Sunday, May 11, 2008

Vernon Wells will go from leading the Blue Jays in home runs and RBI to leading the team in cheers.

The two-time all-star outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a broken left wrist and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. He was injured while making a diving catch Friday night.

On Thursday, IFs David Eckstein and John McDonald went on the DL with a strained right hip flexor and sprained right ankle, respectively.

The loss of Wells, batting .281 with five homers and 24 RBI, is the latest blow to a club that has averaged only 3.1 runs and scored more than five just once in its last 23 games.

· A-ROD UPDATE: Alex Rodriguez is making progress in his rehab from a strained right quadriceps, and the third baseman could rejoin the Yankees late next week.

"So far, so good," Rodriguez said yesterday in Tampa.

The three-time AL MVP is scheduled for an MRI exam tomorrow and is eligible to come off the 15-day DL Thursday.

If he gets the go-ahead after his MRI he could be cleared to start playing rehab games in extended spring training.

C Jorge Posada took batting practice for the second time since going on the DL on April 28 with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

· COLON UPDATE: Red Sox P Bartolo Colon allowed one run and four hits in three innings during a rehab start for Class AAA Pawtucket in its 4-2 win over the Norfolk Tides.

The 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner, who signed a minor league deal with Boston during the offseason, threw 36 of 49 pitches for strikes and topped out at 94 mph in Pawtucket, R.I.

Colon strained his right oblique muscle and was placed on the DL list April 7, a setback in his attempt to return to the big leagues with the Red Sox.

· MILLWOOD HURT: Rangers RHP Kevin Millwood left last night's game against visiting Oakland in the first inning with a right groin strain.

After throwing a pitch to Jack Cust, Millwood bent down and placed his hands on his knees. Rangers C Gerald Laird immediately signaled for the team's medical staff.

Millwood tossed a warmup pitch before exiting.

-- From News Services