ESPN MLB

Los Angeles Angels: Catcher Bengie Molina doesn't know if he will be ready to play in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees after he was forced to leave Friday night's game with a bruised left elbow.

Molina was hit by Yankees reliever Tom Gordon's pitch in the seventh inning. X-rays at Yankee Stadium were negative, though Molina originally feared the worst.

"I couldn't feel my hand, and that's part of when you get it broke," he said. "I was pretty scared."

He was replaced by his brother, Jose Molina.

If Bengie Molina can't play, it would leave the Angels without one of their top hitters in the series. He has homered in all three games and was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in Los Angeles' 11-7 victory Friday night. He is batting .455 in the series.

Molina will be re-evaluated Saturday. Manager Mike Scioscia indicated that Molina probably couldn't be the designated hitter if he is unable to catch.

"If he can't move enough behind the plate and catch and squeeze a glove, it's doubtful he can swing a bat," Scioscia said. "But we'll play it by ear."

Minnesota Twins: Designated hitter Matthew LeCroy was among three players taken off Minnesota's 40-man roster. LeCroy, a popular teammate who batted .260 with 17 home runs and 50 RBI in 304 at-bats this year, has spent his entire career with the Twins.

Also outrighted to Triple-A Rochester were outfielder Jason Tyner and third baseman Glenn Williams.

On a busy afternoon, Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan declined the $8.5 million option on the contract of right-hander Joe Mays and confirmed that third-base coach Al Newman has accepted a job with the Diamondbacks as a professional scout.

Ryan didn't rule out bringing him back, but LeCroy is eligible for salary arbitration and figures to cost more than Minnesota is willing to pay. He made $750,000 this year.

Mays will receive a $500,000 buyout and become a free agent. Like LeCroy, the Twins will let Mays test the market before deciding whether they want to offer him a deal. But it's unlikely either of them will return.

The Twins outrighted second baseman Luis Rivas, outfielder Michael Ryan and utility man Brent Abernathy to Rochester earlier in the week and activated center fielder Torii Hunter from the disabled list, leaving them with six open spots on the 40-man roster. Tyner, Williams and Abernathy have a chance to come back, but the club is parting ways with Rivas.

Also, third baseman Michael Cuddyer had successful surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. First baseman Justin Morneau will not need surgery on his bothersome left elbow, Ryan said.

Colorado Rockies: Outfielder Dustan Mohr opted for free agency after refusing an assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

The Rockies had declined a mutual option for next season.

Mohr, 29, hit .214 with 38 RBI in 98 games this season. His career-high 17 home runs was third on the team.

He went on the 15-day disabled list after straining his left calf on Opening Day when he leaped from the dugout to celebrate the Rockies' 12-10 comeback victory

Mohr previously played for Minnesota and San Francisco. He has a career .252 average with 46 home runs and 151 RBI in 476 major-league games.

Milwaukee Brewers: Chris Magruder and Victor Santos were among five players taken off the 40-man roster.

Magruder hit .205 this season with two homers, pinch-hitting and filling in the outfield for the Brewers, who ended the season with an 81-81 record. It was Milwaukee's first non-losing season since 1992.

Santos finished the season with a 4-13 record and a 4.57 ERA.

The Brewers also dropped infielder Trent Durrington and pitchers Luis Pena and Julio Santana.

All the players except for Pena will have until Thursday to accept assignment to the minors or become free agents, said team spokesman Tyler Barnes.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press