SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP News and notes

Athletics: Mark Mulder began the final day of the Cactus League season by delivering some disturbing news to pitching coach Curt Young. "He told me his back was hurting him, and that he didn't think he could pitch," Young said. "I had a few thoughts going through my mind for a while." And then? "April Fool's joke," Young said. "... Yeah, very funny." Mulder's joke may have been a hint of what was to come. He said he had a difficult time getting focused in a game that featured mostly minor leaguers and allowed 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) in five innings. He wrapped up his spring with an ugly 6.75 ERA.
Tigers: Outfielder Cody Ross was traded to the Dodgers for left-handed pitcher Steve Colyer and a player to be named. The Tigers also optioned right-hander Ugueth Urbina to Class A Lakeland (Fla.) so the newly acquired closer can get more work before the season starts. Also, a few hours after being given his unconditional release, Esteban Yan re-signed and is still in the mix to be the No. 5 starter, manager Alan Trammell said.
Phillies: Third baseman David Bell was hit in the side of the helmet by a pitch from Toronto's Miguel Batista. Bell went down but immediately bounced back up and started walking toward first base. After being examined by a trainer, he walked off the field. He was taken back to the Phillies' complex in nearby Clearwater. Several beanballs, four ejections and heated words between the teams followed. Batista also hit Shawn Wooten on the left hip with a pitch in the fourth inning, and first base umpire Marty Foster warned both benches. Phillies reliever Ryan Madson then threw behind Frank Catalanotto, so Madson and Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa were ejected. Batista and Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca were tossed after the right-hander threw up and in to Todd Pratt leading off the fifth.
Twins: Left-hander Carlos Pulido was sent to Triple-A Rochester and right-handers Seth Greisinger and Pete Munro were reassigned to the minor league camp. The moves leave Minnesota with 11 pitchers to open the season: left-hander Johan Santana and right-handers Brad Radke, Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva in the rotation; right-hander Joe Nathan as the closer, with left-handers J.C. Romero and Aaron Fultz and right-handers Juan Rincon, Grant Balfour and Joe Roa also in the bullpen. Left-hander Brad Thomas will be a spot fifth starter until right-hander Rick Helling is ready to return from a broken shin, which could be the middle of April.
Rockies: Top pitching prospect Chin-hui Tsao was sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Last season, Tsao became the first Taiwanese-born pitcher in the majors. He went 3-3 with a 6.02 ERA.
-- Associated Press