BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Baylor, Umpire Air Things Out

Don Baylor, manager of the Colorado Rockies, and umpire Charlie Williams held a pregame meeting Saturday night to settle their differences in the wake of Baylor’s ejection by Williams 24 hours earlier.

Friday night, Williams wadded up Baylor’s lineup card and threw it on the ground, triggering the ejection of the manager before the start of a game with San Francisco.

“He baited me,” Baylor said. “It was premeditated. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he did it.”

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Texas Ranger catcher Ivan Rodriguez says he plans to return from facial surgery by early next week so he can play in a big series against the Chicago White Sox. “I want to play in that series,” the All-Star said Friday after undergoing surgery to elevate a fractured bone between his left eye socket and ear. “We have to win that series, and I want to be in the lineup.” . . . The New York Yankees optioned outfielder Hensley Meulens to Columbus of the International League to clear a roster spot for left-hander Paul Assenmacher.