Cleveland Indians' Shin-Soo Choo(notes) runs to first base after hitting a game-winning single off Kansas City Royals Kyle Farnsworth(notes) in the tenth inning during a baseball game Thursday June 11, 2009, in Cleveland. The Indians won 4-3 in ten innings." align="left" border="0">

Coco Crisp thought he still had a chance to get to Shin-Soo Choo's bouncing base hit. A bird beat him to it. The ball flattened a low-flying gull in the 10th inning and rolled past Kansas City's center fielder and Mark DeRosa scored from second base without a throw to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-3 win over the Royals on Thursday night.

Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa reacts after being called out on strikes during a baseball game against Cincinnati Reds in Chicago. DeRosa was traded to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, for three minor league pitchers. " align="left" border="0">

After some debate and a trade, the Cleveland Indians have decided not to shift their infield. The club acquired versatile infielder Mark DeRosa to place third base on Wednesday, trading three minor leaguers to the Chicago Cubs. They dealt pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub for DeRosa, who played six different positions for the NL Central champions.

Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano hits to earn his 700th career RBI during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, in St. Louis. Teammates Mark DeRosa and Felix Pie scored on the play. " align="left" border="0">

Ted Lilly took manager Lou Piniella's demand to heart that the Chicago Cubs roll up their sleeves and finish off the NL Central competition. The left-hander matched his season best with eight sharp innings and took out St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina in a collision at home in the Cubs' 4-3 victory, only their second win in nine games.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster pitches against the Washington Nationals in the third inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. " align="left" border="0">

Ryan Dempster has a shot at 20 wins. He's much more focused on the Chicago Cubs' 100-year championship drought. Dempster matched a career high with his 15th victory and Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of three-run homers, leading Chicago over the Washington Nationals 9-2 on Saturday. Mark DeRosa homered in his third straight game and Alfonso Soriano added an RBI double for the Cubs, who improved to 48-19...

Chicago Cubs' Ronny Cedeno hits into a double play during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in Chicago. Mark DeRosa scored on the play. The Cubs won 5-1. " align="left" border="0">

The Chicago Cubs have a solid starting rotation with Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster, and manager Lou Piniella just loves Ted Lilly, too. Lilly pitched 6 1-3 solid innings, Reed Johnson had three hits and the Chicago Cubs bounced back from a rare home loss, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs outfielders Alfonso Soriano, left, Reed Johnson, center, and Mark DeRosa celebrate after defeating the Florida Marlins 6-3 in a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2008, in Chicago. " align="left" border="0">

Despite a number of key injuries, manager Lou Piniella and the Chicago Cubs have found a way to stay on top of the NL Central. Carlos Zambrano pitched seven solid innings and the Cubs snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Florida Marlins with a 6-3 victory Thursday night. After a 2-4 road trip, the Cubs got home runs from Henry Blanco and Ronny Cedeno and a two-run double from Aramis Ramirez to...

Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa celebrates with teammate Ryan Theriot, left after scoring the winning run against the San Francisco Giants in the 11th inning of a baseball game on Saturday, July 12, 2008, in Chicago. The Cubs won the game 8-7. " align="left" border="0">

Rich Harden left his Cubs debut to a standing ovation with Chicago ahead by seven runs. The game, however, was far from over. Harden struck out 10 for the Cubs, who gave up two runs in the eighth and then blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning before beating the San Francisco Giants 8-7 Saturday on Reed Johnson's single in the 11th.

Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa, left, celebrates with Ronny Cedeno after the Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants 9-2 in a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, June 30, 2008. DeRosa hit a grand slam and also a two-run homer to match his career high with six RBIs. " align="left" border="0">

Mark DeRosa and Ted Lilly got the Chicago Cubs back on track -- DeRosa with two fine swings and Lilly with another impressive outing. DeRosa hit a grand slam and also a two-run homer to match his career high with six RBIs, Lilly pitched eight shutout innings and the Cubs ended a four-game skid with a 9-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night.

