Wearing street clothes and a large, silver cross around his neck, Lastings Milledge took a seat next to Omar Minaya in the dugout as the Mets' general manager made an announcement Friday. "Can I change my mind here?" the GM joked. Not right now. Milledge was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday after an eventful month of ups and downs in the major leagues. He figures to return to the NL East-leading Mets before the season is out, unless he gets traded. The move opened a roster spot for left fielder Cliff Floyd, who came off the 15-day disabled list and was in the starting lineup for the Subway Series opener at Yankee Stadium.

After being suspended for steroids use and not having his contract renewed by the Baltimore Orioles, Rafael Palmeiro continues to stay in game shape in case another team wishes to procure his services. Palmeiro spoke out for the first time since his grand jury investigation cleared him of potential perjury charges. "With all the great products that are apparently out there that are undetectable, for me to take something like that ... when people take things that now aren't even being tested for, does it make any sense?" Palmeiro said.

According to a column by Bob Raissman, the YES Network encourages Yankees analyst David Justice to rip Alex Rodriguez on television. Raissman suggested that the three voices who also worked Tuesday night's game on YES were encouraged to criticize on A-Rod as well. Justice's comments came shortly after he had encouraged fans to lay off of booing or criticizing A-Rod.

Greg Genske, the agent of Boston Red Sox star Manny Ramirez told Sox General Manager Theo Epstein that Ramirez wants to stay with the team. "It's always a two-way street when talking about potential deals or Manny leaving," Genske said by phone yesterday. ``We can only control our side of the street. And on our side of the street, there's no trade considerations. He's happy." Knee problems are one of the factors that are making the Sox consider trading Ramirez.

Jose Canseco returned to baseball Thursday when he agreed to a contract with the independent San Diego Surf Dawgs, planning to be their designated hitter and get this, pitch. The Golden Baseball League announced the deal, saying the former AL MVP and Rookie of the Year will make his Surf Dawgs debut Monday night on the road against the Chico Outlaws. Canseco's return to baseball comes some 19 months after he attracted Congress' attention with an autobiography, "Juiced," that accused several top players of steroid use.

Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' former personal trainer, has refused to testify to a federal grand jury who is investigating Bonds. Anderson could face more jail time for his refusal to tesify, but that will be decided in future hearings on the matter.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired lefthander Fabio Castro from the Texas Rangers for lefthander Daniel Haigwood and cash on Thursday. Castro, 21, was 0-0 with a 4.32 ERA in four appearances with Texas this season. Opponents hit just .200 against him. "Fabio is someone we've had our eye on since before the Rule 5 draft approached last December," Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He has a quality arm, is young and someone we are pleased to have in our organization. We feel that he has a chance to develop into a set-up type reliever which has become more and more valuable over the years."

The Blue Jays on Tuesday designated Kevin Towers for assignment after an horrendous start to the 2006 campaign. After going 13-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 33 starts last season, they had high hopes for him this year.

Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios was hospitalized Thursday and expected to remain overnight to receive treatment on a bad infection in his lower left leg. On Tuesday, Rios fouled a ball off his leg during their 6-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. The area swelled and he sat out Wednesday's game as a precaution. But the pain in his leg got worse Thursday, so the team sent him to the hospital. "Rios isn't doing too good," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "They're going to keep him overnight to see how it develops."

Woman told to stay away from Brewers gamesAssociated Press A woman charged with stalking Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker has been ordered to have no contact with him and avoid any ballpark where the Brewers play. Ann E. Ladd was released on a signature bond Wednesday in Milwaukee County District Court. She was ordered to stay away from Uecker's home and workplace, including Miller Park in Milwaukee and any major league ballpark, and stay at least 1,000 feet from him at all times.