Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox recalled infielder Freddy Sanchez from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday to replace Shea Hillenbrand on the roster.

The Red Sox traded Hillenbrand to Arizona on Thursday for right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim, who is expected to join the team Saturday night.

Sanchez led the International League with a .476 on-base percentage and is tied for the league-lead with a .384 batting average.

"He's not going to come here and be a regular player, but he's done about everything you can do at Triple-A,'' Boston manager Grady Little said. "He's ready to become a part of a major league team.''

Little said the 25-year-old will see some time at third, second and shortstop.

Sanchez couldn't believe he was called up.

"I was in total shock. I wasn't expecting this at all,'' Sanchez said. "I'm glad to be here, I'll tell you that.''

Cloninger stays home as precaution: Red Sox pitching coach Tony Cloninger, undergoing chemotherapy to treat bladder cancer, didn't make the trip to Toronto because of the SARS scare.

Cloninger, 62, and the Red Sox medical staff agreed that he shouldn't make the trip, Red Sox spokesperson Kevin Shea said Friday.

Boston manager Grady Little said Cloninger is to undergo another chemotheraphy treatment Monday in North Carolina. Cloninger plans to rejoin the team Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

He missed the team's previous trip to Toronto, in April, because he was resting at home in North Carolina.

Minor league pitching coach Goose Gregson replaced Cloninger.

	Erstad

Anaheim Angels: Angels center fielder Darin Erstad, out with a hamstring injury, is scheduled to start a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Erstad worked out with the Angels before Friday night's game at Tampa Bay and then left to join Salt Lake for a weekend series at Tucson. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 26.

"I'm sick of practice,'' Erstad said as he headed toward the dugout after the workout. "I'm going to Tucson.''

Erstad could rejoin the Angels during a homestand that begins June 9. He is expected to play five or six innings and get three at-bats on Saturday.

"He worked out early and felt good,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's on his way and is ready to go.''

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners placed utilityman John Mabry on the 15-day disabled list Friday with an injured tendon in his right shoulder.

Mabry, who's played mostly in the outfield this season, was hurt while diving for a ball during Tuesday's win over Kansas City after replacing Ichiro Suzuki in the outfield. The move is retroactive to Wednesday.

Mabry is batting .182 with two home runs and seven RBI in 33 at-bats.

"We're not sure how bad it is, we know it's bad enough to put him on the disabled list,'' manager Bob Melvin said.

"It's a tough blow for us,'' he said.

Melvin said he expected to recall catcher Pat Borders from Triple-A Tacoma.

	Isringhausen

St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen threw to hitters for the second time this week, taking another step toward what may be a brief rehab stint.

Isringhausen threw about 30 pitches Friday and felt better and in more command that he had on Tuesday. He's scheduled to throw one more time, either Sunday or next Tuesday, depending on how he feels, and after that will go on a rehab assignment.

"You've got to be fair to him and fair to us,'' pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "I think it's going to just take a real accurate evaluation of how he throws the ball when he's out on rehab.''

The Cardinals couldn't be blamed for being impatient. The bullpen has blown 14 of 25 save opportunities without Isringhausen, who had 32 saves in 37 chances last year.

Isringhausen looked sharp, mixing breaking balls with fastballs, throwing for strikes most of the time and pitching without pain.

"This is as good as I've felt in a long time,'' Isringhausen said. "Tomorrow could be another story, but I don't foresee anything being wrong.''

The Cardinals had considered activating Isringhausen, on the 15-day disabled list since March 21 following offseason shoulder surgery, without sending him to the minors. But they believe a rehab is the safer course and Isringhausen agrees.

"I probably need to go on a rehab and face hitters again and get the adrenaline going again before I face major league hitters again,'' Isringhausen said. "There's people in the stands, there's actually a game at stake, there's an umpire calling balls and strikes and you've got a defense behind you, so you want to do well.''

Vina has surgery: St. Louis second baseman Fernando Vina underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn hamstring tendon in his right leg, an injury that will sideline him at least six weeks.

Vina, who was injured on Sunday and placed on the disabled list on Monday, opted for surgery over rehabilitation that could have doubled the recovery time. He went to his home in Sacramento, Calif., for a second opinion on Wednesday.

The surgery was done in St. Louis by Dr. George Paletta, the team physician, who said the procedure was a success.

Vina, the Cardinals' leadoff hitter, is batting .262 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are going to use a four-man rotation in June and maybe even longer if it works.

"I don't think it's any secret that our fifth starters have struggled,'' general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "It's not like were bumping Smoltz.''

Left-hander Doug Davis, who started on Friday night, is expected to be moved to the bullpen. Davis entered the game 2-3 with a 5.54 ERA.

The Blue Jays want ace Roy Halladay and No. 2 starter Cory Lidle to pitch more.

Ricciardi said Halladay, Lidle, Mark Hendrickson and Kelvim Escobar are all comfortable with the idea.

"We're just trying it. Maybe after the month we have to pull the plug on it,'' Ricciardi said. "I think we have a better chance of winning.''

The Blue Jays have three off days in June, so they won't have to use the starters on short rest that often.

"We get our four best guys out there more often,'' Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said.