Colorado Rockies' Jeff Baker walks back to the dugout after the top of the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2008, in Chicago. Baker had a team-record four doubles, including one in the first inning, but the Cubs won 10-9. " align="left" border="0">

Mark DeRosa figured it was going to be one of those days. The Colorado Rockies jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and seemed to be taking batting practice against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. "Early on we were like, 'It's going to be rough,' but the way the wind was blowing you never know. They got some runs on fly balls to left field as well.

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa returned to the starting lineup on Monday, 1 1/2 weeks after a procedure in Chicago to correct an irregular heartbeat.

DeRosa's procedure took about an hour on Feb. 28. It involved using electrical energy to destroy tissues in the heart that were causing the rhythmic disturbances.

The 33-year-old infielder experienced an irregular, rapid heartbeat on Feb. 23 during infield drills and spent a night in a Mesa, Ariz., hospital before returning to Chicago for evaluation.

DeRosa previously said he'd had the condition since he was a teenager.

Briefly

Rays:Pitcher Scott Kazmir, sidelined the past two weeks with an elbow strain, threw a bullpen session and hopes to make his first spring training start as soon as Sunday against Detroit. The defending AL strikeout champion also thinks he still has plenty of time to get ready for an Opening Day start but said he won't rush his return.

Braves:Right-hander Mike Hampton will pitch Wednesday as scheduled, but in a simulated game rather than that night's exhibition Hampton, who missed the past two seasons because of elbow operations, left his start Friday against Detroit because of a strained groin.

Tigers:Detroit ace Justin Verlander threw three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking none in a 4-3 win over the Nationals. Verlander has pitched eight scoreless innings in the exhibition season.

Astros:Second baseman Kazuo Matsui was in Houston to see a doctor about a health problem that has been bothering him for most of spring training. He was diagnosed with an anal fissure and his medicine to treat the problem was changed. He is expected to be out four to five days.

Dodgers:Manager Joe Torre and a split squad of Dodgers will leave today for Orlando to catch their flight to Beijing. The team will work out and visit the Great Wall of China on Friday before playing a two-game weekend series against the Padres.

Diamondbacks:Randy Johnson was happy to pitch without pain. Still, he was disappointed with the results of his first outing since back surgery. The Big Unit gave up three runs and four hits, including a three-run homer by Chris Iannetta, in 1 1/3 innings in Arizona's 10-9 win over the Rockies. Johnson walked one and struck out one.

Roger Clemens arrived at the Houston Astros'minor league clubhouse in Kissimmee, Fla., on Tuesday and walked straight to a fenced-in bullpen to greet his oldest son, Koby, a catcher in the Astros'system.

He snapped at a photographer who started clicking pictures.

"This isn't a zoo!"Clemens barked.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was calmer a few minutes later, but refused to answer questions about the Mitchell Report or a possible criminal investigation into his denials of steroid use.

"Everything's been said that needs to be said on that,"Clemens said."We're moving forward. It's baseball time."

Clemens thinks the public is tired of hearing about performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. He sure is.

"I think you ought to be asking baseball questions,"he said."I think it's time to move on and get on with baseball."

Clemens will pitch batting practice from Wednesday through Friday to minor leaguers. He arrived one day afterThe New York Timesreported a House committee had drafted a letter asking the Justice Department to look into whether Clemens committed perjury. Clemens has repeatedly denied that he used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, allegations brought by former personal trainer Brian McNamee.

The committee has not yet made a decision whether to send a letter to Justice.

"I'm not commenting on any of that,"Clemens said."Everything's said that needs to be said on that topic."

Briefly

Giants:San Francisco probably will be without Omar Vizquel's sparkling defense at shortstop on Opening Day. Vizquel will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today and is expected to miss four to six weeks. The 11-time Gold Glove shortstop, who turns 41 in April, tested his knee Tuesday but said the pain was too much to handle.

Mets:Pedro Martinez will wait to see whether New York wants him back in 2009. Martinez is in the final season of his four-year, $53 million deal and eager to find out how his right shoulder holds up. He had major surgery on it in October 2006 and spent most of last year recovering. The 36-year-old Martinez said it's up to the Mets to talk to him about a new deal.

Reds:Shortstop Alex Gonzalez is expected to miss Cincinnati's first few spring training games with a sore knee.

