; he's hitting .358 in June.

Because the list was assembled last winter, it does not include outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, the Altoona outfielder added in the McLouth trade. He started only 3-for-34 at Altoona, but hit .316 in Double-A for the Braves.

-- Alan Robinson

Pirates send slumping Snell to minors

PITTSBURGH - Ian Snell, the Pittsburgh Pirates' No. 2 starter, has been demoted to the minors after winning only once in his last 12 starts.

The former 14-game winner was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday to work on throwing more first-pitch strikes and improving his breaking ball.

Snell is 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA in 15 starts, allowing 87 hits in 80 2-3 innings.

"We're going to try to help Ian Snell reach his potential because it is still in there. We've seen glimpses of it, and that's why he's remained in the big leagues," general manager Neal Huntington said. "It's still in there, but as to how we reach it, we're not quite sure just yet."

Virgil Vasquez will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Friday against Kansas City, with rookie Charlie Morton, who has been bothered by tightness in his left hamstring, moving back to Sunday.

Snell's demotion means the Pirates' top two starters at the beginning of the 2008 season, Tom Gorzelanny and Snell, will be at Indianapolis. Gorzelanny was sent down at midseason last year and has spent all but a couple of weeks in Triple-A this season.

After going 14-11 in 2006, Snell was 9-12 with a 3.76 ERA in 2007. He was the Pirates' opening-day starter in 2008 after signing an $8 million, three-year contract, but slipped to 7-12 with a 5.42 ERA, allowing 201 hits and walking 89 in 164 1-3 innings. He is 11-27 with a 5.24 ERA in his last 61 starts.

Snell said it was his choice following several nights of discussion with Huntington and manager John Russell to go down.

"I just felt like it was the best decision for me and this team," he said. "I went with my gut, and I feel like I need to work on some stuff. I'm not going to be able to do it here. There's too much negativity, and I don't want to be a negative person. ... I don't want to ruin this team."

Gorzelanny and Jeff Karstens, who was recently demoted to the bullpen, are options if the Pirates need another starter soon, Huntington said.

Attanasio says Brewers can be buyers

MILWAUKEE - Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio suggested Thursday that Milwaukee may be active in the upcoming trade market and take on more salary if needed.

"We still have flexibility, we're a buyer, not a seller," Attanasio told The Associated Press.

General manager Doug Melvin has declined to address rumors with about a month to go before the July 31 trade deadline, only saying it was nearly impossible he'd consider dealing top prospects Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar. But Attanasio said Melvin has spoken to several clubs in the past three weeks.

It's thought that the Brewers are most interested in acquiring a starting pitcher for their thin rotation after Manny Parra was demoted to Triple-A Nashville and Dave Bush was placed on the disabled list this week after being hit by a line drive.

But Attanasio also mentioned bolstering the infield after second baseman Rickie Weeks (wrist) had season-ending surgery. Milwaukee has used a platoon of 38-year-old veteran Craig Counsell and Casey McGehee in Weeks' absence.

"We knew when Rickie went down we would need a little bit of help because he meant so much to our team. But, one of the things that's worked so well in baseball that (Commissioner) Bud Selig's put in with the wild card is just about everybody but two or three teams are in it," Attanasio said.

The Brewers are often mentioned in trade rumors because of their deep farm system and Melvin's deal last July to acquire pitcher CC Sabathia for four prospects. Sabathia, now with the Yankees, helped propel Milwaukee to its first postseason appearance in 26 years.

That's helped the Brewers stay competitive financially despite the economic downturn, something Attanasio is keenly aware of as an investment banker.

With a payroll of more than $80 million this season, Milwaukee is averaging more than 37,000 fans per game through 33 games, keeping the franchise on pace to draw 3 million fans for the second straight season.

"We've got such phenomenal fan support that we've managed to be OK," Attanasio said. "I think it's because it's fun and so when people decide what they're going to reduce out of their lives, this will probably be one of the last things they take away."

Attanasio spoke after he and his wife, Debbie, were honored in Milwaukee as COA Youth and Family Center's 2009 Parents of the Year for the work they've done with school-aged children through Brewers charities.

"We're really delighted with the support we got," Attanasio said. "Especially in a tough time like this, we feel it's very special."

