Rodriguez won’t get short porch

NOTES

Babe Ruth got a short right-field porch in the original Yankee Stadium. Alex Rodriguez won’t be getting similar assistance in New York’s new $800 million ballpark.

“A-Rod doesn’t need any help,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said as the team unveiled plans for the ballpark it hopes to move into in 2009.

“I don’t think the Yankees did right by Babe Ruth when he was here,” he said, speaking of how the team treated the legend at the end of his career. “We’ll be better with A-Rod when he gets ready to retire.”

Steinbrenner also appeared to anoint son-in-law Steve Swindal as his successor.

“I think it’s very important to the whole family and Steve, who’s going to carry on,” Steinbrenner said. “I think it’s important to him to do something great for New York.”

Grievance hearing begins

The first grievance hearing stemming from baseball’s toughened steroids policy started, with players’ association lawyers trying to overturn the 10-day suspension of Texas minor leaguer Agustin Montero.

Montero is trying to regain lost salary after already serving the suspension.

Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez, Colorado outfielder Jorge Piedra and Seattle outfielder Jamal Strong also were suspended for 10 days but did not file grievances.

Clearing the bases

Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Glenn Hoffman, 46, was taken to a hospital for tests after being struck in the head by a ball during batting practice. X-rays were negative. … Dodgers closer Eric Gagne went on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained ligament in his right elbow, the same problem that sidelined him the first 35 games of the season. … Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown left his start against Pittsburgh because of back spasms. … San Francisco first baseman J.T. Snow left the game against Minnesota after being hit by a pitch. … Kansas City first baseman Mike Sweeney left the game against Los Angeles with an apparent injury to his left hand or wrist. … Alan Nero, the agent for Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella, is scheduled to meet with team management today. Piniella criticized the club’s new ownership last Sunday for not doing enough to field a competitive team this season.