News and Notes around the League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

INF Ty Wigginton is the team's everyday second baseman with 2B Brian Roberts on the disabled list. But with the lack of production from the Orioles' first basemen this season, Wigginton could be earmarked for an occasional start at first with INF Julio Lugo playing second. Wigginton is likely to play first in an everyday fashion once Roberts returns from the disabled list next month. Wigginton went 1-for-5 as the No. 3 hitter Monday, striking out with the go-ahead run just 180 feet away in the ninth. Well, a .310 batting average and 12 dingers, guess what, they find a place for you hit.

3B Miguel Tejada will not be moved back to shortstop to replace struggling SS Cesar Izturis, manager Dave Trembley said. Trembley said he believes Tejada has adapted better than expected to his new position. It remains possible, though, that if the club were to recall slugging 3B Josh Bell from Class AAA Norfolk, Tejada would move aside for the team's top prospect. Tejada was 2-for-5 with an RBI Monday but grounded out with a chance to win the game in the team's last at-bat. Watch that kid Bell in the minors, when he hits the ball, it just flies off his bat.

BOSTON RED SOX

Jonathan Papelbon made the slow walk from the mound to the dugout after allowing the game-winning two-run home run to the Yankees' Marcus Thames on Monday night in New York.

But the Red Sox closer refused to dwell on it.

"It's just like any other blown save," Papelbon said in a quiet clubhouse after the Red Sox fell to 19-20, 6 1/2 games behind the second-place Yankees in the American League East. "As soon as I get out of here, I'll forget about it and move on to the next pitch. Us closers, it's just the way we go about our business. You forget about it. You move on."

Papelbon had been virtually unhittable lately for the Red Sox. Using his overpowering fastball and mixing in an effective slider and splitter, he had converted nine straight saves this season. Overall, Papelbon had successfully closed 22 straight games and hadn't blown a save since July 30, 2009.

Blowing saves is acceptable in Beantown to the Blue Jays, or the Tigers, but never to the Yankees, so come on Pap, it hurts more to lose that way to the Yankees.

DH David Ortiz continued his May revival when he belted a two-out, solo home run to right field off Yankees RHP Phil Hughes in the fourth inning. After a dreadful April, Ortiz is batting .348 (16-for-48) with six home runs and 14 RBI in 12 games in May. Entering play Monday night, only Baltimore's Ty Wigginton and Toronto's Jose Bautista had more home runs in May than Ortiz, who has done much of his damage after his first at-bat. He was batting .360 (9-for-25) with two home runs and eight RBI when facing a pitcher for the second time in a game.


LOS ANGELES ANGELS

The Angels have seen the kind of damage Vladimir Guerrero can do at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. But now they're on the receiving end.

The Angels are facing their former star for the first time as a Ranger in a two-game series Monday and Tuesday at Arlington, where Guerrero was batting .397 this season and .395 in his career before going 2-for-4 against the Angels on Monday.

"He hit well in a lot of parks, but I think that park was pretty special," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Guerrero's history in Texas.

Vlad, when motivated, and when his knees stopping acing is scary good, and a dead fatball hitter, and the best bad ball hitter since Manny Sanguillen of the Pirates.

Speaking of the Pirates........they still suck

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Phillies welcomed back leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins on Monday night. And manager Charlie Manuel promptly inserted Rollins into the lineup's three hole.

Come again?

Rollins, who missed 29 games due to injury, was critical to the Phillies' 12-2 victory over the Pirates. The All-Star shortstop and former National League MVP had not played since tweaking his hamstring April 12 in pregame warmups.

He filled the spot usually occupied by Chase Utley, who was unavailable due to flu-like symptoms. Shane Victorino remained in the leadoff spot he inherited when Rollins got hurt.

The last thing anyone wants is a clubhouse dilemma for a team that sits atop the NL East standings having won 12 of its last 15 games and four in a row.

For the Phillies, who are batting .335 (52-for-155) in their last four games, it's apparent that Rollins' place in the order is of little relevance. He's going to get his hits because, well, everybody has gotten hits.

Even starting pitcher Cole Hamels.

"This lineup is so versatile," said first baseman Ryan Howard, who went 3-for-5 Monday. "I mean, (Sunday), Cole went out and got a base hit, got an RBI and helped the cause. One through nine, everybody's contributed. I think it's a pretty good problem to have."

Rollins agrees ... sort of.

Manuel said he hadn't made a decision as to who would hit where and when. But if Rollins has his druthers, he'd be No. 1. And soon.

"We've just got to see where it goes," Manuel said. When you start losing, Charlie, you change Jimmy R back to his regular spot.

Recent Developments around the league

Following Tuesday's loss to the Reds, Brewers manager Ken Macha dodged questions about whether Trevor Hoffman would be removed from the closer role.

Macha said he would need to talk to Brewers pitching coach Rick Peterson before addressing Hoffman's status as the closer. While taking responsibility for his poor performance, Hoffman didn't exactly sound like someone who was ready to step aside. "I can’t worry about that," said Hoffman. "I feel prepared and ready to go out there. I’m just not getting it done." Fans shouldn't give up on Hoffman quite yet, but those desperate for saves could do worse than grab Carlos Villanueva just in case.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said there's no timetable for Carlos Zambrano to the starting rotation.

"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," said Piniella. "... I don't know how long it will be. We'd like to get him two or three appearances out of the bullpen stretched out." Zambrano is available to follow Carlos Silva on Tuesday. It's possible he could throw a simulated game on the team's off-day next Monday. There's no obvious candidate to be replaced in the rotation, but, as of now, Tom Gorzelanny seems like the odd-man out.

Stephen Strasburg's start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday has been postponed due to rain.

He'll pitch the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader against Rochester (Twins) on Wednesday. Being pushed back a day shouldn't do anything to affect the possibility of his major league debut on June 4 against the Reds.

I can hardly wait to see what this kid can do in The Show, maybe July is the month, stay tuned.

Finally I leave with this hissy fit story.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't committed to whether Hanley Ramirez will return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

"We'll see," said Gonzalez. Ramirez has yet to apologize to the team for some rather pointed comments following his benching on Monday night. He's blown off enough steam already, so hopefully cooler heads will prevail and the team will be able move forward without any additional public drama.