Phillips To Rejoin Angels, May Play

Just when it seemed as if the Anaheim Angels were in perfect position for a run at their first playoff spot in 11 years, leadoff hitter Tony Phillips was arrested for investigation of cocaine possession.

What happens next for Phillips and the Angels is uncertain, but it appears the fiery infielder-outfielder will be with the team tonight when it opens a seven-game road trip in Chicago.

“Tony is scheduled to rejoin the team in Chicago,” Angels director of communications Bill Robertson said Monday. “What we need to do is let the legal process run its course, and we will reserve judgment until all the facts are compiled and reviewed.”

When asked if Phillips would play against the White Sox, Robertson said, “That’s up to our baseball operations.”

Manager Terry Collins had said Sunday night that Phillips would play.

Phillips, 38, was arrested early Sunday morning by Anaheim police, who said he bought a small quantity of free base cocaine.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and decide what charges, if any, should be filed.

Everett’s children to remain in custody

Two of New York Mets outfielder Carl Everett’s children will remain in a foster home until at least Wednesday, a Family Court judge in New York said Monday.

Judge Richard Berman also rejected Everett’s request that his 4-year-old son, Carl, and 5-year-old daughter, Shawna, be placed with family members.

In court, Administration for Children’s Services attorney Karen Kolomechuk told the judge that Shawna wanted to remain with the foster family, where she has been staying. The name of the family was not disclosed because of Family Court privacy restrictions.

The children were taken into custody Thursday after a child care worker at Shea Stadium noticed bruises on Shawna.

Police said they found no evidence to charge Everett or his wife with any crime, but because the children were already remanded into the custody of child welfare authorities, a hearing was required before the children could be returned to their parents. No bruises were found on the boy.

The judge said in making his decision he considered the need to keep the children together and an Everett family member’s testimony that she had never seen bruises on Shawna, which troubled him because of allegations to the contrary.

Red Sox officials eye new home

Boston Red Sox officials say they would like to see a new Fenway Park building in South Boston, but the city says it likes the 85-year-old park right where it is.

John Harrington, chief executive of the Red Sox, says enlarging and renovating Fenway Park would be too costly.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino says Fenway is too much of a Boston institution to abandon for a new site.

“If you exchange Fenway Park for a newer facility, and it doesn’t have a similar identity or romanticism, then you’ve given up something. Is it measurable? I don’t know,” said Thomas O’Brien, director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Whiten decision delayed

The Milwaukee District Attorney’s office likely won’t decide “for a couple of days” if it will charge New York Yankees outfielder Mark Whiten in the alleged sexual assault of a 31-year-old woman, a spokeswoman for the office said.