-- Colin Fly

Brewers' homers lower some ticket prices by $12

MILWAUKEE - After hitting 12 home runs during a Dollars for Dingers promotion, the Milwaukee Brewers have lowered some ticket prices by $12 for an upcoming two-game series against St. Louis.

Thanks to the Brewers' dozen homers during a nine-game stretch that ended Thursday, the price of a loge ticket in the outfield for the games on July 7-8 will be reduced to $16.

The Brewers ran a similar promotion last month, where every victory lowered the loge price for a series against Colorado earlier this month. The final price was $18, and those tickets sold out in about 30 minutes.

Brewers hold first of 3 block parties Saturday

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers will hold the first of three block parties this summer on Saturday at Village Park in Brown Deer.

The free event lasts two hours beginning at 11 a.m. and includes appearances by about 10 players and coaches. Among those scheduled to appear are ace Yovani Gallardo, starting shortstop J.J. Hardy and starting right fielder Corey Hart.

The players and coaches will participate in a brief question and answer session before signing autographs.

Along with the Brewers representatives, Bernie Brewer and the Racing Sausages will also attend. Free hot dogs, soda and potato chips will be provided for about 300 people.

Nats president calls himself the 'village idiot'

WASHINGTON - The president of the worst team in baseball is going through his "village idiot phase."

Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten took the optimistic but self-deprecating approach when he appeared Thursday before the National Press Club. It was probably his only recourse, given that his team began the day 29 games under .500.

"I'm currently in my village idiot phase in Washington," Kasten said. "Until we see the record on the field, it's easy to be critical, it's easy to be impatient. I totally understand it."

Kasten offered support tinged with a bit of uncertainly when asked about manager Manny Acta, whose status has been the subject of constant speculation. Acta has a contract option for 2010 that has not been exercised by the Nationals.

"I happen to be a real fan of his," Kasten said. "I think he has the demeanor to be a long-term solution as a manager, the demeanor of a Bobby Cox. ... I can't predict whether it's going to work here, but I think it will. He still has the potential to be a long-term manager here and that's my hope."

Kasten said he's been the village idiot before, when he was helping rebuild the Atlanta Braves some 20 years ago. He said he's using "exactly the same blueprint" with the Nationals as he did back then, building the franchise around a young pitching staff.

"I think we've followed a course that has us very close, much closer than you would think than just looking at the standings. ... Once we get a consistent, stable, mature and ready-to-go rotation of pitching, anything is possible," he said.

Kasten conceded that the present state of the franchise is frustrating. The defense and bullpen are notable disappointments, along with the development of overseas players. In addition, the recession has put the selling of naming rights for Nationals Park "very much on the back burner," depriving the team of what had been expected to be a reliable revenue source.

Washington's starting rotation consists of four rookies and one second-year player, and there are some noteworthy prospects in the minors. The team also is working to sign No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, the most promising pitcher to emerge from college in many years. Once the team has settled on a rotation of "five final guys," as Kasten called it, he hopes he'll be able to shed the village idiot joke.

"Another year or two, and I'll think you'll stop calling me bad names," he said.

-- Joseph White

Cubs C Soto tested positive for marijuana at WBC

DETROIT - Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto will not be suspended by Major League Baseball or his team after testing positive for marijuana at this year's World Baseball Classic.

Soto, last season's NL Rookie of the Year, drew a two-year ban from international competition by the International Baseball Federation.

"I am embarrassed by my lapse in judgment," he said in a statement released during Thursday's 6-5 loss to Detroit. "While I fully acknowledge my inappropriate behavior, I want to assure my fans and my family that this was an isolated incident."

"I fully understand the ramifications of my actions," Soto said. "I have and will accept any and all consequences."

Soto hit .285 with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs last year and started the All-Star game.

In March, he represented Puerto Rico in the WBC. The 26-year-old Soto is hitting .227 with six homers and 21 RBIs this year, and struck out with a runner on second to end Thursday's loss.

Soto's result will be treated by MLB like a first-time positive test. There is no suspension, but players can be fined and are subject to medical review.

"Geovany assured the organization this was an isolated incident and a misstep in judgment that will not be repeated," the Cubs said in a statement. "Though surprised and disappointed, the club supports Geovany as he takes responsibility for his actions and accepts the consequences."

