Manny Ramirez continues to avoid talking to the media, a reversal of how he behaved when he first arrived in Los Angeles. "No gracias," said Ramirez when approached by the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

Roy Halladay allowed four runs on five hits in the first inning against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He then struck out four straight batters and retired the final seven men he faced. Halladay spent his first 12 seasons in Toronto before being traded to Philadelphia in December. The Blue Jays topped the Phillies 5-2 in the game.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge received a cortisone shot in his surgically-repaired right elbow on Tuesday. The reliever had surgery on his elbow in November and likely won't be ready to pitch until mid-April at the earliest. Philadelphia is hoping that the cortisone shot will speed his rehabilitation.

The Cubs will honor Hall of Famer Billy Williams with a statue outside Wrigley Field. It will be unveiled Sept. 7. "It's one of the greatest tributes to a player," Williams said Wednesday. "When this happens, you're so elated because it's a statue erected in front of Wrigley Field where I've performed for so many years. "It's a great honor. It's great for me, it's great for the family, because the kids, the grandkids, the great-great grandkids can go see it and take their friends, and it'll be there forever."

Minnesota's Denard Span struck his own mother in the chest with a foul ball during Wednesday's game. She was treated by paramedics and back in the stands minutes later. "My mom is feeling ok right now!" Span posted on his Twitter account. Wanda Wilson was sitting with about 20 family members and friends near the third-base dugout. Span took a defensive swing in the first inning and sent a liner into the low box seats, hitting her near the shoulder.

The Mets will start Johan Santana on Opening Day, but the remainder of their starting rotation is in flux. John Maine and Jon Niese will face the Marlins in the other two games of the season-opening series, April 7-8, at Citi Field. Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez will follow.

Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee tested his strained abdomen with no pain on Wednesday. He played catch, but is still expected to begin the season on the disabled list. "It went good. I don't feel anything," Lee said. "It was pretty light, but I'm pleased with how I feel."

Talks between the Red Sox and Rangers about a trade involving Mike Lowell have accelerated, according to a baseball source. Lowell may not have a chance to play much in Boston with David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Beltre at first and third base. A trade between Boston and Texas for Lowell broke down this winter when the third baseman failed a physical.

Outfielder Jason Repko was waived by the Dodgers on Wednesday, along with left-hander Eric Stults. Waiving Stults was a formality before his sale to the Hiroshima Carp and was expected. Repko?s release was hardly surprising -- the Dodgers may have to open up at least four spots on their 40-man roster to add Garret Anderson, Jeff Weaver, Ramon Ortiz and Nick Green.

Dontrelle Willis will be the No. 3 starter for the Tigers this season. He struggled on Tuesday against the Orioles, but his spot was solidified when Detroit traded left-hander Nate Robertson to the Marlins earlier in the day. "I thought he was very good today. I don't think that was anything like we've seen in the past," manager Jim Leyland said. "He was missing down, he was missing close." "I was actually very pleased with it. I was very encouraged," he said. Willis has won only one game over two seasons while battling injuries, inconsistency and an anxiety disorder.