The Devil Rays made a multiyear contract offer to shortstop Julio Lugo that apparently will be the starting point in negotiations.

League sources indicated on Wednesday that the Phillies are discussing trading No.

A source in Tampa Bay said on Tuesday night that the D-Rays have zero interest in Toronto's David Purcey in any Julio Lugo deal.

While Rays SS Julio Lugo sat out his third straight game with a bruised middle fingertip on his right hand, trade talks to deal Lugo to the Blue Jays seemed to hit a roadblock.

By trading Shea Hillenbrand, the Blue Jays were able to free up some money, money that could be used to pay the remainder of Julio Lugo's contract, should they be able to trade for him.

The Blue Jays have traded troubled Shea Hillenbrand and relief pitcher Vinnie Chulk to the Giants for pitcher Jeremy Accardo.

Blue Jays reliever Pete Walker is scheduled to undergo surgery on a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, which has been plagued by injury since early June.

Shea Hillenbrand, the Blue Jays' DH who was designated for assignment Wednesday after a blowup with manager John Gibbons, is likely to be traded to the Dodgers or Padres.

After Shea Hillenbrand wrote on the clubhouse bulletin board that the "ship was sinking," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons challenged him to a fight.

The Toronto Blue Jays cut Shea Hillenbrand on Wednesday night after he was chastised during a team meeting and he refused to sit in the dugout with his teammates.

The Blue Jays appear the most logical suitor of Julio Lugo, though the Mets, who would use him at second base, continue to monitor the situation.

The Blue Jays disinfected their clubhouse after being forced to place right-hander Ty Taubenheim on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with an infection in his left foot, the second Toronto player to be placed on the DL because of a staph infection.

Vernon Wells has this season plus one more on the original five-year contract he signed on the same day as Eric Hinske and for basically the same money, at spring training of 2003.

Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios will miss at least another 10 days because of an infection in his lower left leg, the team said Friday.

The Blue Jays placed Alex Rios on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday as doctors continued to treat the outfielder for a serious infection in his lower left leg.