The team also said the positive test was the first for Soto, who was subject to testing in the minor leagues.

Struggling Rollins not to start at least 2 games

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Struggling Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be out of the starting lineup at least two games.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel made the announcement before Thursday's game at Tampa Bay.

Rollins is hitless in his last 19 at-bats. He's hitting .211 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 68 games this season.

Manuel said he wants Rollins to "sit and watch and relax."

Rollins didn't stop to talk with reporters after the Phillies took batting practice Thursday.

"We've got to get him feeling right," Manuel said. "We've got to get Jimmy right. I'll talk with him (Friday) and see where we're at."

Also, the Phillies moved up left-hander Cole Hamels next start from Saturday to Friday at Toronto. The move will give the left-hander one additional start before the All-Star break. J.A. Happ will pitch Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Phillies closer Lidge reinstated from DL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list.

The team announced the move Thursday. The right-hander had been out with a sprained right knee since June 7, after starting the season 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA and 13 saves in 19 chances.

Lidge was 48 for 48 in save chances last year, including the postseason.

The Phillies also optioned left-hander Sergio Escalona to Triple-A Leigh Valley.

Phillies' Bastardo injured against Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Philadelphia rookie left-hander Antonio Bastardo left Thursday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning because of a sprained pitching shoulder.

Bastardo, who gave up six runs in the first two innings to waste a 4-0 lead, was removed after walking Carl Crawford with one out. He was replaced by Chad Durbin.

Padres to send down LeBlanc, bring Perdomo back

SEATTLE - The San Diego Padres plan to option pitcher Wade LeBlanc to Triple-A Portland and bring pitcher Luis Perdomo off the disabled list.

San Diego manager Bud Black made the announcement after the Padres' 9-3 loss in Seattle on Thursday, although the moves aren't expected to become official until Friday.

LeBlanc was the losing pitcher Thursday. He lasted just 1 1-3 innings, giving up a leadoff home run to Ichiro Suzuki and a bases-clearing double to Rob Johnson as part of a four-run first inning for the Mariners.

Perdomo has been on the disabled list since June 8 with a strained left knee. He's 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in 14 games this season.

Cubs place Johnson on DL, activate Freel

DETROIT - The Chicago Cubs have activated utility player Ryan Freel from the disabled list before Thursday's game with the Detroit Tigers.

Freel, who is hitting .167 in 10 games for the Cubs since being acquired from Baltimore on May 8, went on the disabled list on May 28 with a strained hamstring.

The Cubs placed outfielder Reed Johnson on the disabled list, retroactive to June 21, with back spasms. 

American League

Girardi: 'Alex feels good,' will face Mets

ATLANTA - Alex Rodriguez should be in the lineup this weekend when the Yankees play their first games at the Mets' new Citi Field.

"It's our home city, and I think our guys enjoy the Subway Series," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday before New York played the Atlanta Braves. "Alex feels good, feels like he's got a lot of energy in his legs. He feels good, so we'll let him keep going."

A-Rod then went out and showed his manager how well his surgically repaired hip was feeling, hitting his 563rd home run to tie Reggie Jackson for 11th place all-time with a solo shot in the first inning.

Girardi said he and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman discussed Rodriguez's recovery from the surgery in March with team physician Christopher Ahmad on a conference call earlier Thursday.

According to Girardi, Ahmad said Marc Phillipon, the Colorado specialist who operated on the $275 million third baseman, doesn't think Rodriguez needs one off day a week as the team indicated recently.

Rodriguez's two-run single in the sixth inning of an 8-4 victory Wednesday over Atlanta snapped a 1-for-25 slump that had dropped his average to .204.

Girardi added that he and several members of the Yankees' staff have stressed to Rodriguez that he must tell the team if he doesn't feel 100 percent.

"We have pounded that home to him, more than one person," Girardi said. "He completely understands this. I'm trying to get guys a little recharged."

Rodriguez returned May 8 from the surgery and didn't miss a game until last Friday at Florida. Girardi said Rodriguez was dealing with "fatigue," and the three-time AL MVP appeared only as pinch hitter on Saturday.

