Sheffield: No disrespect to Latin players

Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield insists he meant "nothing derogatory" toward Latin players when he said Major League Baseball found it easier to "control them" than blacks.

Sheffield said he was surprised his comments in the current issue of GQ magazine created such a stir. The slugger said he merely answered a question about why there were so many Latin players, as opposed to blacks.

"When you see a black face on TV and they start talking, English comes out," he said. "That's what I said. I ain't taking a shot at them or nothing. I'm just telling it like it is."

In expanding on his comment about control, Sheffield said: "They have more to lose than we do. You can send them back across the island. You can't send us back. We're already here."

In another matter, veteran lefthander Kenny Rogers threw two innings in a simulated game. Rogers had surgery March 30 to remove a blood clot from his left shoulder and repair arteries.

* Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano had surgery to repair the ulna collateral ligament in his right elbow.

* Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay is on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right hand.

* At Cleveland, C.C. Sabathia (9-1) pitched his fifth career shutout as the Indians beat Kansas City, 1-0.

* At Chicago, Alex Rodriguez homered to lead the Yankees over the White Sox, 7-3.

* At Toronto, Matt Stairs scored the winning run on a bases-loaded walk as the Blue Jays beat Tampa Bay, 12-11.

* At Anaheim, Kelvim Escobar (7-3) pitched a three-hitter as the Angels beat Minnesota, 5-1.

* At Arlington, Texas, Victor Diaz hit a grand slam and the Rangers beat Detroit, 7-4.

* At Oakland, Eric Chavez homered as the A's beat Boston, 2-0. *