MLB notes

MARINERS: Left-hander Erik Bedard expects to quickly recover from a hip injury that forced him to miss Sunday's highly anticipated matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.

Bedard was scratched late Saturday night after complaining about pain in his left hip. The inflammation is not serious, and he's planning to pitch Tuesday in Tampa Bay.

"I think I'll be fine," Bedard said Sunday morning.

Bedard was traded to the Mariners from Baltimore in February. Although his first opportunity to pitch against his former team was ruined by his bothersome hip, he figures to get another chance later this month.

RED SOX: Josh Beckett was activated from the 15-day disabled list before Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. Beckett took the loss after giving up five earned runs in 4 w innings of work.

To make room on the roster, the Red Sox designated Kyle Snyder for assignment.

Beckett felt soreness in his back after throwing a warmup pitch before his scheduled spring training start March 8 against the Florida Marlins, and left without facing a batter. He was placed on the disabled list March 19.

Snyder was 2-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 46 relief appearances last year, his first full season with Boston.

The Red Sox will have to make another move once right-hander Mike Timlin (lacerated finger) is ready to return, possibly within the next few days. Timlin is scheduled to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket today.

PIRATES: Shortstop Jack Wilson was put on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a left calf strain.

Wilson left Thursday's game at Atlanta after he hit a seventh-inning single and aggravated the injury during the run to first. He missed the past two games against Florida.

To take Wilson's spot, the Pirates recalled infielder Brian Bixler from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Wilson was put on the DL retroactive to Friday.

GIANTS: Just a few days into the season, San Francisco is dealing with a handful of bizarre injuries.

Reliever Keiichi Yabu was hit across the eyes by an elastic band, right fielder Randy Winn bruised his right ankle when he hit himself with a bat, and center fielder Aaron Rowand 's ribs were still sore, manager Bruce Bochy said.

Yabu, wearing sunglasses in the clubhouse, hurt himself on Saturday when he was doing arm exercises at his locker.

ASTROS: Third baseman Ty Wigginton has a small fracture in his left thumb and was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs.

Wigginton was optimistic the injury won't send him to the disabled list. Wigginton hurt his hand in the seventh inning of Saturday's 9-7 loss to Chicago when Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis spiked Wigginton's glove while sliding into third.

- Catcher Josh Paul agreed to a minor league deal with Houston and will report to Triple-A Round Rock. Paul has played with the White Sox, Cubs, Angels and Rays.