Cubs:Mark DeRosa visited a Chicago cardiologist, and manager Lou Piniella said he expects the Cubs infielder back in camp next week. The Cubs issued no report on DeRosa's medical tests. He was hospitalized over the weekend after experiencing an irregular heartbeat.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and could miss the regular-season opener.

Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest off-season acquisition, limped off the field Saturday after injuring his knee when he caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to be out 3-6 weeks. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for opening day.

Briefly

Cubs:Second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital Sunday evening a day after experiencing an irregular heartbeat. The team said the condition is not life-threatening and that DeRosa was to be examined by a cardiologist today and could be back on the field by midweek.

Astros:Pitcher Brandon Backe suffered a bone bruise on his right foot when he was hit by a ground ball Saturday. X-rays were negative.

Red Sox:Manager Terry Francona was given a three-year extension through 2011, with club options in 2012 and 2013.

Blue Jays:Veteran outfielder Shannon Stewart agreed to a minor league deal.

Chicago Cubs second baseman and former Ranger Mark DeRosa was released from a hospital Saturday evening after being taken there by ambulance for an irregular heartbeat he experienced during spring training drills.

DeRosa was sitting up on a stretcher as he was wheeled out of the Fitch Park complex in Mesa, Ariz., around midday.

"Mark's doing fine,"manager Lou Piniella said shortly after practice ended."He came in with a rapid heartbeat from doing the things on the field and was having a little trouble breathing, so they called in the medical team."

DeRosa was forced to leave a game June 20 against Texas with an ocular migraine when he lost partial vision in his left eye.

Lidge injures knee

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice Saturday and hurt the same knee he had surgery on in October.

Lidge, the Phillies'biggest off-season acquisition, limped off the field in Clearwater, Fla., after talking with team trainers. The team said it hoped to know more about the extent of the injury today. Doctors removed torn cartilage from his right knee in the fall.

The Phillies acquired Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett in a November trade that sent speedy outfielder Michael Bourn, infield prospect Mike Costanzo and reliever Geoff Geary to the Astros.

Ramirez with Boras

Manny Ramirez switched agents and is now represented by Scott Boras.

Ramirez, entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, became the seventh player on Boston's probable 25-man roster to be represented by Boras. The Red Sox slugger had been represented by Greg Genske.

Ramirez said Thursday he'd like to retire as a member of the Red Sox. He acknowledged that's out of his control because the team has an option on his contract in 2009 and 2010 at $20 million per season.

Boras also represents Boston pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Julian Tavarez, catcher Jason Varitek, outfielders J.D. Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury and infielder Alex Cora.

Koufax in Mets camp

Billy Wagner was looking for a little help and Sandy Koufax was happy to oblige.

After getting a call from bullpen coach Guy Conti, the Hall of Fame pitcher visited New York Mets camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and spoke with the team's hard-throwing closer.

"I wanted just to talk to him,"Wagner said."I've known Sandy off and on for 12 years. He's probably about the only lefty I can go to and say,'Hey, what am I doing?'and kind of have somebody I feel kind of connects with me."

Wagner, 36, went 2-2 with 34 saves and a 2.63 ERA last year.

"If somebody wants to get better and they think I can help them, then it's a pleasure,"Koufax said."I don't do it unless someone asks. If I help them, great. If I don't, I tell them,'This is an experiment. If it doesn't work for you, forget it. It has to work. You have to be comfortable.'I don't have all the answers."

ONLINE: mlb.com

Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and could miss the regular-season opener.

Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest off-season acquisition, limped off the field Saturday after injuring his knee when he caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to be out 3-6 weeks. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for opening day.

Briefly

Cubs:Second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital Sunday evening a day after experiencing an irregular heartbeat. The team said the condition is not life-threatening and that DeRosa was to be examined by a cardiologist today and could be back on the field by midweek.

Astros:Pitcher Brandon Backe suffered a bone bruise on his right foot when he was hit by a ground ball Saturday. X-rays were negative.

Red Sox:Manager Terry Francona was given a three-year extension through 2011, with club options in 2012 and 2013.

