Baseball Notes: Seattle puts Cliff Lee on the shelf

The Mariners shut down former Phillies ace Cliff Lee for five days in the hope that his strained abdomen heals, making it likely the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner will begin his debut season in Seattle on the disabled list.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said yesterday that the team's medical staff decided the 31-year-old lefthander will do no more throwing until at least Wednesday.

Seattle's winter acquisition from the Phillies felt pain in his lower right abdomen for the second time in three days Thursday after throwing lightly for a few minutes on flat ground. He first injured it March 15 in a collision with Arizona's Chris Snyder while Lee was backing up the plate on a scoring play.

Lee has not been on a mound since stopping a bullpen session because of the abdominal pain on March 18.

Yankees. Alex Rodriguez's meeting yesterday in Buffalo with federal investigators probing a Canadian doctor was indefinitely delayed by mutual consent, and the third baseman remained at spring training in Tampa, Fla., with New York.

Rodriguez said March 1 he had been contacted by investigators who wanted to interview him about his treatment by Anthony Galea after hip surgery last year. Galea faces four charges in Canada related to human growth hormone and Actovegin. The physician has said he prescribed anti-inflammatories for the slugger, not HGH.

Twins. Minnesota closer Joe Nathan, an all-star, will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow yesterday.

Astros. Houston ace Roy Oswalt went from Kissimmee, Fla., to Texas to be examined by a team doctor. The righthander left yesterday's start against Pittsburgh with a slight left hamstring strain.

Red Sox. Boston optioned lefthander Fabio Castro, a former Phillie, to triple-A Pawtucket, and agreed to terms with lefthander Scott Schoeneweis, who starred at Lenape High in Medford.

The Red Sox also dealt a player to be named and cash to the San Franciso Giants for infielder Kevin Frandsen.

Braves. Rookie sensation Jason Heyward, 20, will open the season as Atlanta's regular rightfielder.

The Braves suspended a minor-league pitcher who was charged with two prostitution-related misdemeanors after a sting not far from the team's spring-training facility.

Righthander Deunte Heath, 24, was released on bond yesterday in Kissimmee, Fla.

He was arrested and jailed Thursday night when he allegedly responded to Internet prostitution ads and agreed to pay $75 for a sex act.

Cubs. Former Phillie Carlos Silva and Tom Gorzelanny beat out Jeff Samardzija and Sean Marshall for Chicago's final two rotation spots.