BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Cardinals’ Bryn Smith on Disabled List

The St. Louis Cardinals lost their third player in as many games, putting right-hander Bryn Smith on the 15-day disabled list a day after he had to leave his first start with stiffness in his right elbow.

Smith is the eighth St. Louis player to go on the disabled list. Second baseman Jose Oquendo dislocated his shoulder diving for a ground ball in Monday’s opener and first baseman Andres Galarraga cracked a bone in his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch on Tuesday.

Roger Clemens might miss his next start Monday in Boston’s home opener because of an injured finger on his pitching hand, the team doctor said Thursday. Clemens dislocated a joint on his right pinky during pregame exercises Tuesday. . . . Shawn Hillegas, who last weekend rejected a waiver claim by the Toronto Blue Jays, agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. Hillegas was 3-4 with seven saves and a 4.34 ERA last season for Cleveland in three starts and 48 relief appearances. . . . National League umpire Eric Gregg has not started working this season because of recurring ankle problems, the league said.