JACKSON, Tenn. - Sammy Sosa struck out looking in his only at-bat in his final rehabilitation game with the Cubs' Double-A affiliate Tuesday night.
Sosa was supposed to play rightfield but was the DH due to wet conditions. He batted leadoff for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and had one plate appearance before the game was rained out.
Sosa said he was disappointed he did not get to play in the field as planned.
"I think those two games that I played here are going to help me," Sosa said. "I'll go back to the major leagues Friday and be ready for any team. I'm in shape, feel great."
JOHNSON RUMORS: With the Yankees in town, left-hander Randy Johnson addressed the persistent speculation that he might find himself wearing pinstripes.
He didn't shut the door on the possibility he might accept a trade from the Diamondbacks, who insist they have no intention of dealing him.
"Right now, I've not been approached by either team," Johnson said. "It's kind of pointless."
Meanwhile, the Yankees put right-hander Kevin Brown on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Thursday with a strained lower back. The Yankees also said right-handed reliever Steve Karsay will shut down his throwing program for a few days after canceling a scheduled rehabilitation start because of shoulder trouble.
Also, two top Major League Baseball officials will visit the Dominican Republic this week to investigate the case of an Arizona pitching prospect accused of using his nephew's identity to appear younger. Birth records show Adriano Rosario's real name is Ramon Antonio Pena Paulino, and he was born Jan. 9, 1982, making him 22. The real Rosario turned 19 last month, according to the documents.
ALL-STAR VOTING: Yankees rightfielder Gary Sheffield moved into third place among AL outfielders in fan voting for the July 13 game in Houston. Sheffield (693,248) moved past Boston's Johnny Damon (614,205).
ASTROS: First baseman Jeff Bagwell sat out after receiving a cortisone shot in his chronically aching right shoulder.
BRAVES: Manager Bobby Cox put Chipper Jones at third base for the game against the Royals, replacing Mark DeRosa. Jones, an everyday third baseman from 1995-01, had been taking grounders at first and was expected to play there thanks to an injured right hamstring that has limited his mobility in leftfield.
MARLINS: Right-hander Josh Beckett, on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger, is scheduled to start Thursday night against the White Sox. ... Utilityman Wil Cordero had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is out at least another six weeks.
METS: Batting coach Denny Walling was fired and replaced on an interim basis by bench coach Don Baylor.
RED SOX: Rightfielder Trot Nixon is expected to be activated and make his season debut today. Nixon has been on the DL all season with a slight herniated disk and a strained left quadriceps.