Girardi added that he doesn't plan to use designated hitter Hideki Matsui in the outfield against the Mets because of his knees. During the first four games of the Yankees' current NL road trip, Matsui has pinch hit four times, going 1 for 2 with two walks.

Matsui hasn't played in the outfield this year.

Against the Braves on Thursday, Girardi held Robinson Cano out of the lineup so he could rest a sore left wrist. Cody Ransom took his place.

Outfielder Melky Cabrera also rested to overcome flulike symptom, but Girardi said he was available to hit.

Mariners put SS Betancourt on disabled list

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners placed starting shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after he pulled his hamstring running out a ground ball the previous night.

Betancourt injured the lower part of his right hamstring after hitting a ground ball in the eighth inning in Wednesday night's 4-3 win over San Diego. Betancourt was on crutches in the Mariners' clubhouse before Thursday's game and manager Don Wakamatsu said it will be at least 15 days before Betancourt is recovered.

He won't be eligible to come off the DL until July 10, just three games before the All-Star break.

"We talked about it in spring training, good organizations, and as we move forward and we add more depth, that's how you sustain and win championships, you cover these," Wakamatsu said. "We're awfully thin right now."

Betancourt was the third Seattle player to go on the DL in the past 10 days, joining pitcher Erik Bedard and outfielder Endy Chavez.

The corresponding roster move was easy for Wakamatsu. Second baseman Jose Lopez, who was on the bereavement list to attend the funeral of his sister in Venezuela, returned to Seattle on Wednesday night and was back in the starting lineup Thursday.

Lopez missed the previous six games.

Betancourt, the Mariners' talented shortstop who flustered fans with his struggles to make routine plays, was hitting .250 with two homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games this season. Wakamatsu said Ronny Cedeno would get most of the starts at shortstop in Betancourt's absence.

The Mariners also plan on activating catcher Kenji Johjima from the DL on Friday. Johjima was back with the Mariners on Thursday and traveling with the team to Los Angeles where Seattle opens a three-game series with the Dodgers on Friday.

Johjima completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, catching all nine innings. He's been on the DL since May 26 after fracturing the big toe of his left foot. Wakamatsu intends on having Johjima start on Friday.

The Mariners are also delaying the return of Bedard. Expected to return in New York next week, Wakamatsu said it's now likely Bedard won't start again until July 4 in Boston.

Bedard was placed on the DL on June 17, retroactive to June 8, with inflammation in his left shoulder.

Lopez left the team June 17 hoping to get home to Venezuela in time to see his ill sister, who had cancer. She passed away before he arrived back in his native country, but was able to attend the funeral.

Lopez also lost his brother in a motorcycle accident during the 2007 season. He was the third Mariners player to be called away recently to deal with a death in the family, joining first baseman Russell Branyan and catcher Rob Johnson.

"I've just never been around when a team's been struck with three in one week," Wakamatsu said.

-- Tim Booth

Rays sit Longoria against Phillies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria was held out of the lineup for Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies because of a hamstring injury the Rays don't think is serious.

The 2008 AL rookie of the year felt "slight soreness" in his left hamstring while running out a sixth-inning double Wednesday night. He was removed from the game after playing in the field the next inning.

"I was a little bit surprised," Longoria said of the decision to sit him Thursday. "I guess they made up their mind already last night that I wasn't going to play."

Manager Joe Maddon said the move was precautionary and that he expects Longoria to be back in the lineup Friday for the start of a weekend series against the Florida Marlins. He said the third baseman would be available to pinch hit against the Phillies.

"I just thought it would be wise to do it this way," Maddon said.

Longoria is batting .309 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs. He was replaced at third base by Willy Aybar.

Indians' Wedge addresses future with Indians

PITTSBURGH - Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge is focused on winning, not the talk about his job status.

"I get the questions pretty consistently right now, whether it be TV, radio or print," Wedge said Thursday before the Indians faced the Pirates. "It just comes with the territory. I'm not comfortable with anything right now. My only focus right now is to try to win this game and win this series and get our bullpen figured out and get some of these other guys back healthy."

With his Indians having lost seven of eight and in last place in the American League Central with the league's worst record (30-43), Wedge has had to answer the questions about his job stability more frequently.

"I don't spend any energy on it unless I have to. It's my job, and that's part of it," he said.

