Covering the Bases

Maddux back at Wrigley

Greg Maddux returned Monday to the place where it all started back in 1986 when as a fresh-faced 20-year-old he first put on a major league uniform with the Chicago Cubs.

Now 42 and with another milestone tucked away after he became the ninth pitcher to get 350 wins Saturday, Maddux could be making his last stop at Wrigley Field as the San Diego Padres come to town for four games.

"Could be. Who knows?" Maddux said.

But as he sat in the dugout two hours before Monday's game and looked across the field, Maddux offered this observation about the old neighborhood park and the city where he launched his Hall of Fame career.

"Everything now is just as good as it was 20 years ago," he said.

Yankees' Rodriguez won't play this week

Alex Rodriguez's strained right quadriceps will keep him from playing this week, causing the American League MVP to miss this weekend's series against the crosstown rival New York Mets.

"It's still not where it needs to be. I don't see him playing this week," New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Monday night's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. "You can't afford to have him come back for two days and lose him again for six weeks."

Rodriguez hasn't played since April 28 and is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Thursday.

He had an MRI exam Monday, then worked out the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., for an hour. A-Rod took batting practice, fielded ground balls and ran for about eight minutes in the outfield.

Hank Greenberg Day set for June 29

Hank Greenberg Day will be celebrated at the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame on June 29, part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of his rookie season.

Greenberg was a two-time American League MVP and helped earn two World Series titles with the Detroit Tigers. He is one of four Jews in the Hall of Fame, joining Sandy Koufax, owner Barney Dreyfuss and Lou Boudreau.

Braves' Smoltz hopes to return this month

Atlanta ace John Smoltz is throwing again and hopes his injured left rotator cuff heals enough to let him move into the bullpen this month.

SHORT HOP: Pedro Martinez plans to throw a simulated game against minor leaguers Wednesday, another step toward returning to the New York Mets' rotation from a frustrating left hamstring injury.