Blue Jays:Veteran outfielder Shannon Stewart agreed to a minor league deal.

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals ended their slide, probably too late to do them any good.

Miguel Cairo's run-scoring triple capped a four-run third inning, and St. Louis rallied past the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in the second game of a day-night doubleheader to end a nine-game losing streak.

Chicago's NL Central lead was cut to one game over Milwaukee, but St. Louis is six games back of the Cubs with just over two weeks remaining.

In the opener, Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning that powered the Cubs to a 3-2 victory and gave Kerry Wood his first win since May 29, 2006. St. Louis lost nine in a row for the first time since a 10-game skid in 1980.

Soriano hit another homer in the second game, a two-run drive in the second off Joel Pineiro (5-3). Chicago also got a first-inning RBI single from Aramis Ramirez and took a 3-0 lead, but the Cubs had two runners thrown out at the plate.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds caught Derrek Lee trying to score on Mark DeRosa's lineout to end the first and left fielder So Taguchi's relay made Ryan Theriot an easy out in the second.

A key error by catcher Jason Kendall hurt the Cubs in the third.

Kendall bounced a throw to first that eluded Lee after recovering the ball on a third strike in the dirt to Ryan Ludwick. Yadier Molina had a two-run double, Scott Spiezio tied it with a single -- his first RBI since substance-abuse rehab -- and Cairo tripled over center fielder Jacque Jones.

Pineiro allowed one hit his last five innings, retiring 15 straight hitters after Lee's leadoff double in the third. Russ Springer worked around an error to start the eighth and Jason Isringhausen finished for his 29th save in 31 chances.

Sean Marshall (7-8) made his first start since Aug. 31 and lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs -- two unearned -- and six hits.

CHART: Game staitstics

Chicago Cubs' Mark DeRosa, bottom, Felix Pie, top right, Aramis Ramirez, center, and Henry Blanco sit in the dugout as their team bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning of the baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007. The Cubs fell out of first place in the NL Central, losing 10-5 to the Pirates. " align="left" border="0">

Perhaps the Chicago Cubs should stop worrying about the Brewers and Cardinals, the teams they're competing with in the NL Central, and become more concerned with the clubs well below them in the standings. Freddy Sanchez's bases-loaded triple highlighted Pittsburgh's six-run second inning and rookie Nyjer Morgan made an exceptional catch and drove in two runs, allowing the Pirates to knock the...

Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee (25) is congratulated by Mark DeRosa (7) and Cliff Floyd, right, as he scores against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in San Francisco. Lee scored on a two-run double by Aramis Ramirez. At center right background is Giants' pitcher Barry Zito. " align="left" border="0">

Cliff Floyd is finding himself in the middle of a lot of winning rallies, and keeping the Chicago Cubs in the thick of a pennant race. Floyd led off the 10th inning with a double, and after he was replaced by pinch runner Felix Pie, Jason Kendall drove in the go-ahead run in the Cubs' 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez throws out Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips during the second inning of their baseball game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. " align="left" border="0">

Mark DeRosa's bump-up in the batting order gave the Chicago Cubs the lift they needed during a rough stretch. DeRosa went 5-for-5 with four RBIs, the Cubs had a season-high 20 hits and Chicago scored seven in the seventh Thursday to beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-4. DeRosa's five hits -- four singles and a double -- were a career high as the Cubs won for just the fifth time in 15 games this month.

Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee (25) looks on as Mark DeRosa, center, and Ryan Theriot, right, celebrate their 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday June 19, 2007. " align="left" border="0">

Slammin' Sammy swung hard against his old team. And missed. Playing against the Chicago Cubs for the first time in his career, with cameras flashing on every pitch to the slugger, Sosa was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday night in Texas' 5-4 loss. He remained one home run shy of becoming the fifth member of the 600-homer club.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Olmedo Saenz hits a single in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs during a baseball game, Saturday, May 26, 2007, in Los Angeles. " align="left" border="0">

A day after the Cubs' bullpen wilted, things took a turn for the better. Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa hit back-to-back home runs and reliever Will Ohman struck out pinch-hitter Jeff Kent with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to help preserve Chicago's 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.