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End of line for Maddux?

Padres right-hander Greg Maddux may be nearing the end of an illustrious career.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
From Wire Services The Spokesman-Review
Padres right-hander Greg Maddux may be nearing the end of an illustrious career.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

He may be 42 and the Marlins may have cuffed Greg Maddux around for 11 hits on Sunday in Miami, but something tells you he will be smart enough to get out while the getting’s good.

He certainly isn’t going to stick around just to pad his already Cooperstown-worthy numbers.

The Padres’ 10-3 loss to the team with baseball’s lowest payroll kept him from notching career win No. 350.

There have been reports about Maddux telling friends this will probably be his final season in the majors, but he isn’t about to confirm those publicly. That would turn his 23rd season into a prolonged farewell tour, and his low-key personality simply wouldn’t allow such an ordeal.

Many of those in the modest crowd of 11,422 stood and cheered him at the conclusion of what could well be his final appearance at Dolphin Stadium.

Head down, Maddux just kept going, no doubt wondering how much longer he can keep outsmarting the guys with the bats in their hands.

Tigers recall Willis

The Detroit Tigers recalled Dontrelle Willis from his minor league rehabilitation assignment, meaning the injured left-hander — who is recovering from a hyperextended right knee — will stay with the team .

Willis, who went on the 15-day disabled list on April 12, will throw on the side later in the week before the Tigers decide what to do next.

In two starts before he got hurt, Willis posted a 7.20 ERA in just five innings without receiving a decision.

Clearing the bases

Struggling pitcher Ian Kennedy was sent to the minor leagues by the New York Yankees. Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A after going 0-2 with an 8.37 ERA in six games, including five starts … Anthony Reyes was demoted to the minor leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals after sputtering in a relief role with a 5.27 ERA. The 26-year-old Reyes was once considered the team’s top prospect and will start for Triple-A Memphis. … Kansas City Royals left-hander John Bale, already on the disabled list due to a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team’s hotel Friday night in Cleveland.