Wedge is 526-519 with the Indians but he has had only two winning seasons. After the Indians won the division title in 2007, they slumped to 81-81 last season.

Wedge said that he has not discussed his job security with general manager Mark Shapiro or anyone in the ownership group.

"Mark and I continue to talk daily like we always have," Wedge said. "We've had conversations about everything, but I don't think they're ever any guarantees in this game, that's kind of the way I look at it."

Twins' Punto will have MRI on sore ribs

MILWAUKEE - Minnesota Twins infielder Nick Punto has returned to Minneapolis and is scheduled to have an MRI on his sore ribs.

The procedure is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Punto's ribs have been bothering him since he left Saturday's loss to Houston, but he played in the first game of this week's series in Milwaukee on Tuesday night and felt significant pain.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Punto decided to play after originally being diagnosed with bruised ribs, but it felt "like he had a knife in the ribs."

Off-duty officer shoots 2 in lot after Angels game

ANAHEIM, Calif. - An off-duty police officer shot and wounded two men who had assaulted him in a crowded stadium parking lot after a Colorado Rockies-Los Angeles Angels game, authorities said Thursday.

The officer, who was walking to his car with his wife and two small children about 25 minutes after Wednesday night's game, was hit in the head with beer bottles, police Sgt. Tim Schmidt said.

The officer called a dispatcher at his department and asked for help, saying two men had choked him and asked him to get away from his car, Sgt. Rick Martinez said.

The officer then shot the men with his duty weapon, Martinez said. Carlos Velasquez, 25, a Camp Pendleton Marine, and his brother, Jose Velasquez, 22, were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Police were looking for a third suspect.

Velasquez was shot in the chin and was in critical condition. His brother was shot in the upper arm and was in good condition, police said.

The officer was treated at hospital for a head wound and released, Martinez said. Authorities did not disclose the identify of the officer.

No one else in the parking lot was hurt, Martinez said.

The Orange County District Attorney's office joined the Anaheim Police department in investigating the incident, which is required in officer-involved shootings.

The Angels had beaten the Rockies 11-3 earlier in the evening.

Rachel Cordova was among the startled and confused fans in the parking lot.

"We heard three shots and turned around and I thought, 'Those are gun shots,'" Cordova told KNX radio. "One of the guys I was with said 'No, it's not' but then we heard sirens."

Cordova said she then walked toward the scene.

"I left there and saw a young, maybe 20-year-old male laying on the ground without his shirt, and they were attending to him," she said.

Angels spokesman Tim Mead said he is still waiting for details from the police before he can say whether any changes in security should be made.

"Our security is outstanding," he said. "All the security in the world and sometimes an incident happens."

The shooting was one of three major violent incidents at Southern California ballparks this season. A man died two days after getting into a fight on opening day at Angel Stadium in April, and another man was stabbed multiple times at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles after that team's home opener but survived.

Elsewhere

Alvarez highlights U.S. roster for Futures game

NEW YORK (AP) - Pedro Alvarez, taken by Pittsburgh with the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft, highlights the U.S. roster for next month's Futures game to be played during the All-Star festivities.

Alvarez, the Pirates' top prospect and third baseman of the future, was promoted to Double-A Altoona of the Eastern League on Monday.

The Futures Game brings together many of the top prospects in the minor leagues with the U.S. squad taking on the World squad. It'll be held July 12 at Busch Stadium, two days before the major league All-Star game.

Also scheduled to play are Phillies right-hander Kyle Drabek, son of former pitcher Doug Drabek; Rockies prospect Eric Young, son of former infielder Eric Young; and Athletics minor leaguer Jemile Weeks, the brother of Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith and St. Louis third base coach Jose Oquendo will serve as managers for the game. Smith, who spent most of his career with the Cardinals, will guide the U.S. team, while Oquendo will lead the World squad.

Among other top prospects scheduled to participate include: lefties Brian Matusz (Orioles) and Madison Bumgarner (Giants), right-hander Casey Kelly (Red Sox), catcher Jason Castro (Astros), infielders Brett Wallace (Cardinals) and Danny Espinosa (Nationals) and outfielders Jason Heyward (Braves) and Mike Stanton (Marlins).