Notebook: Embattled Barrett traded to Padres

The Chicago Cubs traded embattled catcher Michael Barrett and cash to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday for backup catcher Rob Bowen and minor league outfielder Kyler Burke.

Barrett, batting .256 with nine homers and 29 RBIs, has had problems on defense and also been involved in two dugout exchanges this month with Cubs pitchers.

He and Carlos Zambrano got into a skirmish in the dugout June 1 and it carried over into the clubhouse where Barrett got a black eye and needed stitches in his lip.

Less than two weeks later, Barrett and pitcher Rich Hill had a verbal exchange in the dugout during a game against the Seattle Mariners.

Barrett, who signed a $12 million, three-year deal in January 2005, has a $4.4 million salary this year and will be eligible for free agency after this season.

Damon still hurting

Johnny Damon might be headed to the disabled list for the first time in his career.

The New York Yankees’ designated hitter and former center fielder has been bothered since last week by a strained abdominal muscle, which he aggravated Tuesday while taking cuts in the batting cage at Coors Field.

Clearing the bases

Facing a deadline of today, lawyers neared an agreement that would lead to a meeting between Jason Giambi and steroids investigator George Mitchell. Attorneys for Major League Baseball and the players’ union negotiated for a third straight day to work out a deal. … Houston pitcher Chad Qualls was suspended for three games and fined $3,000 by Major League Baseball, two days after he threw a baseball into the stands during a game against the Los Angeles Angels. … Florida right-hander Anibal Sanchez will undergo exploratory arthroscopic shoulder surgery today. … Boston starter Curt Schilling is headed to the disabled list because of soreness in his right shoulder, though an exam found no major damage. Schilling will be placed on the 15-day DL when the Red Sox get to San Diego on Friday for the start of a weekend series. … Wilfredo Ledezma was acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the Detroit Tigers for Macay McBride in a swap of left-handed pitchers. … Milton Bradley was activated from his third stint on the disabled list this season, back in the starting lineup at right field for the Oakland Athletics. … The Cleveland Indians cut right-hander Roberto Hernandez, placed outfielder David Dellucci on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Ben Francisco and right-hander Edward Mujica from Triple-A Buffalo. … Andy MacPhail was hired as president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles, two days after the last-place team fired manager Sam Perlozzo. … Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Jason Schmidt had season-ending shoulder surgery and is not expected to return until spring training 2008.